Established in August 2000, the Māori Literature Trust was specifically set up to promote and foster the development of Māori literature.

The Trust seeks to encourage innovation and quality by awarding authors for outstanding literary achievements.

Our mission, vision and values

He Moemoeā – Our Vision

E tuhi, mai i te ao Māori ki te ao whānui
Taking New Zealand literature with a strong Maori voice to the world

Ngā Whainga – Our Mission

The Māori Literature Trust delivers programmes that promote and foster Māori literature and its place in the literature of the nation.

Ngā Uaratanga – Our Values

Tikanga Māori
We are always guided by our own cultural values, tikanga Māori and Mātauranga Māori.

Tū Mai
We encourage Māori writers to stand tall as Māori.

Whakatupu
We seek to grow the skills, opportunities, and confidence of Māori writers.

Whakawhanaungatanga
We encourage Māori writers to support each other and become a strong force within the literary community of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our logo

The new logo was designed by Raymond Hohipa of Tūhoe and Kahungunu decent. He was inspired by the traditional quill which was one of the most important inventions to writing. It allowed us to record our histories, ideas and discoveries. Prior to the quill a small number of talented people carved as way of communicating, the quill transformed the way in which people connected and made communication more accessible to the multitudes who were now able to document their ideas and art.

The two koru shapes represent both the writers and the readers. The interdependences between the readers and the writers are critically important to successful story telling.

The term Pikihuia has also been adopted to celebrate the writers awards. Pikihuia, the symbol of the plume, represents quality and continuous improvement, these important characteristics are valued by the Trust.

Finally the feather acknowledges the bond between the Māori Literature Trust and Huia publishers who use the Huia bird as their symbol.