No Māori Language Award in 2010

Radio NZ - National (National New Zealand)
Morning Report - 27/07/2010 - 08:52 AM
Interviewee: Paul Diamond, Teo Reo Advisor, New Zealand Post Book Awards

Mentions: Katerina Mataira, Kindle; Maori Dictionary; Maori TV; Robin Barge, Huia Publishing

There will be no Māori Language Award given this year in the country’s most prestigious book awards – the New Zealand Post Book Awards - as there were no books submitted into that category; a sign, says Te Reo advisor and Awards’ judge, Paul Diamond that there are still very few books being written or published for adults in Māori.

Mr Diamond further commented that while it was disappointing there were no submissions this year, he knows of ground-breaking works currently in production that, given the research and expertise involved, have a long gestation period.

‘There are clear signs that writing in te reo Māori is flourishing in other areas, especially writing for film, television and publishing on the web. The Māori Language Award aims to foster and celebrate books in Te Reo and to show publishers that there is support for them.

‘I anticipate the market for books written in Te Reo for adults will grow exponentially with the next generation of fluent Te Reo speakers.

‘My vision for the future is to see Te Reo fiction in every bookshop in the country. Let’s see Te Reo ‘chick-lit’, Te Reo mystery series’ and thrillers. It would be great to also see Te Reo cookbooks, histories, biographies and more.’