The first ever Māori journalism award has been won by Newshub reporter Maiki Sherman at the Ngā Kupu Ora Awards.
Ngā Kupu Ora Award winners: back row, from left - Dr Rangihiroa Pānoho, Scotty Morrison, Danny Keenan, Iulia Leilua; front row, from left - Maiki Sherman, Patricia Grace, Ani Mikaere (on behalf of Jessica Hutchings), Tini Molyneux Photo: Supplied
The annual awards, which have celebrated Māori and books for the past eight years, included categories for Māori journalists for the first time.
Ms Sherman was named Māori journalist of the year last night, for stories she produced for Māori Television shows Te Kāea and Native Affairs.
A special award to honour the memory of veteran Māori broadcaster Whai Ngata was also announced, while Te Tohu a Tanara Whairiri Kitawhiti Ngata (Lifetime Achievement Award) went to longtime TVNZ reporter and Marae producer Tini Molyneux.
Massey University assistant vice-chancellor Māori and Pasifika Dr Selwyn Katene said the new categories were a success and the journalism awards were here to stay.
In the book categories, the Te Reo Māori award went to broadcaster Scotty Morrison for his latest book Māori Made Easy, while Patricia Grace won the Te Tuhinga Auaha (Creative Writing) category for her novel, Chappy.
Danny Keenan won the Te Kōrero o Mua/Te Haurongo (History/Biography) for his book, Te Whiti o Rongomai and the Resistance of Parihaka.
The art category went to Māori Art: History, Architecture, Landscape and Theory by Dr Rangihiroa Pānoho.
The non-fiction section was won by Jessica Hutchings for Te Mahi Māra Hua Parakore: A Māori Sovereignty Food Handbook.