Eight Bay of Plenty writers are among the record entrants in this year's Pikihuia Awards for Maori Writers, whose winners will be announced in September.

The competition was launched in 1995 by Huia Publishers in Wellington. It aims to identify and foster Maori writing talent, both in Maori and English languages.
Huia Publishers managing director Robyn Bargh says this year's rise in entries is dramatic – a 40 per cent increase in entries for the short story and novel categories and a 60 per cent increase in the short film category.
'We've seen a lot of new names and fresh faces this year. That's exciting for a Maori publisher,” says Robyn.
This year's finalists include 14 finalists from Wellington, eight from the Bay of Plenty (Rotorua, Rotoiti, Tauranga and Kawerau), seven from Gisborne, three from Auckland, two from the Waikato and one each from Christchurch, Palmerston North, Whangarei, Havelock North, Hawera and Foxton.
Past winners and finalists include Paula Morris, James George and Kelly Ana Morey.
This year's judges include broadcaster Julian Wilcox, filmmaker Rhonda Kite and award-winning authors David Geary and Briar Grace-Smith – a former Pikihuia finalist.
The launch of Huia Short Stories 8 and winners of this year's Pikihuia Awards will be at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa on September 12, 2009.

Finalists in the short story in English category
Jacquie McRae (Tainui), Wellsford
Rob Tuwhare (Nga Puhi), Auckland
Ann French (Nga Puhi), Tauranga
Puna Heremaia (Taranaki, Te Atiawa, Ngati Awa), Rotoiti
Raschel-Miette (Nga Puhi), Gisborne
Glenis Philip-Barbara (Ngati Porou), Gisborne
Robert Madden (Ngati Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki), Gisborne, with two entries
Kim Torrez (Ngati Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki), Gisborne
Wendy French (Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki, Ngati Awa), Palmerston North
Whai Conroy (Te Arawa, Ngati Kahungunu), Porirua City
K-T Harrison (Waikato, Hauraki), Porirua City, with two entries
Justine Murray (Ngai Te Rangi, Ngati Ranginui), Wellington
Charlie Holland (Ngati Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki), Wellington
Kelly Joseph (Ngati Maniapoto), Kapiti Coast, with three entries
Piripi Evans (Ngati Mutunga, Ngai Tahu), Wellington
Tina Makereti (Tuwharetoa, Te Arawa), Kapiti Coast
Peter Waaka (Tuhourangi, Ngati Wahiao), Queenstown

Finalists in the Novel Extract category
Paul Gilbert (Ngai Tahu), Hamilton
Ann French (Nga Puhi), Tauranga
Marama Salsano (Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki, Tuhoe), Gisborne
K-T Harrison (Waikato, Hauraki), Porirua City
Rawinia Parata (Ngati Porou, Ngai Tahu), Wellington

Finalists in the Maori Language Short Story category
Ruihapounamu Ruwhiu (Te Whanau-a-Apanui, Nga Puhi, Ngati Awa), Rotorua
Morehu Nikora (Ngai Tamanuhiri, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki), Gisborne, with three entries
Michael Ross (Ngati Haua), Lower Hutt
Charisma Rangipunga (Kai Tahu, Taranaki, Ngati Kahungunu), Christchurch

Finalists in the Short Film in English category
Hamish Bennett (Te Arawa), Auckland
Noema Khalia Watene (Ngati Kahungunu, Nga Puhi), Ngaruawahia
Kylie-Marama Meehan (Ngati Maniapoto), Tauranga
Ranui Taiapa (Ngati Porou), Wellington
Nathaniel Hinde (Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Porou), Wellington

Finalists in the Secondary Schools category
Moria Awatea Holdaway-Howard (Nga Puhi), Whangarei
Tyler Edwardson (Te Whakatohea, Te Whanau-a-Apanui), Kawerau
Manita Grant (Te Arawa, Te Whakatohea, Te Whanau-a-Apanui), Rotorua
Makuini Warbrick (Tuhourangi, Ngati Wahiao), Rotorua
Hanareia Ehau-Taumaunu (Ngati Pohatu, Ngati Porou, Te Atiawa, Ngati Mutunga), Gisborne
Tarapuhi Bryers Brown (Ngati Raukawa ki te Tonga, Uenuku, Ngati Rangi), Havelock North
Summer James (Ngatitara), Hawera
Jacqui Robinson (Ngati Raukawa), Foxton
Tihema Baker (Ngati Raukawa), Otaki, with two entries
KahuRangi Tapiata Watene (Te Arawa, Ngati Porou), Wellington
Charlizza Harris (Ngati Kahurangi, Ngati Porou), Upper Hutt.