Here are the best short stories by adults and young people and poetry from the Pikihuia Awards for Maori writers 2025. This competition, run by the Maori Literature Trust and Huia Publishers, is held every two years to promote Maori writers and their work. This year, the awards sought writing in te reo Maori and English in the categories of poetry and of short stories (fiction and non-fiction) by adults and students in Years 7–13. The competition attracts entries each year from a variety of writers, from those who are starting out to seasoned authors. This collection of finalists’ work celebrates Maori writing, introduces new talent and gives an opportunity for Maori writers to shine.