NZSA Kaituhi Māori Mentorship Programme

By The New Zealand Society of Authors | Posted: Friday Mar 28, 2025

Applications close 10 April 2025

The Kaituhi Māori Mentor Programme gives emerging writers who whakapapa Māori the opportunity to work closely with an acclaimed Māori writer as their mentor to hone their tuhituhi ability and, in the process, evolve and refine a work toward a publishable state.  

NZSA welcome kaituhi who write in te reo Māori and/or te reo Pākehā, in the genre of fiction or short fiction, on any topic(s). NZSA welcome kaituhi of all ages – from rangatahi to kaumātua.   

Over a period of up to six months, this programme provides opportunities to discuss ideas and issues – practical and editorial – and benefit from the experience, mōhio and mana of experienced kaituhi Māori. It is designed to help aspiring kaituhi Māori develop further skills to sustain and strengthen them throughout their future career.  

Modelled on a tuakana-teina relationship, this kaupapa aims to offer a safe and supportive space for emerging kaituhi to develop their craft; gain encouragement and accountability, along with substantive feedback. 

As well as mentorship, part of this programme is to provide constructive suggestions for the refinement of a work in progress.   

This programme aims to support the amplification of Māori voices, Māori stories, and ultimately see greater publication and performance of these works.   

There were four (4) mentorships for kaituhi Māori available annually.

Find out more and apply: NZSA Kaituhi Māori Mentorship Programme | New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc) Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa