Māori Literature Trust
A one-on-one mentoring programme for Māori writers in Aotearoa seeking to publish their first manuscript.
Te Papa Tupu is a six-month mentoring programme run by the Māori Literature Trust, designed for Māori writers living in Aotearoa who are ready to take their manuscript to publication for the first time.
Six writers are selected each round and matched with six experienced mentors for one-on-one guidance. The programme runs from January to June 2027 and includes three compulsory workshops (a two-day opening workshop in January, plus single-day workshops in March and May), attendance at the Auckland Writers' Festival and the Sydney Writers' Festival in May 2027, monthly blog posts, and completion of a final manuscript submitted to Huia Publishers by 30 June 2027.
Who can apply?
Applicants must whakapapa Māori and be living in Aotearoa at the time of application and throughout the programme. Previous Te Papa Tupu writers are not eligible to reapply.
What can you submit?
Manuscripts may be written in te reo Māori or English and can be in any written genre, including picture books (manuscripts only — no illustrations). Work must be original, unpublished, and not under contract. Manuscripts generated or substantially drafted using AI tools are not eligible.
There is no limit on the number of manuscripts one person can submit, but each must be uploaded separately with its own entry form. Submissions must be in .docx or .pdf format, typed in 12-point font or larger, double-spaced, and paginated with the author's name and title on each page.
Key dates:
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