Here are the best short stories by adults and young people and poetry from the Pikihuia Awards for Māori writers 2025. This competition, run by the Māori Literature Trust and Huia Publishers, is held every two years to promote Māori writers and their work. This year, the awards sought writing in te reo Māori 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 Māori writing, introduces new talent and gives an opportunity for Māori writers to shine.