He iwi

Tu Tangata, Issue 20, 1 October 1984, Page 16

He iwi

by Huia Wilson

Tu Tangata readers shouldn’t be surprised to learn that the Okarito whitebaiter and occasional writer, Keri Hulme, has netted an international prize. She’s won the first Pegasus prize for maori literature and gets a free trip to the States promoting “The Bone People” her fictional narrative about maori and pakeha identity. The prize is something she didn't expect to win. “I had a bet with a friend that Hemi Potatau would win,” she says.

She was ready to clap for one of the other finalists when her name was called. “It took me the better part of the day to understand I had won,” she says. After receiving her prize money and gold medal in Rotorua (July) Keri returned to the quiet solitude of her selfmade home to whitebait, paint and write. While she is back at Okorito, down south, she will be working on her next book called “Bait”. “It’s about whitebait and people,” she says and she hopes to finish it next year. The Pegasus competition drew 25 entries which was shortlisted to four finalists. The finalists included one ' established writer and two new authors, plus Keri. Patricia Grace is an established writer and a collection of short stories called “Waiariki” gained her a place as one of the finalists. This was only one of the works she submitted but the judges felt "it was far

superior to anything else presented to us by her”. One of the new authors to hit the literary scene is Apirana Taylor. His short story collection titled “He Rau Aroha” helped him make his mark as a writer. The judges felt he was among the most promising maori writers and that he is the man to watch in the next few years as he is only beginning to show the talent he posseses. Apirana is not only talented with literature but is also a member of the maori theatre group “Te Ohu Whakaari”.

The most interesting work to be submitted to the competition was the first biography in maori. Written by Rev Hemi Potatau it is titled, “Ko Nga Maumaharatanga O Te Rev Hemi Potatau.” This book is particularly his experience in the war, in the army and his exploits as an army intelligence officer. It also includes his work in the maori mission of the Presbyterian Church and his experiences with several universities. The judges regarded it as an outstanding contribution to maori literature.