The Ngā Kupu Ora Māori Book Awards winners for 2011 have been announced, ahead of the presentation ceremony on 29 November at Te Pūtahi-a-toi/School of Māori Studies.

Māori Information Services Librarian/Kaiwhakarato Pārongo Sheeanda Field has been involved in organising the awards from the first year in 2009, and was on the judging panel this year.

"More and more Māori are writing so it is good to be able to recognise Māori authorship with the Book Awards," she said. "I was honoured to be a part of the process and judging for the books this year."

Massey News article: First Fiction Winner at Ngā Kupu Ora Māori Book Awards

Massey University Library carried high hopes into the the finals of the 3M Innovation in Libraries Award - taking two of the three finalist positions. Unfortunately it wasn't to be our year, with the overall winner being Upper Hutt City Libraries and their programme called “A Library Book in Every Bag”.

Spencer Lilley and Sheeanda Field, library Mâori Services staff, gained second place for developing the Ngâ Kupu Ora Mâori Book Awards. Heather Lamond, head of Distance Library Service, gained third place for the library’s sustainable strategic approach to online tutorials.

Our colleagues won't be returning empty handed however - Spencer and Sheeanda received a grant for professional development and Heather received a hamper of 3M products.

The award is presented annually by the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA) and 3M to the most innovative and entrepreneurial projects in New Zealand libraries.

Congratulations to our colleagues at Upper Hutt City Libraries!

The Ngā Kupu Ora Book Awards helped Massey to win first place in the national Māori Language Awards presented last Saturday night at Rotorua.

Massey's entry consisted of several initiatives from across the university that celebrated Te Wiki o te Māori (Māori Language Week) this year, including the Ngā Kupu Ora Book Awards initiated by the Library, and the 'kōrero kawhe' card which particularly impressed the judges.

Massey News article: Massey wins national Māori language awards

Massey librarians have taken out two of the three finalist spots in the national 3M Innovation in Libraries Award.

Spencer Lilley and Sheeanda Field, library Māori Services staff, were shortlisted for developing the Ngā Kupu Ora Māori Book Awards. Heather Lamond, head of Distance Library Service, is a finalist for the library’s sustainable strategic approach to online tutorials.

The award is presented annually by the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA) and 3M to the most innovative and entrepreneurial projects in New Zealand libraries.

John Redmayne, University Librarian, says that Massey University Library’s prominence in this year’s awards is unprecedented.

“It’s a very pleasing reflection on the hard work and talent of our library staff,” he says.

Above: Sheeanda Field, Spencer Lilley and Heather Lamond, finalists in the 3M Innovation in Libraries Award

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The winners of the second annual Ngā Kupu Ora Māori Book Awards were presented with their awards at a ceremony on Māori Language Day, Tuesday 14 September.

The awards, started last year by the Library's Māori Services staff in response to the lack of recognition for Māori books, have become an iconic event on the Massey University calendar.

This year the Ngā Kupu Ora Māori Book Awards initiative has itself been nominated for awards. It has been shortlisted for both the 3M Innovation in Libraries Award and the Maori Language Awards.

Above: Petina Winiata, Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey, Patricia Grace, Kelvin Day, Robyn Bargh (Huia Publishers), Julie Paama-Pengelly, Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Māori and Pasifika) Professor Sir Mason Durie, Spencer Lilley, Christine Thomson (New Holland) and Brian Bargh (Huia Publishers) at the Ngā Kupu Ora Māori Book Awards.

View and request the winners' and finalists' books.

Massey News article 'Written word celebrated at Massey.'