No entries for Maori book prize

National Book Awards Maori language category judge Paul Diamond. Photo / Supplied

A $10,000 Maori book prize will not be awarded this year after no entries were submitted in the National Book Awards' Maori language category.

Judge Paul Diamond said it was disappointing, and a sign that few books were being written in Maori for adults.

"My vision for the future is to see Te Reo fiction in every bookshop in the country," Mr Diamond said. "Let's see Te Reo 'chick-lit', Te Reo mystery series and thrillers. It would be great to also see Te Reo cookbooks, histories, biographies and more."

The Maori Language Award was introduced in 2008 and this year the prize money for it was doubled to $10,000.

- NZPA