Ko Wai a Awa Wahine?

Tautoko the creativity of wāhine Māori.

Awa Wahine is a wāhine-centred platform amplifying Indigenous creativity through stories, art, and whakaaro—created to be read slowly and held gently.

We are dedicated to supporting Indigenous creators by building confidence, care, and space to express themselves creatively. While Awa Wahine predominantly publishes wāhine Māori, we also publish non-Māori wāhine whose work reflects shared values of integrity, connection, and lived experience.

Our mission is to create meaningful publishing opportunities for wāhine, while holding space for takatāpui voices aligned with the kaupapa. We envision a world where wāhine voices—particularly wāhine Māori—are heard, respected, and celebrated on their own terms.

Our Values

Abstract illustration of a seated person surrounded by leaves and plants, in a brown color scheme.

HOUTUPU
Genuine & Authentic

Abstract art of a person with a bird

TŪHONONGA
Connection

Abstract illustration of a nude figure with flowing hair surrounded by leaves and a sun symbol.

WHAKAMANAWA
Confidence & Encouragement

Abstract illustration featuring an outlined figure of a seated person, stylized shapes of an ear, pear, flowers, a wine glass, and decorative swirls, all in dark purple.

AROHA
Compassion

Abstract illustration of a stylized figure sitting with leaves, a stack of stones, and a large mallet.

AUAHA
Create & Shape

Meet the Whānau

Get to know our whānau, and please reach out if you would like to speak to any of us.

Reach Out
Woman leaning on wooden railing outdoors, wearing a black t-shirt with a graphic design featuring a figure and a yellow sun.

  • KAIWHAKAHAERE MĀTUA

    Ko Whakarara, Ko Rangiuru ngā maunga

    Ko Matauri te moana i te Tai Tokerau

    Ko Kaituna te awa i te rohe whenua o Te Arawa

    Ko Mātaatua, Ko Te Arawa ngā waka

    Ko Ngāpuhi, Ko Tapuika ngā iwi

    Ko Ngāti Kura, Ko Ngāti Marukukere ngā hapu

    Ko Ataria Sharman tōku ingoa

    Ataria Sharman is a freelance writer and editor. She is the creator of the boutique press Awa Wahine and was formerly the editor of the arts and culture journal The Pantograph Punch. Huia published her children’s novel Hine and the Tohunga Portal in 2021, a finalist in the 2022 New Zealand Book Awards for Youth and Children.

Person speaking into a microphone indoors, holding papers.

  • KAIWĀWĀHI TOIKUPU

    Ko Ōkahuatiu te maunga
    Ko Waikākāriki te awa
    Ko Rongopai te marae
    Ko Kaikoreaunei te tipuna
    Ko Te Whānau a Kai te iwi
    Tihei, mauri ora!

    Sinead Overbye (Te Whānau a Kai, Ngāti Porou) is a historian, researcher and writer who lives in Wellington. She is the co-author of Stasis Magazine. Her poetry, essays and stories have been published with Starling, Sport, Turbine Kapohau, The Pantograph Punch, RNZ and other places.

    Image credit: Rebecca McMillan Photography

Person with blue and purple hair, wearing glasses and a pendant necklace.

  • KAIWHAKATIKA

    Ko Tūtoko te mauka
    Ko Makaawhio te awa
    Ko Uruao te waka
    Ko Kati Mahaaki ki Makaawhio te hapū
    Ko Kāti Māmoe me Kāi Tahu ngā iwi
    Ko Te Tauraka Waka a Māui te marae
    Ko Te Koeti Tūranga te tipuna
    Ko Cassie Hart toku ikoa

    Cassie Hart is an award-winning writer and editor of primarily speculative fiction. She resides in beautiful Taranaki with her family.

A woman holding a baby outdoors with a backyard in the background. Both are wearing dark clothing, and the woman has glasses and long hair.

  • KAIWHAKAERE WHAKAAKO

    Ko Whakarara, Ko Rangiuru ngā maunga

    Ko Matauri te moana i te Tai Tokerau

    Ko Kaituna te awa i te rohe whenua o Te Arawa

    Ko Mātaatua, Ko Te Arawa ngā waka

    Ko Ngāpuhi, Ko Tapuika ngā iwi

    Ko Ngāti Kura, Ko Ngāti Marukukere ngā hapu

    Ko Paddy Monaghan tōku hoa tāne

    Ko Hōhepa Monaghan taku tama

    Ko Hera Monaghan ahau

    Hera Monaghan is a māmā and kaiako who enjoys free writing in her journal and writing poetry. She teaches tamariki aged 5-12 years.