Global Recognition for Māori Storytelling: Six Huia Titles Join the Inaugural IBBY-UNESCO Collection
Six Māori-language children’s books from Huia Publishers have been selected for the inaugural IBBY–UNESCO Collection of Remarkable Books for Young Readers in Indigenous and Endangered Languages, to be officially presented on 6 August 2026 at the 40th IBBY World Congress in Ottawa, Canada. ‘HUIA’s books are among the finest examples of Indigenous children’s literature being published anywhere in the world,’ Dr Michelle H Martin (Beverley Cleary Professor for Children & Youth Services, University of Washington) said following the announcement.
The six selected titles are:
Kua Whetūrangitia a Koro
Mokopuna Matatini
Te Pohū
Hineraukatauri me te Ara Pūoro
Tiare Tangaroa me te Taipō Moana
Ngā Ngeru
The IBBY–UNESCO Collection has been established to recognise outstanding children’s books published in Indigenous and endangered languages and to support the global goals of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. The selected books will become part of the permanent collection housed at UNESCO headquarters in Paris and will feature in international exhibitions, including Frankfurt Book Fair and the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
The nominations were submitted by the University of Waikato, whose children’s literature research continues to highlight the importance of Indigenous language publishing and multilingual literature. Professor Nicola Daly, University of Waikato, said, ‘Children’s literature has an important role in strengthening language, identity and belonging. Seeing six HUIA titles recognised by IBBY and UNESCO demonstrates the quality of Māori-language publishing and its contribution to linguistic diversity internationally. These books not only enrich children’s reading experiences but also contribute to the revitalisation and visibility of te reo Māori on the global stage.’
This year, NeilsonIQ BookData reported a third consecutive year of growth in Māori-language publishing in Aotearoa. Reading and literacy are fundamental to a healthy democracy, and IBBY has long championed every child’s right to see their language and identity reflected in books. For 35 years, Huia Publishers has shared that commitment, publishing stories that strengthen te reo Māori and celebrate Māori story sovereignty. ‘This is recognition of the talented writers, illustrators and translators who entrust us with their stories. Our tamariki [children] see themselves, read their language and know that their stories stand alongside the world’s finest children’s books,’ said Eboni Waitere, Director of Huia Publishers. Melena Cole-Manolis, Editor at Magabala Books, Australia’s leading First Nations publishing house, echoed this, saying, ‘Six titles in the inaugural IBBY–UNESCO Collection is not simply an achievement for one publisher—it is a testament to what becomes possible when Indigenous communities invest in their own languages, stories and creators.’
Researchers from the University of Waikato Children’s and Young Adult Literature programme and representatives of HUIA will be in Ottawa to celebrate the official launch of the IBBY–UNESCO Collection.
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