Pania Tahau-Hodges is a dedicated advocate for Māori storytelling and language revitalisation. With a career spanning nearly three decades in publishing, she has played a pivotal role in amplifying Māori narratives as a publisher, author, content developer and editor.
As a director at Huia Publishers, an award-winning Indigenous publishing house based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Pania is committed to fostering the full and unbridled potential of Māori and Indigenous storytelling. She is deeply invested in creating spaces where Māori voices are celebrated and ensuring that literature reflects the rich tapestry of Aotearoa. Her work at Huia is driven by a passion for supporting marginalised voices and championing stories that empower Māori communities.
Beyond publishing, Pania is a passionate author who crafts stories that resonate with Māori readers of all ages. Her writing explores themes of identity, culture, and the lived experiences of Māori whānau. She believes in the transformative power of books to inspire, educate, and connect people. This passion is deeply personal—her father, a native speaker of te reo Māori, was punished for speaking his language at school. His experiences fuel her commitment to Māori language revitalisation.
Her children's books, Mokopuna Matatini: The Greatest Haka Festival celebrate Te Matatini, the world's largest Māori performing arts festival. Inspired by her love for kapa haka, Pania wrote the story to ensure tamariki Māori see themselves reflected in literature—an experience she longed for in her own childhood.
Throughout her career, Pania has embraced opportunities to elevate Māori storytelling on a global stage. A highlight was her prestigious publishing internship in Germany, facilitated by the Publishers Association of New Zealand, the Frankfurt Book Fair, and Creative New Zealand. This experience broadened her perspective on international publishing and strengthened her advocacy for Indigenous literature.
At the heart of her mahi is a deep connection to her whakapapa and a lifelong commitment to ensuring Māori stories are heard, valued, and celebrated.
Links:
Huia profile: Pania Tahau-Hodges
Author overcomes father's fear of te reo Māori backlash through children's book
Auckland Writers Festival profile: Pania Tahu-Hodges
New book commemorates 50 years of striving for excellence in kapa haka
Co Author with Huia Publishing: Te Kirihimete i Whakakorea Huia Publishers
3 April 2025
