Hona Black

Nga Hapa Reo, the latest work by the renowned Hona Black and co-author Te Aorangi Murphy-Fell, comes as a crucial resource amidst the surging interest in te reo Māori. This book continues the legacy of insightful linguistic guides such as Te Reo Kapekape (2023) and He Iti te Kupu (2021), becoming an essential companion for both learners and fluent speakers...

Following on from the successful He Iti te Kupu: Maori Metaphors and Similes, Hona Black's new book explores the rich vein of humour in Maori life. Want to know how to call a silly person a 'roro hipi / sheep's brain', or tell someone to get stuffed in te reo Maori? The answers are all in Te Reo Kapekape (literally,...

Idioms – the everyday turns of phrase that give a language its character – are a key part of speaking fluently, and te reo Māori is rich in them. The title of this work translates into English as a basket of idioms. Drawing on extensive research and consultation with some of Aotearoa's leading reo experts – including Sir Timoti Karetu...

He Iti te Kupu contains nearly 500 sayings that draw a comparison between something (often the natural world) and people, events or contexts. This accessible guide explains the use, meaning and context of a host of the principal figures of speech in te Reo. Divided into themes, including birds of the land and sea, parts of the body, acknowledgements, animals...

Following on from the bestselling Te Reo Kapekape (2023) and He Iti te Kupu (2021), Hona Black's new book - co-authored with Te Aorangi Murphy-Fell - is an essential reference for any Māori learner or speaker. Surging interest in te reo Māori in recent years has led to a range of errors becoming common in classrooms and everyday use, many...