A black and white photo of author Hona Black, with a background collage of books.
Hona Black is a prolific author of Māori language books and the first professor of te reo Māori at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington.

Booksabout 11 hours ago

‘Read, read, read’: Hona Black’s advice to us all

A black and white photo of author Hona Black, with a background collage of books.
Hona Black is a prolific author of Māori language books and the first professor of te reo Māori at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington.

Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits of Aotearoa writers, and guests. This week: author of He Kete Kīwaha: A Practical Guide to Māori Idioms, Hona Black.

The book I wish I’d written

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. I’ve always thought it’s an imaginative book and would be great translated into Māori one day.

The book everyone should read

Everyday. I know that’s not a book, but I think reading is so important! Find what you like and read, read, read. 

The book I want to be buried with

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. I might need it.  

The first book I remember reading by myself

Pārera, Pārera. My kuia, Peti Nohotima, wrote it and the main character was my older brother. There was another child in the book in the background (not mentioned in the text), and I used to think and pretend that it was me!

Fiction or non-fiction

I enjoy both and it depends on my mood. But I probably read more non-fiction than fiction. But if I get a good novel, they can be hard to put down.

Three book covers descending.
From left to right: The book Black wishes he’d written; the book he’d be buried with; and his own latest publication just in time for Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori.

It’s a crime against language to…

… us the wrong their/there.

The book that made me cry

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. The last chapter was a tear jerker. I read the whole book in a day.

The book that made me laugh

I loved the translation by Heni Jacob of The Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Te Rātaka a Tama Hūngoingoi. The language and the content in it made for enjoyable reading. 

Greatest New Zealand writer

Ani Mikaere is one of my favourite writers. I’m drawn to the clarity of her writing, and to the way she challenges deeply embedded assumptions and challenges us to see the world through a distinctly Māori lens.

A photo of author Ani Mikaere who is standing outside and wearing a black sleeveless top. She has short hair and is smiling. Beside the photo is the cover of Ani's book.
Ani Mikaere, Black’s favourite Aotearoa writer.

Best thing about reading

It can be imaginative or informative or both. But either way, it’s an expansive experience. It allows you to enter worlds and ways of thinking beyond your own.

Best place to read

Away from people. Often on holiday is best!

What I’m reading right now

Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed. It’s a fascinating book about the importance of having diversity when dealing with complex issues.

He Kete Kīwaha: A Practical Guide to Māori Idioms by Hona Black ($45, Oratia Media) is available to purchase from Unity Books.

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