He Kete Kiwaha

Hona Black

Invaluable guide to more than 180 kiwaha (idioms) that can enrich te reo Maori speakers and learners at all levels

Plus He Iti te Kupu and Nga Hapa Reo, Maori editions

Kia hiwa ra, kia hiwa ra!

Idioms — the everyday turns of phrase that give a language its character — are a key part of speaking fluently, and te reo Maori is rich in them.

This collection, whose title translates as ‘a basket of idioms’, is the first book on Maori kiwaha in more than 25 years, and the first bilingual one.

Released on 10 September, just in time for Te Wiki o te Reo Maori – Maori Language Week, which starts on Monday 14th.

Drawing on extensive research and consultation with te reo experts including Sir Timoti Karetu and Te Haumihiata Mason, newly appointed professor of te reo Maori Hona Black offers a comprehensive guide to more than 180 idioms — presented in Maori on the left-hand pages, English on the right.

Using one, two or three kete symbols, He Kete Kiwaha grades each idiom for difficulty so readers can access language to suit their level.

In addition to clear explanations, each entry has examples from written sources and others created by the author. There are also spaces for readers to add their own idioms to the mix.

As Hona Black writes in the introduction: ‘Above all, the hope is that this book will be of value to those who aspire to weave Maori idioms naturally into their language use.’