Hona is a descendant of Tūhoe, Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Te Whakatōhea and Tūwharetoa. He was raised speaking te reo Māori, is a graduate of Kōhanga Reo and Kura Kaupapa Māori. He is now a Senior Lecturer at Te Pūtahi a Toi, Massey University. His work and research focus primarily on te reo Māori and reawakening its use in multiple domains and modes. He has published two books focusing on te reo Māori titled He Iti te Kupu: Māori Metaphors and Similes, and Te Reo Kapekape: Māori wit and humour, with a third to be released this year.

Instagram