Tūmahi Māori by Dr Hone Waengarangi Morris

Tūmahi Māori is both a practical teaching resource and a philosophical exploration of te reo Māori. Dr Hone Waengarangi Morris, one of Aotearoa’s most experienced teachers and translators of the language, has created a book that is as much about ways of thinking as it is about grammatical form. At its core, it offers learners a framework for using verbs and particles with precision, while also guiding them toward a deeper understanding of how te reo Māori reflects a Māori worldview.

The book is structured around a clear set of verb categories. These include actions performed independently, such as walking or standing; actions directed toward others, such as helping or gathering food; intrinsic actions of the mind and body, such as thinking or feeling; passive actions where the focus shifts to the affected object; and states of being. This approach is not only pedagogically useful but also reflects the way Māori speakers have traditionally conceptualised experience. For learners accustomed to English, which often centres on the subject performing the action, this shift can be challenging but, with practise, liberating.

One of the most valuable contributions of Tūmahi Māori is its insistence on accuracy. Morris recognises that many errors in learning arise from the temptation to map English sentence structures onto Māori. Through careful explanation and plentiful examples, he demonstrates how te reo Māori follows its own logic, grounded in orality and a collective, action-centred perspective. For instance, the emphasis on passive forms draws attention away from the individual and towards the action itself, reflecting values of humility and interconnectedness.

Each explanation is presented in both te reo Māori and English, reinforcing the bilingual nature of the work. Activities encourage learners to put structures into practice, making the book not just a reference guide but also a workbook for active engagement. The result is a text that can be used by beginners seeking clarity, by intermediate learners aiming for greater accuracy, and by advanced speakers who wish to refine their grammatical intuition.

Beyond grammar, the book gestures towards larger cultural and philosophical questions. By embedding language in the broader context of Māori values and oral traditions, Morris reminds readers that learning te reo Māori is not only about vocabulary and syntax but also about adopting a way of seeing the world. This aligns with the proverb that inspires the work: to bring the language back from the pen to the tongue, moving it from a learned system into a lived practice.

Stylistically, Morris balances precision with accessibility. His explanations are concise without being reductive, and the bilingual presentation ensures clarity without diluting nuance. At times, the detail may challenge those expecting a quick reference, but the richness of the material rewards persistence.

As part of the ongoing revitalisation of te reo Māori, Tūmahi Māori is an important contribution. It bridges scholarship and pedagogy, theory and practice, and provides learners with the tools not only to speak more accurately but also to think more deeply in te reo Māori. In doing so, it affirms that grammar is not dry mechanics but a living expression of culture, identity, and worldview.

Reviewer: Chris Reed

Massey University Press