Hone Kaa was born in Rangitukia the son of Tiipiwhenua and Hohipine Kaa and was educated at Rangitukia Primary School, St Stephen’s School, St John’s College and, the University of Auckland where he graduated with a BA in Māori Studies and MA {Hons} in Education. He later went to Harvard University and was awarded a doctorate in mivistry. ‘He has had an extraordinary career, embracing, among other things, the Māori Ministry, television and radio. Most Māori associate him with the heyday of Radio Aoteaora when he was Māori Director and Manager of the station, as well as regarding him as one of Maoridom’s most articulate and controversial spokesmen. He… also held many publc offices, including Commissioner in the Programme Combat Racism in the World Council of Churches....’ He was a Canon in the Anglican Church and lectured at St John’s College, Auckland. He founded Ririki a "national body devoted to stopping the maltreatment of Māori children."
Biographical sources
- Growing up Māori. Ed. Witi Ihimaera. Auckland, N.Z.: Tandem, 1998. 104.
- “Obituary: Hone Kaa: 1941-2012.” http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10795696
Films/Video
- Waka huia [videorecording] Moki. Presenter: Hone Kaa with Puhi Rangiaho, Te Hira Henderson, Pere Maitai. [Lower Hutt, N.Z.] : New Zealand Television Archive, c1989.
- 1 videocassette (60 min).
- Waka huia [videorecording] Takaro. Presenter: Hone Kaa with Te Hira Henderson, Whai.Ngata. [Lower Hutt, N.Z.] : New Zealand Television Archive, c1989.
- 1 videocassette (59 min.).
Non-fiction
- "Jesus Sets Free To Serve." Te Hikoi Ki Waitangi, 1985. [Otara, N.Z.: Waitangi Action Committee, 198?]: 118-121.
- Using the Biblical imagery of the Shepherd guarding the sheep from the wolves, Kaa restates New Zealand’s history: the missionaries are portrayed as the Shepherds, bringing good news to the Māori, the sheep. The wolves are the land hungry colonists.
- "It’s all that Haka in the Kumara Patch." Growing up Māori. Ed. Witi Ihimaera. Auckland, N.Z.: Tandem, 1998. 104-109.
- Theological Reflections on the Hikoi of Hope. Commissioned by the National Hikoi Coordination Group. Whakatane [N.Z. : The Group(?), 1998]
- Co-authors Hone Kaa, Susan Adams, Winston Halapua.
Other
- "He Aitua/Dr Hone Kaa." http://news.tangatawhenua.com/archives/16858
- "Rev. Hone Kaa’s Passing a ‘Loss to the Nation’." http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/archdeacon-hone-kaa-dies-4807950
- "Obituary: Hone Kaa: 1941-2012." http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10795696
- Rhodes, Jason. "Tears and Laughter for Hone Kaa." http://anglicantaonga.org.nz/News/Tikanga-Maori/Hone-Kaa-dies-of-cancer
- Sio, Rt. Hon. Su’s William. "Tribute to Rev Dr Hone Kaa." http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1203/S00424/tribute-to-rev-dr-hone-kaa.htm