Hone Kouka was born in Balclutha and raised in Dunedin and Rangiora. He was educated at Southbrook School, Kings Boys’ High School, Dunedin, and the University of Otago where he graduated with a B.A. in English in 1988. He attended the New Zealand Drama School/ Te Kura Toi Whakaari o Aotearoa in 1990 and obtained a Diploma in Drama. Kouka has worked in a number of occupations including forestry, sawmilling, acting, and journalism. He has also worked as a playwright and artistic director. He has attended playwrights’ workshops in Wellington in 1988, Nelson in 1990 and Canberra in 1992. Kouka’s first play Mauri Tu was performed in the Otago University Theatre in April 1991 and at Taki Rua/Depot in September 1991. He was awarded the Wellington Theatre Award for most promising newcomer in 1991. In 1992 he lectured and performed his work in university drama classes in Sydney and Melbourne for two months. He won the 1992 Bruce Mason Playwrights’ Award and the 1992 Chapman Tripp Award for most original production for his play Hide ‘n’ Seek. He was awarded the Te Atairangikahu Award for Drama in 1993, and the 1994 Chapman Tripp Theatre Award for best new New Zealand play for Nga Tangata Toa. In 1996 he was writer-in-residence at Canterbury University and is currently co-programme manager at Wellington’s Taki Rua Productions.
Kouka was commissioned to write Waiora Te U Kai Po for the 1996 New Zealand International Festival of the Arts, the play subsequently went on a national and interantional tour in 1997. and He writes plays, prose, poetry, short stories, non-fiction articles, reviews, films and television productions. He composes waiata with other people and has had a number of short stories published in the school journals. He has just completed a novel and is currently working on a collection of plays by Māori playwrights called Ta Matou Mangai. Kouka provided most of the descriptive annotations below; these appear in quotation.
Biographical sources
- Correspondence and phone conversation with Hone Kouka on 26 Nov. 1992, 16 Aug. and 15 Sept. 1998.
- North Canterbury News 14 Apr 1992: 4.
- Mauri Tu. Wellington, N.Z.: Aoraki, 1992. xxiii.
- "Novel to Build on Success of Acclaimed Play." Alumni Association News 3.2 (1996): 11.
Children's literature
- "I Wanna Be." School Journal 3.1 (1992): 46-49. Rpt. in Te Ao Mārama: Contemporary Māori Writing for Children. Comp. and ed. Witi Ihimaera. Contributing ed. Haare Williams, Irihapeti Ramsden and D. S. Long. Vol. 4: Te Ara o Te Hau: The Path of the Wind. Auckland, N.Z.: Reed, 1994. 230-231.
- Waru speaks of his dream to be an All Black.
Fiction
- "Moko." Takahe 7 (1991): 5-6.
- "E Hiahia ana Au." Trans. Tarati Roil. Ngā Kōrero 6 1993. Rpt. in Te Ao Mārama: Contemporary Māori Writing for Children. Comp. and ed. Witi Ihimaera. Contributing ed. Haare Williams, Irihapeti Ramsden and D. S. Long. Vol. 4: Te Ara o Te Hau: The Path of the Wind. Auckland, N.Z.: Reed, 1994. 228-229.
- Māori translation of "I Wanna Be."
Films/Video
- Bulibasha filmscript, 2002.
Non-fiction
- "Can Plays Help?" Mana: The Māori News Magazine for All New Zealanders 3 (1993): 32.
- Kouka discusses his introduction into writing plays and aspects of Māori theatre.
- "Waiora." Mana: the Māori news magazine for all New Zealanders 15 (1997): 76-77.
- "Ta Matou Mangai/Our Own Voice: A Discussion." Post-Colonial Stages: Critical and Creative Views on Drama, Theatre and Performance. Ed. Helen Gilbert. London: Dangaroaa, 1999. 109-123.
- Written with Howard McNaughton.
- "Family Union." Sunday Star Times 11 Jan. 2004: D3.
Other
- Atkinson, Laurie. "Power & Charm in Debut Play." Evening Post 25 Sept. 1991: 34.
- Budd, Susan. "Mauri Tu adds to Definition of Māori Theatre." Dominion 20 Sept. 1991. 24.
- Owen, Rena. "Mauri Tu." Stage and Radio Record. Playmarket 6 (1992): 4-5.
- Budd, Susan. Dominion 4 June 1992: 19.
- Atkinson, Laurie. Evening Post 28 Oct. 1992: 25.
- Budd, Susan. "Audience Drawn into Play." Dominion 28 Oct. 1992: 30.
- Cooke, Patricia. "Māori Theatre is a Warm Experience for the Audience." Sunday Times 14 Nov. 1993: 15.
- Hewitson, Michelle. "End of the Line?" Listener 12 Mar. 1994: 48.
- Betts, Jean. "Outer Ripples of Maelstrom." Sunday Star-Times 29 May 1994: D5.
- Houlahan, Mark. Span 39 (1994): 96-101.
- Rikihana-Hyland, Queenie. "Theatre is onto a Winner." Kia Hiwa Ra: National Māori Newspaper 21 (1994): 2.
- Welch, Denis. "Such Epic Thunder." Listener 16 July 1994: 44-45.
- Carnegie, David, Theatre Journal 37.2 (1995): 310-311.
- Lynch, Murray. "Reviews." Landfall 190 (1995): 357-360.
- "Nga Tangata Toa: The Warrior People." Te Māori News 4.19 (1995): 8.
- Dale, Judith. "Performing Identity: Engendering Post-Coloniality On Stage." Illusions 25 (1996): 36-43.
- Sullivan, Robert. "Family Circle." Metro (Auckland) 193 (1997): 114-116.
- Wharepakau. "Waiora: A Return To The Homeland." Pu Kaea May 1997: 13.
- "Nga Tangata Toa." Pu Kaea June 1998: 6.
- Tari, Sara And Natasha Prentice. "Emptiness And Anger For Family; Waiora Pulls The Heartstrings; Packed Houses; Values Are Restored." Turanganui a Kiwa Pipiwharauroa July 1998: 584.
- "Overview Of Māori Theatre And Three Important Plays Of The 1990s." Te Karere Māori Dec. 1999: 4.
- Te Karere Māori 4.133 (1999): 5.
- Potiki, Roma. "Ta Matou Mangai (Our Own Voice)." He Kupu Tiori/Toi Māori Aotearoa – Māori – Māori Arts New Zealand 4 (2000): 10.
- Hindin, Lucette. "Subtle, Original Refraction." New Zealand Education Review 4.40 (2000): 12.
- O’Donnell, David. "Dynamic Māori plays." New Zealand Books 10.3 (2000): 5-6.
- Potiki, Roma. "Ta Matou Mangai (Our Own Voice)." He Kuku Tiori/Toi Maori Aotearoa – Maori Arts New Zealand 4 (2000): 10.
- Calder, Peter. New Zealand Herald 21 Oct. 2002: B4.
- Edmond, Frances. Listener 16 Nov. 2002: 55.
- Smythe, John. "Out-Of-Town Test-Runs Show Plays Coming On Well." National Business Review 53.1 (2002): 28.
- Bourke, Mary Anne. "International Festival Reviews." Sunday Star Times 21 Mar. 2004: 18.
- Smythe, John. "Festival Offers Rich Mixture Of Talent." National Business Review 62.1 (2004): 19.
Performing Arts
- Remembrance of Things to Come. Premiered at Taki Rua in June, 1992.
- With Sue Morrison.
- He Waka. Performed during the Australian tour of universities. Original writing by Hone Kouka, Apirana Taylor and Erina Toi Paku, 1992.
- ‘A collection of short original works.’
- Hide ‘N’ Seek. Directed and co-written with Hori Ahipene. Wellington, N.Z.: Aoraki, 1993.
- ‘A journey of self-discovery.’ This play was awarded Most Original Production Award at the 1992 Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards.’
- Mokemoke. First performed at Allen Hall in Dunedin, 1993.
- ‘The coming together of two brothers.’
- Five Angels. Performed at Taki Rua Theatre in Wellington in 1993.
- ‘A musical comedy of a Māori family’s history from 1960-1990.’
- Mauri Tu. Wellington, N.Z.: Aoraki, 1992. An extract rpt. in Te Ao Mārama: Contemporary Māori Writing for Children. Comp. and ed. Witi Ihimaera. Contributing ed. Haare Williams, Irihapeti Ramsden and D. S. Long. Vol. 4: Te Ara o Te Hau: The Path of the Wind. Auckland, N.Z.: Reed, 1994. 258-259.
- ‘A story about the alienation of Māori youth.’
- Whakakotahi. First performed in Berlin during Kouka’s schools tour in 1994.
- ‘About racialism in schools.’
- Tuakana Tuahine. First performed at Bats Theatre, Wellington in 1995.
- ‘A night out with a group of teenage mates.’
- King Hits. First performed at Taki Rua in July 1995.
- About the world of rugby league and the struggle between two brothers.
- Nga Tangata Toa. Derived from The Vikings at Helgeland, by Henrik Ibsen. Wellington, N.Z.: Victoria University Press, 1994. An extract rpt. in Te Ao Mārama: Contemporary Māori Writing. Volume 5: Te Tōrino: The Spiral. Comp. and ed. Witi Ihimaera. Contributing editors: Haare Williams, Irihapeti Ramsden and D. S. Long. Auckland, N.Z.: Reed, 1996. 79-84.
- This play of sixteen scenes is set in 1919 on a marae on the East Coast. It deals with themes of utu, unrequited love, hatred, murder and broken family relationships. The play was first performed at Taki Rua Theatre, Wellington on 25 May 1994. It was directed by Ibsen director Colin McColl.
- Grey. Performed at Taki Rua in 1997.
- Taiki E. With John Vakidis. National Tour in 1997.
- ‘A play for schools about a teenage touring Rock band.’
- Rivermouth. With John Vakidis. Draft completed in 1997.
- Waiora: Te Ukaipō - The Homeland. With waiata composed by Hone Hurihanganui. Wellington, N.Z.: Huia Publishers, 1997.
- This play was first performed at the New Zealand International Festival of Arts 1996 at Downstage Theatre, Wellington on 15 March, 1996. ‘A play looking at the effects of the Māori urban drift of the 1960s.’
- Peach and Terry. First performed at Allan Hall Theatre, Dunedin in 1997.
- ‘A crisis point for a middle-aged couple after their car breakdown.’
- Homefires. Performed at the International Festival in Wellington in March 1998.
- ‘The second of the trilogy with Waiora. It’s a story of reconciliation between two sisters.’ Script available from Playmarket.
- Ta Matou Mangai/Our Own Voice. Ed. Hone Kouka. Wellington, N.Z.: Victoria UP, 1999.
- Nga Tohu: Signatures. With Andrew Bancroft. 2000.
- Television drama.
- The Prophet. Wellington, N.Z.: Huia Press, 2006
- ‘About Māori urban youth.’ The third part of the Waiora trilogy performed at Downstage, Wellington, March 2004
Other
- Amery, Mark. "Strength To Strength." Listener 29 Aug. 1998: 38-39.
- Barclay, Barry. "The Vibrant Shimmer." Contemporary Pacific: a Journal of Island Affairs 11.2 (1999): 390-413.
- Paper presented at Pacific Islands Studies Conference: ‘Featuring Paradise: Representations of Pacific Islanders in Film and Video’, Honolulu, 11 Nov 1997.
- Blame, Christopher and Astrid Carstensen. "Home Fires", creating a Pacific theatre in the diaspora." Theatre Research International 26.1 (2001): 15-24.
- Calder, Peter. "Company seeks hidden values." New Zealand Herald 29 July 1993: 2.
- Cardy, Tom. "The Chosen One." Dominion Post 5 Feb. 2004: 13.
- Dale, Judith. "On The Beach: Questions Of Identity In Recent Māori Drama." Illusions 26 (1997): 39-42.
- Daniell, Sarah. "The Prophet." Staple 3 (2003/2004): 42.
- Dixon, Greg. "Putting People Before Prophet." New Zealand Herald 24 Mar. 2004: B5.
- "Everything But The Kitchen Sink." More 116 (1993): 11.
- Gilling, Naomi. "Family As Point Of Reference." Press 17 Jan. 1996: 13.
- Harris, Lee. "Graduate Reaps Drama School Benefits." Otago Daily Times 26 April 1991: 21.
- Herrick, Linda. "Home Fires Rekindles." New Zealand Herald 14 Oct. 2002: B4.
- Hewitson, Michele. "Setting the Māori Mousetrap." New Zealand Herald 27 July 1998: B10.
- "Homefires." Te Karere Māori 201.2 (2001): 1.
- Houlahan, Mike. "Telling Stories." Evening Post 23 Oct. 1993: 13.
- "International Audience For Hone Kouka’s Emotional Play." Kokiri Paetae June 1997: 96.
- Jackson-Greenland, Te Huianga. "Taki Rua Productions Has Its Own Vision For Māori Theatre." Tu Mai: Offering An Indigenous New Zealand Perspective 3 (1999): 7, 13.
- Johnson, Matt. "Play Explores Plight Of Urbanised Māori." Sunday Star Times 11 May 1997: F6.
- Kircher, Dan. "Pass It On." Staple 9 (2005): 52-57.
- Knight, Kim. "The Big Stage." Sunday Star Times 19 Oct. 2003: sup. 23.
- "Kouka Introduces His Play To Coast Whanau; Artistic Endeavour Spans Years." Gisborne Herald 16 July 1998: 6.
- "Kouka Play Comes Home." Turanganui a Kiwa Pipiwharauroa July 1998: 583.
- McLean, Robyn. "Kouka’s Beautiful Monster." Dominion Post 13 Oct. 2006: B9.
- McLeod, Marion. "Concussion And Remembrance." Listener 15 June 1992: 44-46.
- Morris, Paul. "From Page To Stage." Dominion 22 Sep. 2001: sup. 13.
- "Novel to Build on Success of Acclaimed Play." Alumni Association News 3.2 (1996): 11.
- Perkins, June. "The Search For Unity In Diversity: An Analysis Of Two Aotearoa/New Zeaand Plays." New Literatures Review 31 (1996): 33-49.
- "Play Follows Fortunes Of Coast Family." Gisborne Herald 4 July 1998: 4.
- "Playwright Leads Wellington Theatre." Te Māori News 2.8 (1993): 5.
- "Rising Māori Playwright has Roots in Rangiora." North Canterbury News 14 Apr 1992: 4.
- Smith, Charmian. "Homefires A Universal Experience." Otago Daily Times 8 Mar. 2001: 23.
- Stutchbury, Greg. "Making A Drama Out Of His Family History." Press 13 July 1996: Sup. 9.
- Sumner, Barbara. "Treaty Gets The Kiss Of Life." Sunday Star Times 6 Feb. 2000: F5.
- Urale, Tati. "Playwright Plans To Put Pen To Paper." Te Maori News 5.4 (1996): 15.
- Walsh, Kristine. "Play Follows Fortunes Of Coast Family." Gisborne Herald 4 July 1998: 4.
- Walsh, Kristine. "Kouka Introduces His Play To Coast Whanau; Artistic Endeavour Spans Years." Gisborne Herald 16 July 1998: 6.
- Welch, Dennis. "Once Were Drifters." Listener 17 Feb. 1996: 38.