Hone Kouka (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungunu) is a father, a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, an acclaimed Māori writer, producer and director, the youngest winner of the Bruce Mason Playwriting Award and multi-award winner.

In 2022, Hone was named an Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate, receiving the Sir Roger Hall Theatre Award.

He has had plays produced in South Africa, Britain, Hawai’i, Canada, Australia, Japan, New Caledonia, as well as throughout New Zealand, with three plays being translated into French, Japanese and Russian. Hone’s plays include Ngā Tangata Toa, Waiora Te Ūkaipō – The Homeland, The Prophet and Bless The Child.

In 2004, Hone co-founded the production company, Tawata Productions, focusing on the development and presentation of new theatre by Māori and Pasifika artists. Hone became a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to Contemporary Māori Theatre in June 2009.

Created in 2015, Hone is the Artistic Director & Chief Executive and co-founder of Kia Mau Festival, a Māori, Pasifika and global Indigenous contemporary arts platform based in Te Upoko o te Ika a Māui.

Hone’s work also extends to the film industry, with two films screening at the Berlin Film Festival, Born to Dance (Screenwriter) and Mahana (Executive Producer). Hone’s earlier work across short films includes as Executive Producer for a series of successful short films including Nature’s Way, Run, The Graffiti of Mr Tupaia and Fog.

A multi-award winning playwright, Hone’s most recent work is the dance theatre production, Ngā Rorirori and the short film Open Looks.