Darryn Joseph

                                                             Courtesy of www.massey.ac.nz

  Darryn Joseph is much more than a writer. He is more of an avid reader rather than a writer. He has published over 24 books in maori ranged from picture books, chapter books and even made maori text books.  His biggest unpublished book is his PhD which is about maori figures of speech. He still works in maori studies at Massey university in Palmerston North for 12 years. He also lectures in maori to undergrad and postgrad levels.     

 Since 1996 He has worked as a maori tutor and lecturer.   He  earned his PhD in 2008 ,  with his thesis, He kete momo kipeha: Maori text types and Figures of speech.

 His writing career began when he won the best short story ‘Tama Tāhae, Tama Ora’ in the Huia Short Stories Award Te Pakiwaiata I te reo Māori mā ngā pakeke in 2003. From then his career took off. He writes in maori for all ages and adults.

 Hewa was the first real book he wrote and illustrated all by himself. That book won him the 2010 LIANZA Kura Pounamu award. This man has won so many awards, theres too many to count.