Photograph by Babiche Martens. www.babichemartens.com
Photograph by Babiche Martens. www.babichemartens.com

Hemi
Kelly

Hemi Kelly is of Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Tahu-Ngāti Whaoa descent. He started learning te reo Māori as a young teenager and naturally progressed into teaching roles after study. Hemi is a full-time lecturer in te reo Māori at the Auckland University of Technology. His academic research and writing focus largely on the revitalisation of the Māori language and translation studies.

Hemi is a licensed translator and graduate of Te Panekiretanga o Te Reo (The Institute of Excellence in the Maori Language). In 2017, Hemi translated Witi Ihimaera’s novella in Sleeps Standing and published his first book A Māori Word a Day in 2018. In 2019, Hemi published his first creative writing piece in English in Purakau, a collection of Māori myths retold by Māori writers.

Hemi Kelly is of Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Tahu-Ngāti Whaoa descent. He started learning te reo Māori as a young teenager and naturally progressed into teaching roles after study. Hemi is a full-time lecturer in te reo Māori at the Auckland University of Technology. His academic research and writing focus largely on the revitalisation of the Māori language and translation studies.

Hemi is a licensed translator and graduate of Te Panekiretanga o Te Reo (The Institute of Excellence in the Maori Language). In 2017, Hemi translated Witi Ihimaera’s novella in Sleeps Standing and published his first book A Māori Word a Day in 2018. In 2019, Hemi published his first creative writing piece in English in Purakau, a collection of Māori myths retold by Māori writers.

artwork-image

PREVIOUS NOMINATIONS

RELATED FEATURES

Video April 7 2026

The 2026 Shortlist

Discover this year's Dublin Literary Award Shortlist
News April 7 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Shortlist is Announced

Delve into the 6 novels shortlisted this year.
News April 2 2026

Past Winner Spotlight: Michael Crummey

Reflecting on his 2025 Dublin Literary Award win with his novel 'The Adversary', libraries, literature and more.
News March 11 2026

Translator Spotlight: Jo Heinrich

Reflecting on translating the 2023 winning novel 'Marzahn, Mon Amour' and life as a literary translator.

STAY CONNECTED

Stay in touch and sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates on the Dublin Literary Award.