The H.M. Ngata English-Maori Dictionary is the result of a long and patient journey, embarked on by Hori M. Ngata, the eldest grandson of Sir Apirana Ngata. Hori Ngata focused his energies on the richness of te reo Maori, as his grandfather had done before him.

Hori M. Ngata was a kaumatua of Ngati Porou, with tribal connections to Ngai Tamanuhiri, Rongomaiwahine, and Te Aitanga a Mahaki. He spent his childhood on the family farm at Waiomatatini. He attended secondary school at Te Aute College, after which he farmed briefly before serving overseas with the 28th (Maori) Battalion during World War Two. On his return, Hori Ngata took up farming again for a short time, and held several positions before joining the Department of Education in 1958 as an accountant. Hori Ngata was a licensed interpreter of Maori. For nine years he was also a lecturer in Maori at the University of Auckland. When the study of Maori language was extended to stage three level, he included the translation of deeds in the course. Because of the lack of suitable resources for his students, Hori prepared his own manuscript dictionary of legal terms, extending this, over time, to include much other material. He worked on the dictionary in his free time, during lunch hours, and on Sundays.

Hori Ngata identified the need for a dictionary which illustrated the usage of Maori rather than simply supplying definitions or equivalents in English and Maori. He employed a system of headwords in English and Maori with sentences to illustrate usage. He selected his material from a wide variety of sources, including Acts of Parliament, deeds from the Maori Land Court, translated records of Maori school files, and quotations from the three volumes of Nga Moteatea, from the Maori Bible, from other texts, and from noted Maori orators, as well as examples from everyday usage. Hori also had access to material written in both English and Maori by his grandfather.

In 1979, Hori Ngata retired back to the rural settlement of Ruatoria where he continued working on the manuscript with friends and family, who contributed ideas and knowledge to the dictionary project. He drew on the resources of the local community and was assisted by his wife Mihihara, whose deep knowledge of Maori language and customs has informed this work.

In 1980, Hone Apanui, then editor of Maori publications in the School Publications Branch of the Department of Education, approached Hori Ngata to see if it would be possible for the Department to prepare his work for publication. Hori agreed, and in October 1981 Roki Kaua, from Ruatoria, began to type out the handwritten manuscripts .

At this point, the complexity of the task, and the time-consuming preparation which it involved, made it necessary to form an editorial committee, which Hori named the Komiti Arohi. This consisted of a co-ordinator, two bilingual consultants, a lexicographer of New Zealand English, and a data-entry operator. The meetings which the komiti held in Ruatoria, Hicks Bay, and Auckland often included kaumatua, who contributed as they sat in on some of the sessions.

In February 1989, Hori Ngata passed away suddenly, leaving his work unfinished. His son, Whai Ngata, agreed to complete the work. Whai, who works as a broadcaster, grew up immersed in the speech and traditions of Maoridom, and had had a long association with the dictionary. He brought to the task his father's fervent wish to see the work completed.

Many people have brought their experience and expertise to the task. Among them, in the early stages, were Nepia Mahuika and the late Wiremu Parker. Roka Paora of Whanau Apanui brought a deep knowledge of Maori usage and perspectives, and Jossie Kaa of Ngati Porou performed an invaluable editorial and co-ordinating role in the major task of bringing this work to publication, supported by the project team at Learning Media. Others who contributed support and expertise were Harry Orsman, Michael Keith, Wiremu Kaa, and Professor Patu Hohepa. Many organisations also played a part, including the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the New Zealand Geographic Board, and the Justice Department.

A dictionary reflects the dynamic and constantly changing nature of language itself. It is envisaged that further editions of this dictionary will respond to the changing nature of Maori and English by refining existing entries and adding new material.

Hori Ngata was convinced that the most valuable element of Maori culture is the language. The Ministry of Education Te Tahuhu o te Matauranga has demonstrated its commitment to te reo Maori through its continuing support of the work. Learning Media Te Pou Taki Korero has been privileged to participate in the development and presentation of a document which will have a significant role in fostering this taonga, te reo Maori. In the words of Sir Apirana Ngata:

Ka waiho iho e au ki a koutou te moemoea, he mea piripoho ki a au me oku hoa tokomaha i roto i nga tau, ko nga tikanga whai hua o to tatau Maoritanga, ko nga taonga no konei ake nei no tenei whenua kura, kia whakatapua hai koha ki Aotearoa.

I leave you to dream the dream that my many friends and I have treasured through the years, that the potent elements of our culture, those things which belong to this beautiful land, should be preserved as a heritage for New Zealand.