Book excerpt: The use of te reo Maori in daily New Zealand life is snowballing, as is demand for resources to make learning the language efficient and enjoyable. This book helps answer that demand. Here in simple terms is a thorough guide to the building blocks of grammar in te reo, showing how to create phrases, sentences and paragraphs. After an introductory chapter on pronunciation and written forms of the language, 17 chapters introduce the main base words, particles and determiners that guide their use. The book employs real-life examples to illustrate how Maori grammar works day to day. Te Reo Maori: The Basics Explained draws on David Karena-Holmes' decades of experience teaching and writing about Maori language. Building on his previous works, this updated and expanded approach will be an essential companion for speakers at any level.