Born in Upper Hutt, raised on the Kāpiti Coast, Kiwa Hammond currently resides among his iwi in Te Wairoa and Te Tairāwhiti which include Ngāti Kahungunu o Te Wairoa, Rongowhakaata, and Ngāti Ruapani, along with his strong connections to ta imi Moriori o Rēkohu (Chatham Islands).

Kiwa is passionate about Māori language regeneration throughout storytelling and has authored or contributed to over 60 publications catering for young children, young adults, through to older readers and whānau. Much of his work has been published as resources for kōhanga reo, kura kaupapa Māori, and marae. He calls himself a ‘recovering academic’ and is actively involved with a range of kaupapa on his marae and in his communities of connection. More recently Kiwa has been working closely with his Moriori people to revive their language, customs, and traditions which has included producing some of the first Moriori language only books as well as online webinars and supporting the work of Moriori music artists.