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MOKOMOKO

Stars align 

Everything feels right

Took a chance

Didn’t let it fly by

Sky dilating

Confidence missing

Keep counting all the time

Ka puritia ngā tikanga kia mau

Ka titia rā ki te ngākau kia tina

Ko ngā akoranga 

tuku iho

Cloud 9

For a moment

Then I fall behind

Kinda poetic

sky separating

Pride deflating

Keep counting all the time

When I walk 

When I sleep

And when I wake!

 

Ka tāheia hei whakakai marihi

Kia āwhina

Kia tiaki

Kia ārahi

MOKOMOKO - A TRANSLATION

Chorus: We do our best to hold onto the right ways

We hold it in our heart until it is fixed 

The teachings

handed down

Bridge: Wear it around your neck as a beautiful ornament

To help you

To watch you

To guide you

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AROĀ


Kōngū te tahatū
Pūrehurehu
Ki hea anga ai


Wetea, te whakatau
He haerenga hāngai
Nā ka huri kē


Tē tiro iho rā
Ka rongo whenua
Me he papa mahea
Tau mai aroā

Tō iho te rā
I ōna hua
Ka maru te aotea
Tē kite, auare ake
Hāuaua
Ka anga tonu ai


Tē tiro iho rā
Ka rongo whenua // Te ahunga mai
Me he papa mahea // Te ara ki tua
Tau mai aroā


Te ahunga mai
Te ara ki tua
 

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KNOW HOW

Can’t see the horizon

Covered in a white haze 

Where’s our direction?

 

Breaking down, our decisions

We were going one way

and now it’s hectic

I don’t need to look down

I can still feel the ground

Where we come from

It’s a blank canvas now

Where we’re going

In the end, we’ll know how...

 

… long will the sun hide

Holding all the right ways

Beneath the daylight

 

Can’t see now but it’s alright

I can feel a warm ray

Enough to get by

 

CH

Where we come from

Where we’re going

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KIA MAU

Ka whiti te rā i runga i te katoa

Ka ua te ua i runga i te tangata

Ahakoa ko wai

Ahakoa nō hea

Ahakoa ōna whakaaro rerekē ki ōku ake

 

Pūmau ki te aroha

Ko tēnei te rongoa

Kia mau ki te rongo

Kia mau ki te aroha

Kia kaha ki te whakarongo

Kia mārama

He tapu te tangata

He tapu tōna mana

Kia mau ki te rongo

Ki te aroha

Aroha

Aroha

Aroha

Kia mau ki te rongo

Kia mua, kia mau!

KIA MAU - A TRANSLATION

The sun shines on everyone

The rain falls on everyone

No matter who they are

No matter where they’re from

Even though their opinions might be different to mine

Hold on to love

This is the solution

Hold on to/Lay hold of peace

Hold on to/Lay hold of love

Be careful to listen

To understand

Every person is sacred

And so is their mana

Hold on to/Lay hold of peace 

And love

Love

Love

Love

Hold on to/Lay hold of peace 

Hold on, hold on!

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MURAMURA

 

Kei te wera te kānara
Te reka o te kakara

 

Kanikani hahana muramura

Ki tēnei waiata auē

Kei te kaute ngā hēkona ki te ata

o te rua tekau mā rima o Hakihea auē

Kei te wera te ahi

E moemoeā ki te huihui


Rikoriko ngā whetū muramura

Ki tēnei waiata auē

MURAMURA - A TRANSLATION

 

The candle is lit

The scent, so sweet

Dance bright flame

To this song

Counting down the seconds to the

morning of the twenty fifth of December

The fire is lit

Dreaming of meeting again

Twinkle bright stars

To this song

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TANIWHA

 

Kotahi ki reira

ki Araiteuru

Kotahi ki reira

ki Niua

Homai he toa 

Homai he kaha

Homai he toa 

Homai he kaha e

 

Do dragons talk

I think I heard one say

Do you remember me

From olden days

Yes I do in my fear

When I panic you appear

And then I see your face...

 

Ki te kake au ki ngā rangi, 

ki te heke au ki te rēinga, 

Ki te tango au ki ngā pākau o te ata, 

Ki te noho ki ngā tōpito o te moana,

Kei reira koe 

 

Can’t sit, can’t stand

Can’t hold a sword in my hand

I’m only free

When I’m dreaming

Like I do when you’re near

When the panic disappears

Then I see your face

 

Ko te kokonga ngākau

E kore e kitea

Uia, tirohia, 

He aha e kitea?

Ka pōnakonako

He wairangi

Ka āta tirotiro

He kaitiaki

TANIWHA - A TRANSLATION

 

One there

Is Araiteuru

One there

Is Niua

Give me courage

Give me strength

Give me courage

Give me strength
 

If I ascend into the heavens, 

If I descend to where spirits depart, 

If I take the wings of the morning,

If I dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

You are there
 

The corners of the heart

cannot be seen
Ask and inspect

What is seen?

If we’re short sighted

We’ll see a monster

If we look carefully

We’ll see a guardian

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WHAI

 

Why weren’t you honest?

Telling me this and telling me that

I would have

Appreciated

If you just told me the truth

 

But You kept me in the dark

Mhm, That broke my heart

Now I have to wake up

 

He ngaru teitei

He moana pukepuke

Eke Tangaroa 

Eke Tangaroa 

He maunga teitei 

He ara pukepuke 

Eke panuku 

Eke panuku

 

He aha ai rā

I tuapeka, kōrero teka

Kei hea

Te matatika

Me te kōrero pono

 

I mahue ki te pō

Auē, te ngaukino

Ka ara mai ahau 

 

You lied to me

Left me at sea

You did me wrong

But I moved on

And somehow

Here and now

You’re welcome here

Cause I still care

STINGRAY - A WHAI TRANSLATION

 

Lofty waves

Hilly (rough) seas

Overcome/Succeed

Overcome/Succeed

A lofty mountain

A hilly path

Overcome/Succeed

Overcome/Succeed

 

Why

Did you lie?

Where

Is the honesty

And the truth?

 

Left in the dark

A broken heart

Then I wake up

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WHEKE

 

Unworthy

Sometimes it’s hard to change

Signs

Put up in my brain

Telling me I can’t do this

Telling me I can’t do that

Run away run away run away

Until I can’t go back

(Until, I, can’t, go, back)

 

Whispers, 

quiet but loud enough

Tricks

Enough to stop my heart

I stop doing this

I stop doing that

Run away run away run away

Now I can’t go back

 

This time or next time

I just hope I get sometime

 

To go back, lean forward

It hurts my head but it’s good for my heart

To go back, lean forward.

It won’t be easy but the 8th time is the charm

 

Kaua e mate wheke mate ururoa

Manawanui i ngā taumahatanga

 

Kaua e mate wheke mate ururoa

Te whakapono tūmanako me te aroha



 

OCTOPUS - A WHEKE TRANSLATION

 

 

Don’t die like an octopus go out like a shark

Persevere through the hards times

 

Don’t die like an octopus go out like a shark

With faith hope and love

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TUNA

Ka rongo i ngā roimata o Rangi

Ka oho te wairua i te wehi

Ka hoki ngā mahara ki mua

Ki te tīmatanga o te ao mārama

 

Mai te rangi ki te whenua

He tuna e huna ana

I te ataata

O te manawa

He tuna e huna ana

Ka whakawarea e te tuna 

Ka hīrautia he pārurenga

Ka toromi i te whakamā

I te maharatanga o ngā hapa katoa

Kua murua ngā hara

Me mātou e muru nei

Kaua e whakawarea

Hāpaitia, whakaorangia

EEL - A TUNA TRANSLATION

 

I hear the tears of Rangi

The spirit wakes up with excitement

The mind goes back to the beginning

To the beginning of this world

From heaven to earth

There’s an eel hiding

In the shadow

Of the heart

There’s an eel hiding
 

The eel entices 

Trapping yet another victim

Drowned in thoughts of shame

Of all the mistakes made
 

Sins are forgiven

As we forgive each other

Don’t tempt or be tempted

Lift up and restore

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TOHORĀ

 

Kaitiaki, tūpuna, tohorā nui, tohorā roa

 

You are always there for me

When I’m lost in the ocean you’re near me

Listening carefully

Oh brother you hear me

 

Kaitiaki, tuakana, tohorā nui, tohorā roa

 

You are always there for me

When I’m under the tall trees you’re near me

Listening carefully

Oh mother you hear me

 

Kaitiaki, mātua, tohorā nui, tohorā roa

 

Ina ka tō te rā

Ka heke te pōuriuri

Ka pōkai tōku kaha

Ka tāhurihuri

 

You are always there for me

When I’m lost in the ocean you’re near me

Listening carefully

Oh lover you hear me

 

Kaitiaki, aroha, tohorā nui, tohorā roa



 

WHALE - A TOHORĀ TRANSLATION

 

Guardian, ancestors, great whale, great whale
 

Guardian, older sibling, great whale, great whale
 

Guardian, parents, great whale, great whale

 

When the sun sets

And darkness falls

My strength folds

Il become troubled
 

Guardian, love, great whale, great whale

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BABY BEAT

When I think about the moon and the stars

The same hands that make you

Who you are

I guess we’re gonna find out soon enough 

I wonder what comes of this love

Kaua e aukumea

Kaua e aukumea

E karanga ana te ao mārama

(nō reira) kaua e aukumea

When I think about the birds and the trees

The same hands that make you

Perfectly 

Guess we’re gonna find out soon enough

I wonder what comes of this love

 

Kia kite au... i to mata, Kia tākina... to ingoa

Kia mau ki o... ringaringa, Ka mōhio... te aroha 

I can’t wait to see your face and

I can’t wait to say your name

I can’t wait to hold your hands and

I can’t wait to tell you that I love you

BABY BEAT - A TRANSLATION

Don't take too long

Don't take too long

The world is waiting for you

Don't take too long

I can’t wait to see your face and

I can’t wait to say your name

I can’t wait to hold your hands and

I can’t wait to tell you that I love you

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KŌTARE

Ētahi wā e taumaha ana ngā ngaru i te moana

E patu ana ngā waka e te au tuke, e te au miha

He uaua ki te kite nā te pūrehurehu o te rehutai

Te pae tata kua huna nā te pupuke o ngā wai

Whaia te iti kahurangi

Ki te tuohu, me maunga teitei

 

Kia mataara, kia māia

Toka tū moana

Kia mataara kia māia

Tutuki me te aroha.

 

He ngaru whakateo he kōtare, ko tēnā te kī

He pūhara i ngā taiapa o te pā hoki

Ko tēnei ka waiho iho mo te iwi

He waka eke noa, āwhina atu tētahi ki tētahi

 

Toka tū moana

Wanawana tutuki me te aroha

Me te aroha!

Kia Mataara kia māia

Kia mataara, kia māia!

THE KINGFISHER - A KŌTARE TRANSLATION

 

Sometimes the waves are heavy out at sea

Battering our waka under its weight

It gets hard out there to see through the haze

The horizon hidden by the swelling waves

 

Pursue that which is precious

If bowed down let it be to a lofty mountain

 

Be vigilant, be brave

Like a rock against the sea

Be vigilant, be brave

Overcome fear with love

 

A curly wave is a kōtare’s work, that’s what they say

And watchtowers were named after me too

This is what I want to leave with you all

Together we can succeed, so look out for each other

 

Stand like a rock against the sea

Overcoming fear with love

With love!

Be vigilant, be brave

Be vigilant, be brave!

Kōtare
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PŪKEKO

Ko tōku tūrangawaewae tēnei

Kāore au e ware mo to moni

he taringa pākura kei ahau

Kāhore au e neke 

 

Ko tēnei toku tū, ko toku nohonga

I te ao i te pō, tōku oranga

Ko au te whenua, te whenua ko au

Ko au te whenua, ko te whenua ko au!

Tāria tāria, kāore au e neke

E kī! Ēhara tēnei i te wheke

Ka noho, ka tū, ka ora

Ka noho, ka tū!


Kāhore au e neke mai toku tūranga

Kua rarau ki te whenua

Wera ana toku ahi, i te iho, i te poho, Rūaumoko

Tūmatauenga, Rongomatane

Ko tēhea te ara, ara tika?

Ko tēhea te ara rangatira?

Mana rangatira

Mana whenua

Mau te rongo, whakamaua kia tīna

Tīna! hui e!

Taiki e!

 

PŪKEKO - a translation

This is my home

I don’t care about your money

I’m stubborn like a pūkeko

I’ll never move

 

This where I stand, this is where I stay

Every day and every night, my life

I am the land, the land is me

I am the land and the land is me!

Go on and wait, I won’t move

I won’t run away like an octopus

I’ll stay, I’ll stand, I’ll live

I’ll stay, I’ll stand!

 

I will never move from where I stand

My feet are woven to the earth

The fire within me grows, deep within, like a volcano

War, peace

Which is the right path?

Which is the path to justice?

The responsibility of a leader

The responsibility to the land

Hold on to peace, bind it so its fixed, 

So its firm

Don’t let it go!

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HUIA

Kua ngaro ki te pō

Ēngari kei te karanga tonu to mana

He mana, mana rangatira

He mana ka raranga ngā tira, ngā hau e whā

Kia kaha Aotearoa

 

Tukua

Tēnei manu

Tukua tēnei manu

Kia rere

 

Mā ngā kahukura
Tēnei manu

Mā ngā kahukura tēnei manu

Ka rere


E rere, e rere 

Te manu rangatira 

Ānei he tūhunga 

Ki runga i a mātou e

 

E rere, e rere 

Te mana rangatira 

Ānei he tūhunga 

I te kōtahitanga

HUIA - a translation

Though lost to us

We can still hear your call

A prestigious song, the song of a leader

One that knows how to weave a people together

We can do this Aotearoa

 

Let

This bird

Let this bird

Fly

 

By its feathers

This bird

By its feathers this bird

Will fly

 

Fly, fly

Prestigious bird

You can land here

On all of us

 

Fly, fly

Prestiginuity 

You can land here

On our unity

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RURU

Ka haumumu te pō

E mehameha ana te hinengaro

Ka kārangaranga ahau

I tōku rākau

 

Takaoraora i te moenga 

Nā te pōuriuri, kei hea te rongoa?

E mānakanaka ana mo āpōpō

Whakarongo mai e tōku ipo

 

Ka hipokina koe e au ki ōku hou

Piri mai ki raro i ōku pakau

Kia marutau, hei ruruhau māu

 

Kaua e mānukanuka 

mo āpōpō

Mā te Kaihanga tātou 

e tiaki

RURU - a translation

The night becomes still

And the mind becomes lonely

I’ll be calling 

From my tree

 

Restless on the bed

From the gloomy night, what’s the medicine?

Worried about tomorrow

Listen to me my love

 

I’ll cover with my feathers

Come near under my wing

For safety, for a refuge, for you

 

Don’t worry

For tomorrow

For the Creator

Will take of care (all of) us

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KUAKA

Pakipaki pakipaki ngā pākau

E rere e rere toku ngākau 

 

Ka tiro ake ki tua

O ngā hau e puhi nei

E kawea i ahau

Ki te pae tawhiti

Mā runga uenuku

Mā runga te tūmanako

Ka kawe au e ngā hau nei

I te ao i te pō

 

Ka eke panuku

Ka eke Tangaroa

Ka tika te rere ka pā ki te rangi e

 

E kī rā he māmā

Tē taea te aha hoki

He toa takitini

Ka eke noa

Whaia te kahurangi

Kia tata te pae tawhiti

Pakipaki pakipaki ngā pākau

E rere e rere tōku ngākau

 

Ka eke panuku

Ka eke Tangaroa

Ka tika te rere ka pā ki te rangi e

A tōnā wā

Ka tae ki uta

Ka tika te rere ka tae ki te whenua

KUAKA - a translation

Wings keep going

Heart keep flying

 

Made room for tomorrow

Don’t know how the wind will blow

Take me past the shallow

Into the deep

Where its heavy on the rainbow

Never mind those weary eyes

I don’t know how the wind blows

Through the night

 

I’ll fly high

We’ll touch the sky

We’ll keep flying until we touch the sky

 

Don’t tell me that it's easy

Don’t tell me that I'm in too deep

I’ll need you to keep me

When I leap 

I’ll get there before I sleep

Until the horizon is near to me

Wings keep going

Heart keep flying

 

I’ll fly high

We’ll touch the sky

We’ll keep flying until we touch the sky

In due time

We’ll make it to shore

We’ll keep flying until we make it home

Kōtuku

KŌTUKU - ngā kupu

Ēhara ēnei āhuatanga ka kite ia rā, ia rā 

Ko te tūmanako nā te puku mahi ngātahi

He mōmōhanga ngā mahara ki tēnei wā

Ka rongo i ngā rōhi 

Ahakoa ētahi wā e huna ana i te otaota, 

Āwhina atu ki te tohungia 

Hākina 

Hā puta

Nāwai, nāwai 

Ka kake ki te rangi

He kōtuku rerenga tahi 

Ona awe kua waiho iho hei piki kōtuku

Kia kaha ki te rere ngātahi, ngātahi

Hei piki kōtuku

Mehemea kotahi anake te rerenga ka kite 

ko te wawata ka pūmau 

ki te aroha noa kua puta I tēnei wā. 

ā-whānau, ā-hapū, ā-iwi, ā-hāpori, 

ā-whenua

Tuturu whakamaua kia tina!

Haumi e, hui e

Taiki e!

KŌTUKU - a translation

These things don’t happen everyday

Hopefully, because we were working together

We can remember this time fondly

We can smell the roses

Though sometimes they can be lost in the weeds

We can help each other find them

Breathe in 

Breathe out

Eventually

Rising in the sky…

The kōtuku only ever seen once

It’s plumes left behind for our adorning

Let’s be diligent in flying together

A beauty that will adorn us

If this flight is really only ever seen once 

Hopefully we hold on to the love that was shared 

and found during this time 

As families, as communities, as a people, as neighborhoods, as a nation.

Hold fast

Secure it

Draw together! Affirm!

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Korimako

KORIMAKO

I te tangi o te Korimako

He aha tāna e kōrero

Ka huri tāku aro ki te whakarongo

Ki te mārama i te waiata

He waiata whakahoki mahara

he mea hou rānei he tīmatanga?

He aha tāna e kawea?

Waita mai waiata mai

Kua roa te wā 

mai te titonga o tōku waiata

Kua rongo ahau

I ngā waiata o ōu tūpuna

Nō reira tuhia ki tō rae

Ēhara tāku toa i te toa takitahi

Ēngari he toa takitini

 

Over the melting skies

We sing our lullaby

Good morning and goodnight

To our stories

Over the melting sky

We bring our lullaby

Good morning and goodnight

To our stories

BELLBIRD - a Korimako translation

 

At the cry of the bellbird

What is it trying to say

I turn to listen

To understand the song

Is it a song about remembering

Or something new, a beginning?

What is the message?

Sing it out, sing it out

 

It’s been a long time

Since the composition of my song

I have heard

All the songs of your ancestors

Therefore write it on your forehead:

 

My strength is not in myself alone,

But in a collective

(I am not alone)

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Pīwaiwaka

PĪWAIWAKA

Takahurihuri Takawiriwiri mai

whiuwhiu te hurumaeko ka patu ō whatu 

Ka tākiri ana i te Wao nui tāngata 

Katakata ana ki tō tāwhatitanga

Tōku tāwhatitanga ka whakahinga te mana 

Aue aue taukuri e

Te whakamomori ki te huarahi hau kāinga o te wairua

Kei hea rā te ara ki tōku orokohanga?

Kei hea rā, kei hea rā?

Ka rongo i te karanga

 

Hoki mai tāku ipo (aaa)

Hoki mai tāku aroha

Whāia i te ara pīwaiwaka

Hoki mai ki te aroha

 

Ka rere te reo i runga i te tihitihi

mai te rāwhiti ki te hau-ā-uru

pikipiki hekeheke i te huarahi

kia tae atu ki te ahunga o te karanga 

mā ngā tapuwae o ngā tūpuna

kua tae mai ki kōnei e

(Me) haere tonu kia whakarewa ngā rēanga 

Ka rongo i te karanga

 

Ko Īhoa tōku hēpara; 

Ko ia hei mea kia takoto ahau 

Ko ia hei whakahoki ake tōku wairua: 

Ahakoa haere ahau i te awaawa o te atarangi o te mate

E taka ana e koe he tēpū ki tōku aroaro 

He pono e aru i ahau te pai me te atawhai

I ngā rā katoa e ora ai ahau, 

Ka noho ahau ki te whare ō Ihowa ake tonu atu

FANTAIL - a Pīwaiwaka translation

It twists and turns

Flick goes the tail feather and you’re blinded

Snared in the wilderness of man

Where they laugh at your demise

At my demise then I fall deeper

Oh dear, oh dear

I dangerously desire the path to the home of my spirit

Where is the way that leads to my origin?

Where is it, where is it?

Then I hear a call:

 

Come back my dear

Come back my love

Follow the fantail

Come back to love

 

The voice is carried on the whisper of the wind

From the east to west

My pathway continuously goes up and down

Until I reach the source of this call

By the footsteps of our ancestors

We have arrived here

We have to continue for the sake of the generations

Then I hear the call

 

The Lord is my shepherd

He makes me rest

He restores my soul

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

You prepare a table before me 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,

I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

(the first line to every verse of Psalm 23)

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Kākāriki

KĀKĀRIKI

How did we get here, is it just a dream?

Tell me I believe in something more than we 

can try to help ourselves, can you show me how

to let it go, I don’t know (Now I’m)

 

Throwing over tables thinking I've made a mistake

(awhi mai) Help me if you can (awhi mai)

Help me if you can (awhi mai)  

Throwing out the water hoping the baby understands

(awhi mai) Help me if you can (awhi mai)

Help me if you can (awhi mai)

 

Can we let it go. (I). won’t perform my tricks

sick of dressing up like clown, it’s a risk 

I can do without, can you show me how

to let it go, I don’t know (I’m)

 

I know I need to work it out

I know I’ve got to get out of here

Don’t want to lose myself in the mess,

Will you tell me how to make it out?  

KĀKĀRIKI - a translation

Hold me, Embrace me,

Help me

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Weka

WEKA

Whakarongo whakarongo

whakarongo ki ngā hau kia mōhio

Mārama mārama,

Mā te mārama ka eke

E oma e oma

Tae noa ki te akitu o te mātau kia ora

Whakarongo whakarongo

whakarongo ki ngā hau anō, whano

No way around it oh

I had to find out

How to make my own way out

Told me your secrets this is how you made it

But I had to find out myself

 

I learn from doing

And if I fail the first time

I’ll try again

I learn from doing

you can show me but I wouldn’t see

 

I tāku kari o te rua

I horo tōku ngākau

I riro ki te pōnakonako

Auare ake te huarahi ki te mārama

He aha i pēnei ai?

 

Guess I had to make my own mistakes

You gave me your opinion it was not for me

I find I’m strong given time to me

To make up my mind about things

You thought it would be wise of me

To go about things the way you see

But I’d never learn to simply be me

If I was trying not to be

WEKA - a translation

Listen, listen

Listen to the winds so that you will know

Understand, understand

By understanding we ascend

Run, run

Until you reach the summit of knowledge that gives life

Listen, listen

Listen to the winds again, go

​​

When I dug a hole

My soul was swallowed

Into the blinding night

Without a chance to find my way to understanding

Why must it be like this?

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Tūī

TŪĪ

It’s mine, it’s mine (Kōrihi te manu)

I found my own prize (Tākiri mai te ata)

You can try you can try (Ka ao ka awatea)

To get in my way but you won’t stay (Tīhei mauri ora)

 

Protecting the truth

Found something good

You know it ‘cause you’ve got your conscience conscience right?

I know it too

Found something new

Made it a home for me

 

Over I flew

Found the best view

I know it ‘cause I’ve got my conscience conscience

All for my own

hold on to my home

don’t let it go for anyone else.

 

It’s mine, it’s mine 

I found my own prize 

You can try you can try 

To get in my way but you won’t stay, 

You won’t stay, you won’t stay

‘Cause I am stronger than you

 

Woke up to the news

That somebody knew

Where they could find what I found

They captured the view

And found the new tune

I heard them singing from the place I’d been

 

It’s yours it’s yours

You found your own voice

They will try they will try

To break you apart but hold on to what you’ve found

What you’ve found, what you’ve found

‘cause you are stronger than them

TŪĪ - a translation

The bird sings

The morning has dawned

The day has broken

Behold there is life

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Kererū

KERERŪ

When is it time to stop?

When you’re enjoying it with all you got?

Another one will be just fine

I’m feeling the buzz

I’m feeling fly

Don’t need to stop

I’ve got moderation on lock

I know i’m fine until

I can’t walk a straight line no more

My oh me

I’ve lost my bearings

May have had one too many berries

 

I’m spinning them lines now

I find i’m a little blind now

Another one bites the dust she said

But i’m fine, fine, fine.

Watch me and then you’ll see

Temptation got the best of me

 

Kei hea āku parihau?

Kei hea tāku rākau?

Ka kimihia kimihia tāku kōhanga 

Karangaranga mai āku whanaunga! 

Kua taka tāku mata, kāhore te kapa 

i te kainga o tāku miro whakamutunga

kua tae ki te toi o tāku taura

rāranga mai he taura hou hei piki mōku

KERERŪ - a translation

 

Where are my wings?

Where is my tree?

Where is my nest

call out, my family!

My face has dropped - not the penny unfortunately

On the last berry I ate

I’m at the end of my rope

Make me a new rope so I can climb back up

(the penny is a reference to “when the penny drops”, which in Māori is, “Kua taka te kapa”)

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Kākā

KĀKĀ

I wake up have my breakfast in the mirror

take a selfie tell the world (I woke up like this).

Get my shoes on decked out to the iwa

I Step out I hope the world is ready for this

Walking down the street I feel people Stop and stare

But I don’t mind that’s the burden of being beautiful

Don’t be jealous anyway, you’ll never get here.

Oh by the way did you see me?

 

(I’m so) Sweet sweet oh, look at my feathers

I fluff my tail up give me some credit

I’m the man I’m the man I’m the man

(he’s the man he’s the man he’s the man)          X 2

 

I always bring my gun, (shh it’s my bicep)

my calves and my buns check out these assets

I take a selfie here selfie anywhere I wanna

That food looks nice ooh

Looks like big price ooh

Labels, fables, playing with marbles 

dollar bill dollar coin I’m just too cool

These filters make me look good.

Or is it just a filter for my life?

 

My cousins keep telling me “ĒHARA TE KŪMARA!”

But I don’t mind telling you I’m really really reka.

 

My cousins keep telling me “ĒHARA TE KŪMARA!”

But I don’t mind telling you I’m really really reka

I smell like roses I’m sweeter than nectar 

Put your shades on my light is brighter

KĀKĀ - a translation

 

Iwa is nine in Māori: decked out to the nines.

“ēhara te kumara e kōrero mo tōna ake reka” is a Māori proverb about how a ‘sweet potato’ will never (have to) ever tell you how sweet (reka) it is. It’s about humility.

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Riroriro

RIRORIRO

Patience is a virtue when you understand

Try to win the game but there ain’t no right hand

Practice all you want it won’t go to plan

Running around in circles (running around in circles)

Riroriro riroriro - take it from me

Riroriro riroriro - sitting in my tree

Where the wind blows the sun will show  you will see

Don’t you worry ‘bout a thing 

(don’t you worry ‘bout a thing)

 

Goodbye, been holding onto to a hurt for too long

I tried to let it all go to be free in my mind

Pulling me up, pushing me down

Taking my time, holding my frown

Don’t wanna see the wrinkles making me old before I am.

RIRORIRO -  a translation 

Riroriro is the Māori name for a tomtit

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Mirmiro

MIROMIRO

The way I see it it’s a simple choice

Stick together even through white noise

Feel the hand know it well

So when you are blind you can tell

In the darkness you will hear the voice

By a whisper under all the noise

Feel the hand know it well

the one that caught you when you fell

 

Hold onto love, hold onto love

I’m not saying that it’s easy all the time

There are trials

You are walking a thin line

But you are stronger every step

You can handle what’s next

 

Like I say it is a simple choice

Don’t fall apart inside the noise

Hold out your hand so they can tell

Give them a chance to know it well

In the darkness let them hear your voice

let it pierce through all the noise

Hold out your hand, when they call

You can catch them if they fall

 

I’m not saying it’s easy all the time

Sure there are trails you will find

Feel like you’re walking a thin line

You will make it to the other side x 2

 

Ko te pae tawhiti whāia kia tata

Ko te pae tata whakamaua kia tina

Whakamaua ki tō kaki hei tāhei

Whakairo ki runga i tō manawa

Whakatū hei haki mo tō whare ā-roto

Āpōpō ka whai ki tua o te pae rangi

Ka whai ki tua o te pae whenua

Whakamaua kia tina

Whakamaua kia tina

MIROMIRO - a translation

Pursue the horizon until it is close

Then lay hold of it and don’t let it go

Wear it on your neck as an ornament

Carve it on to your heart

Post it like a flag inside you

Tomorrow we’ll pursue it beyond the skies

We’ll pursue it beyond the horizon

Lay hold of it and don’t let it go

Hold it fast and don’t let it go

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Tauhou

TAUHOU

Kei kōnei au, kei kōnei ahau

 

The silvereye

led me to a stream

Told his friends watch over me

He said let’s talk

About the way you walk

About what’s been happening

 

Sometimes the wind of the storm takes us somewhere we don’t wanna go

(Kei kōnei au kei kōnei ahau)

If it’s paradise on the other side we don’t wanna know

Breathe in breathe out (Kei kōnei au kei kōnei ahau)

The sun is shining on your face on the other side

 

I tried to hide

my world inside

of what’s been happening

He said let’s talk

about the way you walk

Don’t hide at all from me

You never asked for any of this but here I am

 

On the other side 

You never asked for any of this but here I am

TAUHOU - a translation

I am here, I am here

Artwork by Manu Berry

A Hymn of Faith
Tomorrow

A HYMN OF FAITH

Though the fig tree may not blossom

Nor fruit be on the vine

Though the labor of the olive may fail

And fields yield no food

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold

And there be no heard in the stall


Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord

I will joy in the God of my salvation

Yet, I will rejoice

Though the fig tree may not blossom

Nor fruit be on the vine

Though the labor of the olive may fail

And fields yield no food

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold

And there be no herd in the stalls

Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord

I will joy in the God of my salvation

Yet, I will rejoice

The Lord God is my strength

He will make my feet like the deer's feet

And He will make me walk on my high hills

 

Otia ka koa ahau ki a Ihoa

Ka whakamanamana ki te Atua o tōku whakaoranga

Otia ka koa ahau

TOMORROW

I can’t relate 

So it’s hard to say “I get it” 

I don’t even wear your shoes

I wanna stay and make it all go away

This pain that you tell me is worth holding on

Until tomorrow

Tomorrow we’ll keep holding on

Until tomorrow

Tomorrow we’ll keep coming round

I understand that I don’t see through your eyes

And I won’t force anything on you

I’m a daughter too, so are you

And I haven’t been in your shoes

I’ll empathise our different bruises

Cause yesterday was yesterday 

Now it’s today so let’s go 

(Till) Tomorrow

Tomorrow we’ll keep holding on

Until tomorrow

Tomorrow we’ll keep coming round

Hope, Faith, Love

Are things that I dream of 

I wonder what it looks like 

If it ain’t heaven above

Do we live in the sky or do we live in the sea?
Papatuanuku keeps crying

What can I do

What can we do

What do we do?

Until tomorrow

Tomorrow we’ll keep holding on

Until tomorrow

Tomorrow we’ll keep coming round

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