Ko tō mahana
Me he kāuta
He wahine aumiti tāngata
Me he pōike
pūkeke
He kōhanga mo tēnei pīpī e
E te tōtara
Haemata
Ka mau tonu ki tō aroha
Ko wai ka tohu
Tō hinga i te mumu
I te wao nui a Tāne
Kua hinga he tōtara i tēnei wao
Puhake te aroha
Riringi noa ngā roimata
He awa e rere
Ki to taha hei kawe
I tō waka Tōtara
Tōtara - a translation
Your warmth
Is like the kitchen/home fire
You were a warm and welcoming woman
Like the top
Of a strong/unyielding/steadfast tree
You were a safe place where I could build my nest
Tōtara
Who was so vigorous
We will always have your love
Who could tell/say
That boisterous winds would beat you
In Tāne’s great forest
A great tree has fallen
Love overflows
Into tears falling down
A river that flows
To where you are
To carry your waka Tōtara
