NEW  ZEALAND
FOLK * SONG
Ma Wai e Hari?

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An introductory chant, often used before welcome songs like Karangatira Rā.



Mā wai a hari
Te kupu o aroha?
Mā Hine o Te Rangi
E whakamana mai
E okiokitanga
Mo te whānau nei
Whirinaki, whirinaki
Kia eke ki runga e.

Ko wai tēnei
E tū atu nei?
Ko te kupu tēnei
A o tūpuna
Kia ora koutou
Haere mai
Hi aue hi!


Who will convey
the message of love?
Let Hine O Te Rangi1 do it
to give it prestige
and a resting place
for the family.
Give support, give support
that all may be fulfilled.

Who is this
standing here?
This is the word
of our ancestors.
Good health to you all;
Welcome
Yes, oh yes!


Hine O Te Rangi

Hine O Te Rangi (Te Koaupari) was the wife of Kahutapere, one of generals of Taraia, the great grandson of Kahungunu and Rongomai-wahine.

Hine O Te Rangi's daughter Hinekimihanga married Tureia, and their son, Te Huki, married Rangitohumare. One of their children was Purua Aute, whose son Te Kahu o Te Rangi was the founding ancestor of Ngati Pahauwera, an iwi near Mohaka, north of Napier.

Hine o te Rangi
was also the name bestowed on Jean Batten, a pioneering New Zealand pilot who, in 1936, made the first-ever solo flight from England to New Zealand.

Maori songs - Kiwi songs - Home

Webpage put onto folksong.org.nz website Oct 2012
modified for narrow screens, Nov 2021

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