Anniversary song, to a mother

The above song has one person (maku) offering good wishes to many people (koutou). But if many people (matou) want to offer good wishes to one (koe) respected motherly person, you could refer to her as a puwharawhara, or perching Astelia bush. It is seen here, growing high in the branches of a big rimu tree. It provides shelter for birds, and consequently it is a Māori symbol of motherly protection, as in the old proverb, "E rere te kotare ki runga i te puwharawhara," and in Hirini Melbourne's song Tihore Mai about that proverb. So maybe you could sing this version to your kuia.
Matou e mihi atu Kia koe te Pu-whara-whara No reira, tenei te mihi Kia koe, kia ora rā Ka tangi te manu tī oriori Ka tangi te ngākau tangata No reira, tenei te mihi Kia koe, kia ora rā.     Our admiration goes to to you our sheltering tree. And so this is our wish "May you have a healthy happy life." Like the chant of the bird crying out The heart of the people cries out. And so this is our wish "May you have a healthy happy life."
For your dad's birthday, or grandfather's anniversary, you could perhaps sing "Kia koe te Totara nui."

Robbie Ratana

Robbie Ratana (right) was the lead vocalist of the Maori Volcanics in the mid 1970s when he wrote Maku e Mihi.

The Maori Volcanics

Formed in Sydney in 1964, the Maori Volcanics became the most successful and enduring of the Maori showbands. Their routine included songs and dances from the South Pacific and comedy, ballads, trick instrumentals, group impressions, and saxophone solos. The original Maori Volcanics line-up survived relatively unchanged until 1972. Prince Tui Teka, Dalvanius Prime and Billy T James all started their careers with the Volcanics.

They performed in over thirty-five countries including Australia, Japan, Vietnam, Turkey, Israel, The UK, USA, Canada and Ireland.

Like all showbands of the time, each Volcanics performer was required to play at least three instruments, sing, dance, act, and do comedy skits. Nearly twenty years after most others have disbanded, the Maori Volcanics showband is still performing in Australia and New Zealand. Manager Mahora Peters says they are always looking for fresh talent to join them. "You have to play at least three or four instruments. It's a lot of work. It's not just about standing there. You've got to do the comedy, too."

Maku e Mihi on record

1997, Maori Volcanics, Kia Ora CD 2003, Maori Volcanics, 1967-2002 CD 2003, Dennis Marsh, Out of New Zealand CD 2004, Raymond Solomon, Woman CD

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Published on the web on the 9th of May 2006