NZ Folksong * Nga Puawai o Ngapuhi

"Here we are, the fruit of our parents' hard work, blossoming before them."

Whakarongo mai
Ki te reo e tangi nei
E ringihia mai ana
Mai i aku kamo
Nga roimata e

Whiti mai te ra
Ngaro ana te mamae
Ngaro noa te pouri
Kaua e mau riri
Anei ano he ra

Maranga mai e te iwi
O nga hapu Ngapuhi
Kia mau, kia u, kia pupuri ai
Ki nga akoranga nui

Takahia te ao
Ka kitea te iwi
E tu tangata mai tatou
Nga uri o ratou
Kua mene ki te po

Tenei te mihi
Ki nga kai awhina e
Ki nga whaea nga matua
Anei ra ko nga hua
E puawai ana mai

Maranga mai...

Listen
to the voice that is crying out
and see pouring out
from my eyes
the tears.

But as the sun shines
the pain disappears and
the sadness falls way
Don't hold any anger
for this is another day

Rise up all of you
of the sub tribes of Ngapuhi
and hold firmly and securely and forever
to the great teachings.

As you travel the world
It will be seen by everyone
that we are people who stand proud
we, the descendants of those who have been
lost in the night.

This is the thanks we give to you
To our aunts and uncles,
mothers and fathers
Here we are, the fruit of your labour
Blossoming before you.

History

This was written by school teacher Piripi Cope (Ngati Pakau from Te Mahurehure, southern Hokianga).

He wrote it in 1983 whist he was teaching at Wainuiomata Intermediate, and his class "Te Kahui Tamariki" were the first students to perform this waiata, which was at the time referred to as "Whakarongo Mai". It was written because he was annoyed that the language of his people was not being taught enough. This song was his way of expressing his view that Ngapuhi whanau should stand up and fight for the right to speak the language of their ancestors.

It was first recorded in 1994. Piripi died in 2001.

Kiwi Songs - Maori songs - Home

Placed on the web October 2009.
Thanks for information from Patricia Tipene in Sept 2010,
and from Clinton Thompson in May 2017