Whakataka te Hau
Ngai Tahu c.1500
Origins
'Whakataka' is a modification of the final stanza of 'Tua, Tua,' a longer karakia telling how the waka Takitimu survived a storm when exploring the coast of South Westland because it was well-built and well-managed. It reminds us that the great natural forces can harm us, but if we work hard preparing for them, and then respond in harmony with them and in harmony with our ancestors' response, we are rewarded with warmth and calm, both literally and spiritually. credit - https://folksong.org.nz/
Whakataka tō hau ki te uru,Whakataka tō hau ki te tonga.
Kia makinakina ki uta,Kia mataratara ki tai.
E hi ake ana te ata kurahe tio, he huka, he hauhunga.
Haumi e! Hui e! Taiki e!
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Translation
The wind swings to the west,then turns to the south, settles down.
Making it prickly cold inlandMaking it piercingly cold at sea.
The glowing morning will riseon ice, on snow, on frost.
Join! Gather! Intertwine!
Making it prickly cold inlandMaking it piercingly cold at sea.
The glowing morning will riseon ice, on snow, on frost.
Join! Gather! Intertwine!
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This was given that tune in 2005 by Takirau Hohua of Tainui, The words are old from many generations ago.