A karakia waerea, a specific type of karakia used to spiritually clear a space. This karakia was recited by our tohunga Te Matorohanga to prepare the area called Te Hautawa at Papawai, for the famous wānanga held there in the mid 1800’s.

Whitiwhitia i te ora!
Whitiwhitia i te ora!
Ka ea ki runga
Ka ea ki raro
He tipua he tawhito
He ioio nui, he ioio roa
He ioio atua Tane te Wananga
Houhia te uru ora
He ueue tawhito, he ueue tipua
He ueue atua
Rongomai atua
E hua to tino
E hua to aro
E hua to ariki e
Kia tapatapatu
Kia tapatapa rangi
Ki nga rangi nao ariki
Ki nga rangi tatara
Kia eke tiritiri o nga rangi
Tuturu o whiti whakamaua kia tina, tina
Haumi e, hui e, taiki e!

This oriori belongs to Wairarapa and the descendants of Tuteremoana, Ngai Tara rangatira. This classical moteatea is rich in the stories of the people of Wairarapa and is known throughout Aotearoa for its references to knowledge and the child birth process. It is suitable as a waiata for most occasions.

1

Nāu mai e tama, kia mihi atu au;

I haramai rā koe i te kunenga mai o te tangata

I roto i te āhuru mōwai, ka taka te pae o Huaki-pouri;

Ko te whare hangahanga tēnā a Tane-nui-a-rangi

I te one i kura-waka, i tātāia ai te Puhi-ariki,

Te Hiringa-matua, te Hiringa-tipua, te Hiringa-tawhito-rangi;

Ka karapinepine te pūtoto ki roto te whare wahiawa

Ka whakawhetū tama i a ia,

Ka riro mai a Rua-i-te-pukenga, a Rua-i-te horahora;

Ka hōkai tama i a ia, koia hōkai Rauru-nui,

Hōkai Rauru-whiwhia, hōkai Rauru maruaitu,

Ka mārō tama i te ara namunamu ki taiao;

Ka kōkiri tama i a ia ki te aotūroa,

E tama, ē ī!

2

Haramai, e tama, whakaputa i a koe

Ki runga te tūranga mātua

Mārama te ata i Uru-rangi,

Mārama te ata i Taketake-nui-o-rangi,

Ka whakawhenua ngā Hiringa i konei, e tama!

Haramai, e mau tō ringa ki te kete tuauri,

Ki te kete tuatea, ki te kete aronui,

I pikitia e Tane-nui-a-rangi i te ara tauwhāiti,

I te Pu-motomoto o Tikitiki-o-rangi.

I karangatia e Tane-nui-a-rangi ki a Huru-tea-a-rangi,

I noho i a Tonganui-kaea, nāna ko Parawera-nui,

Ka noho i a Tawhiri-matea, ka tukua mai tana whānau,

Titi-parauri, Titi-matanga-nui, Titi-mata-kaka;

Ka tangi mai te hau mapu, ka tangi mai te rorohau,

Ka eketia ngā rangi ngahuru mā rua i konei,

E tama ē ī!

3

Haramai, e tama, i te ara ka takoto i a Tane-matua;

Kia whakangungua koe ngā rākau matarua nā Tu-mata-uenga;

Ko ngā rākau tēnā i patua ai Tino o Whiro i Te Paerangi

Ka heke i Taheke-roa, koia e kume nei ki te pō tangotango,

Ki te pō whāwhā o Whakarua-i-moko, e ngunguru rā I Rarohenga,

Ka waiho nei hei hoariri mō Tini o Tane-matua I te aotūroa.

I konei, e tama, ka whakamau atu ki te Pito-uru-rangi,

Kia Tu-mata-kaka, kia Tu-mata-tawera,

Kia Tu-mata-huki, kia Tu-mata-rauwiri,

Hei whakamau i te pona whakahoro kai nā Hine-ti-tama,

Ka waiho nei hei tohu ki a Tane-matua,

Ka whakaoti te pūmanawa o Tane i konei,

E tama, ē ī!

WELCOME O SON — A LULLABY

1

Welcome, o son, let me greet you;

You have indeed come from the origin of mankind.

From the cosy haven emerged, out from the barrier of Darkness-ajar

Out of the abode fashioned by the renowned Tane-of-the-heavens

On the sands at the Crimson Bowl, wherein the Exalted-one rejoiced,

In the implanting of parenthood, sacred implanting,

heavenly implanting in times remote;

‘Twas then blood welled forth flood-like to the house exit;

Thus like the stars, o son, were you conceived,

Acquired the recess-of–the mine, the recess of the spirit;

You then strived, o son, strived for a Rauru-of-renown,

Strived for a self-possessed Rauru, and strived against the fate Rauru

You, o son, remained steadfast on the narrow pathway to the wide world;

Then, o son, you leaped forth into the enduring world,

O son, ah me!.

2

Come now, o son, show yourself

Upon the threshold of your parents’ abode;

Bright is the morn at the Gateway-of-the-heavens,

Bright is the morn at the Base-of-the-heavens,

On this earth is implanted all knowledge, o son!

Come, grasp in your hand the kit of sacred knowledge,

The kit of ancestral knowledge, the kit of life’s knowledge,

Procured when the renowned Tane-of-the-heavens ascended by the tenuous pathway,

Thro’ the entrance to the Uppermost-heaven.

Tane called upon the White-glow-of-the-heavens,

Spouse of Wayward-southerly-gales who begat the mighty-northerly-blast

She espoused the Wind-god, and he released his family;

The Dark-piecing-typhoon, the Piercing-hurricane, the Hot-piercing blast;

Thence came the rising tempest, the piercing wind,

And ‘twas thus he ascended to the twelfth heaven

Oh son, ah me!

3

Come, o son, upon the pathway of Tane-the-parent;

To your dedication with the two-edged weapon of Tu-the-war-god,

Those were the weapons that smote the hordes of Whiro-the-evil-god at the Barrier of the heavens;

They fled down the Long-descent, and now lure (mankind) to the night of utter darkness,

The groping night of Rua-the-earthquake-god, who governs in the Nether-world,

Where he remains the enemy of the many offspring of Tane-the-parent in the enduring world.

Make your way now, o son, to the Outer-gateway-of-the-heavens,

Behold Tu-of-the-flushed-face, Tu-of-the-burning-face,

Tu-of-the-tormented-face, Tu-of-the-angry-face,

He will tie the food-knot of Hine-the-maid-deceived-by-the-male,

Which she bequeathed unto Tane-the-parent,

Thus possessed of all-talent was Tane thereafter,

Oh son, ah me!

This waiata tangi was composed by Hia-tangata. It is a lament for an ancestor who drowned in Lake Wairarapa. It is most suitable for use at a tangihanga.

1
E koro mā, i Tamoana rā ē ī,
Ko wai tō tātau, ē?
Ko tō tātau teina pāpā rā, ē,
Ko te Whare-kete rā;
Mō ngā taumata rā ia, e ī,
Mō tirotiro te whetu, e,
Mō ngā whana rere
Ki Tukuwahine rā, ē ī

2
Taku mokopuna, e kainga mai rā
E te wai, ē
Te wai marutuna;
Te wai rākau, ē!
He ware nō tāua, e hika, i konā;
Nō te mea ia rā ko ngā tauranga
Ki roto o Pakitara, ē,
Na ō kau i waiho, ē ī.

O SIRES ALL AT TAMOANA — A LAMENT

1
O sires all, at Tamoana yonder,
Who is it now from amongst us all?
Tis our junior uncle,
Tis Te Whare-kete;
He was of the summit,
He was the star-gazer,
He of the out-thrust limbs
Now lies at Tukuwahine yonder

2
My grandson over yonder was a victim
Of the waters, alas
Of the dangerous waters
Of the forest waters!
We two, dear one, failed sadly there;
All because of the landing places
In the vale of Pakitara,
Deserted by your elders, alas.

This waiata tangi was composed by Nukupewapewa. It is a lament for Te O-hanga-i-tua and Te Rangi-taku-ariki who were killed at Peehi-katia now known as Greytown. It is suitable for use at a tangi.

1
Haere atu rā, e tama māi! ē.
I te mate o te rākau, e tama! ē.
Tāu eanga i patua ai Kau-peka
I roto o Kauwharetoa.
Ka tangohia te manawa,
Ka poia ki a Aitu-pawa,
Ki a Rehua, ki a Tahu-rangi,
I te mata-taketake i tupea ai a Rangi.
Ki te poho o Rangi-tamaku i Tahua-roa.
I hikaia e Tupai, e Tama-kaka,
Ki te ahi tapu nā Rangi-nui.
I takahia ki Tauru-rangi ata mai,
Ka tū tōna ahi, koia te ahi tapu —
Koia te ahi toro, koia te ahi tipua
Ka puta ki te houmatapu
Ka ea ki te ao, e tama mā… ē.

2
Haere rā e tama mā ē!
I te ara ka takoto i Taheke-roa,
Kia karangatia mai koutou
Ki te Muri, ki Te Wai-hou,
I tō koutou tipuna, i a Rua-i-moko,
E whakangaoko rā i Rarohenga,
Ka puta te hū ki te tai-ao;
Koia Hinepuia i Hawaiki,
E tahi noa mai rā i te kauhika
Ki waho i te moana.
Ka tere Hine-uku, ka tere Hine-one,
Ka tere Para-whenua-mea
Ki a Hine-moana e tu mai rā
I Tahoro-nui-atea.
Ka whakapae ki uta rā
Koia Hine-tapa-tu-rangi,
E haere atu nā kōrua
E tama mā!… ē.

This song was composed by Tu-mai-te-uru for his grand-daughter Maota-i-te-rangi, a high chieftainess of Wairarapa. The song is suitable to demonstrate confidence and to assert one’s self against any indifference.

Tū tapairu, tēnei haramai nei!
Ko rēhia ki waho, ko te kaiwhakawai,
Hokahoka-i-te rangi, ko Maota-i-te-rangi!
Tū-ake, e hine, i te ihi o te whare, o Hui-te-ana-nui,
Ki whakairia koe te tau o Whakarewa,
Hei tohu mōhou ki te mano o Ngāti Kahungunu
Mō tāua, e hine, e kī mai nei ki te mōkai, ki te pori;
Mō Te Kowhiti-kareao, mō Te Taro-mahora,
Mō Te Piki-horo-noa, mō Te Koura-kai-rapaki.
Nā wai koa, e hine,
Kahu-kura-nui, ē, ko Rua-tapu-wahine;
Rakei-hiku-roa, ē, Tu-papa-uma;
Hine-rau-moa, ē, Rakei-whakairi;
Ka puta te tāhu nō Ira, ko tāua, e hine
Ngā huanui haerenga tangata mai o tawhiti?
I a Tamatea, ē, Hine-iwi mā nei;
I a Kahungunu, ē, ko Rongomai-wahine;

MAOTA-I-TE RANGI — A RESPONSE TO A TAUNT

A princess, indeed, is she who comes!
Let there be joy and happiness, the merry-maker will be
Heavens-floating-vision, Maota-i-te rangi!
Arise now, O daughter, within the house, Hui-te-ana-nui,
For the cord–fastening upon you of Whakarewa,
Your valued emblem among the thousands of Ngāti Kahungunu.
Indeed, for us both, O daughter, so-called slaves and common folk;
Because of Kowhiti-kareao, Taro-mahora,
Piki-horo-noa, and because of Koura-kai-rapaki.
Tell me, O daughter, of whom
Of Kahu-kura-nui and Rua-tapu-wahine;
Rakei-hiku-roa, Tu-papa-uma,
Hine-rau-moa and Rakei-whakairi;
Thus emerges the descent of Ira, unto you and me, O daughter.
Was the open pathway for travellers from afar?
T’was of Tamatea, of Hine-iwi and her kin;
Of Kahungunu and Rongomai-wahine.

A waiata tangi lamenting the death of Te Rangitumomotu. Te Rangitumomotu was killed by his relative Te Hiha. It is most suitable for use at a tangihanga.

1
Takoto mai, e koro rā, i roto i Okaraka,
Kia tāia koe e te moe patu kino
Nā tō taokete, nā tō whanaunga rā.
Māku e tangi nei ki te hau moana,
Hei mau atu ra i tō kakara;
He mokimoki rā nā tō kainga rā,

2
Ehara rā ia nei e, i te mea, e koro
Nāu rā i haramai; nāku i tangi tau
Ki te oha a tipuna, ki a Tane-nui-a-Rangi;
Koia Kowhao-nui, i tāraia koe
Ki Te Aka-tokai, ki a Wai-haroto,
Ngā toki tipuna, a Hine-ari, ē .

3
Takoto mai, e koro rā, i te huna a te moa;
Kia takoto koe ko Wai-haroto rā,
Tama-te-karearea hei hoa mōhou;
He taonga whakawai nā ō tipuna
Hei ngau tangata, hei hiki ki te pō;
Kia hoki mai koe ka pā ko te muri e, taukuri ē.

LIE OUT THERE O GRANDSIRE — A LAMENT

1
Lie out there, O grandsire, within Okaraka,
You were felled and stricken in a fatal sleep
By your brother-in-law,
I am left to mourn with the sea-breeze,
Which blows hither with your fragrance;
Like unto the scented mokimoki from your house
O grandsire, alas.

2
Was it not, O grandsire, the reason
You came was because I had cried grievously
For the heritage of your ancestors, Tane;
‘Twas thus with Kowhao-nui you were cleft in two
Together with Te Aka-tokai and Wai-haroto,
The axes these of your ancestress, Hine-ari.

3
Lie out there, O grandsire, like the hidden moa;
You should have rested with Wai-haroto
And Tama-te-karearea, as company for you;
The treasures boasted of by your ancestors,
With which men were stricken, and swept off to darkness,
You would then have returned to me,
With the north wind, ah me.

This tauparapara is from Ngāti Rakairangi, Ngāti Hinewaka and other South Wairarapa hapū. The tauparapara alludes to the lifting of the clouds from the Aorangi mountain as a sign that a person of importance has passed away. It is suitable for use at a tangi.

Taiahaha, taiahaha!
Taiahaha kua rere te kohu i Aorangi maunga!
Taiahaha kua rere te kohu i Aorangi tangata!
Taiahaha, taiahaha!
Kia hiwa ra, kia hiwa ra
Kia hiwa ra ki tenei tuku
Kia hiwa ra ki tera tuku
Kia tu, kia oho
Kia mataara!

A classical moteatea belonging to the people of Ngāti Kahungunu. It was composed for Te Umurangi and contains many references to Ngāti Kahungunu customs and history. It can be used as a waiata for most occasions.

Pinepine te kura, hau te kura,
Whanake te kura i raro i Awarua:
Ko te kura nui, ko te kura roa,
Ko te kura o tawhiti nā Tu-hae-po!

Tēnei te tira hōu, tēnei haramai nei;
Ko Te Umu-rangi, nā Te Whatu-i-apiti.
Nau mai, e tama, ki te taiao nei,
Ki whakangungua koe ki te kahikātoa,
Ki te tūmatakuru, ki te taraongaonga;
Ngā tairo rā nāhau, e Kupe,
I waiho i te ao nei.

Piki ake, kake ake i te toi huarewa,
Te ara o Tawhaki i piki ai ki runga;
I rokohina atu rā Maikuku-makaka,
Hapai o Maui, he waha i pā mai,
‘Taku wahine purotu!’ ‘ Taku tāne purotu!’
Kōrua ko te tau, ē

PINEPINE TE KURA — A LULLABY

Little tiny kura, the kura of renown,
The kura who came from below Awarua;
A noble kura, a famous kura,
The kura from afar off, the kura of Tu-hae-po!

A strange visitor is he, lately arrived here;
He is Te Umu-rangi, and of Whatu-i-apiti is he.
Welcome, o son, welcome to this world of life
You are to be ritually strengthened with the kahikatoa,
With the Tumatakuru and the Taraongaonga;
These are the obstructions that you, O Kupe,
Bequeathed unto this world.

Climb hither, ascend by the suspended way,
The pathway of Tawhaki when he ascended on high;
And there found Maikuku-makaka,
Attended by Hapai of Maui and greetings were uttered,
‘My beautiful lady! My handsome man!’
A tribute to you two, O loved ones.

KO TE AMORANGI
A waiata moteatea composed by the late Wi Te Tau Huata. It contains many references to classical Ngāti Kahungunu proverbs and whakatauki. The waiata can be sung to complement most occasions.

Ko te Amorangi ki mua
Ko te Hāpai ō ki muri
Te tūturutanga mahi pono
O te Māori mana motuhake
He mango pare amohia
O te waka Takitimu
Hei whakakuititanga
Hei whakakitenga

E rere e te huata hopukia
E rere e te mānuka tomokia
E kore e ngaro te kākano
I ruiruia mai ra i Rangiatea
E tōku hinengaro anō
He wā kāinga e hokia ana mai
Ki ngā rau murimuri aroha

Kia hora te marino
Kia papapounamu te moana
Kia tere te kārohirohi
Ko te Atua te kupu tuatahi
Ko te Atua te kupu whakamutunga
Kia whakapaingia te ingoa o Ihowa
Whaia te iti kahurangi
O te waka Takitimu

TIKA TONU ATU RA — HE HAKA
This unique Wairarapa version of the celebrated Ngāti Kahungunu haka was used by our rangatira Tutepakihirangi Kingi in his whaikorero at the 1860 Kohimarama Conference of iwi leaders near Auckland. Ngai Tumapuhiarangi continues to perform a similar version of this haka.

Tika tonu atu rā, ara hi aue hi!
Tika tonu atu rā, ara hi aue hi!

Tika tonu atu ki a koe e tama
Hiki nei koe aku whakaaro pakia
He hiki aha tō hiki,
he hiki roa tō hiki i ahaha,

E tama te uaua nā, e tama te maroro
Ina hoki rā te tohu o te uaua nā e tau nei
Ana hue, hue, hue ha, hi.

TIROTIRO KAU AU — HE WAIATA TANGI

According to some this waiata was sung by Te Rauparaha, according to others it was composed by a Ngāti Kahungunu rangatira. The waiata is an expression of grief for the departed and is most suitable for use at tangihanga.

Tirotiro kau au ki marae kainga….e rā
Kei whea koutou…..u
E ngaro nei e te iwi…e rā
Taku aroha ki nga tai e ngunguru…e rā
E rite mai ki te iwi
E ngunuru noa nei…e rā

TOIA MAI KI AOTEA — HE HAKA POHIRI

This is the haka pohiri that was recited to welcome guests to the major hui at Papawai during the time of the Kotahitanga Parliament. It was first used to welcome Lord Bledisloe, Governor General to Papawai in the late 1800s. The haka welcomes people to the meeting house Aotea at Papawai, the place founded on the Treaty of Waitangi.

Toia mai – ngā iwi!
Ki te urunga – ki Aotea!

Ki te takotoranga, i takoto ai, te Tiriti ki Waitangi e!

Toia mai – ngā iwi!
Ki te urunga – ki Aotea!

Ki te takotoranga, i takoto ai, te Tiriti ki Waitangi e!

Hi!

KA TAU, KA TAU HA – HE KARAKIA HE TAUPARAPARA

This version, of a widely recited tauparapara, is unique to Wairarapa. It is also an ancient karakia. It was recorded in the writings of our ancestors from Hurunui-o-rangi Marae and is suitable for use as a tauparapara for most occasions.

Tihei mauri ora
Tihei uriuri, tihei nako nako
Koia ka tau ka tau ki te papa i raro nei
Koia ka tau ka tau ki te rangi e tu iho nei
Koia rukuhia, rukuhia, te manawa pou i waho ra
Koia rukuhia, rukuhia, te manawa pou i roto ra
Koia rukuhia, rukuhia, te matuku mai i Rarotonga
Kia tina whakatina ki te more ki Hawaiki
E pupu ana hoki, e wauwau ana hoki
Tarewa tu ki te rangi
Kia eke Tangaroa kia eke Panuku
Whano, whano, haramai te toki
Haumi e, hui e, taiki e!

WHAKAEWA-I-TE-RANGI — HE ORIORI

Whakaewa-i-te-rangi was of noble Rangitāne birth. The oriori contains references to knowledge and is suitable as a waiata for most occasions

Uiui noa au e hine ko wai tō ingoa
I kawea ai koe e ō matua ki te wai tū ai
Māku e tapa atu i te ingoa ō tō tupuna
Whakaewa-i-te-rangi e hine.
Noho mai e hine i roto i te whare Taiwhetuki
I te whare nō tuarangi ka patua e Tane
Hei topetope i ana toko,
I a Toko-huri-nuku, i a Toko-huri-rangi,
I a Rakau-tuke, i a Rakau-koki, nga toko e hine.
I tokona ai te rangi runga nei.
Rere te maramara o Te Awhiorangi,
Ko te toki tēnā i topetopea ai ngā ngaru.
Ki te tangata nā wai rā e
Mau e ki atu, nā te Kahui Pou.
Na Pou-titi, nā Pou-tahae na Pou-korero
Na Kahu-taringa i tiki ki roto o Wharekura e hine e

WHAKAEWA-I-TE-RANGI — A LAMENT

I pondered, o daughter, what your name should be.
You were carried by your parents to the stream to stand there
While I named you with the name of your ancestress
Whakaewa-i-te-rangi o daughter.
Stay, my daughter, in the house of Taiwhetuki,
The house of ancient times overcome by Tane
So he could cut his props.
Toko-huri-nuku and Toko-huri-rangi,
Rakau-tuke and Rakau-koki were the props, o daughter
With which was propped up the sky above.
The chips flew from Te Awhiorangi;
That was the adze which cut down the waves.
If any man says, “From whom do you descend?”
You should say, “From the Kahui Pou,
From Pou-titi, from Pou-tahae, from Pou-korero
From Kahu-taringa who went inside Wharekura, my daughter.

TE TUKI WAKA — HE KARAKIA

This karakia is originally from the East Coast and is used to ensure a safe journey.

He rangi ki te karoro topa no paki-ki-tai o watea rere o te waka
Waiho ake rā ki muri ko tai-pupuni tai-wawana tai-arapuke tai-awhā tai-tupuhi
He awhiowhio ki muri he ripowai ki muri he marangai ki muri waiho ko te ngaru kaiwaka
E hoatu ki mua mania atu ki mua kia eke kia eke
Eke ki runga ra te ara takoto a Tane kokiri te ata takiri te ata arahina e Tane
Uhina te ata reikura uhina te ata reiora koana ki uta
E titihia rangihia kia rite te riterite kia rere te waka i runga i te hukahuka o Tangaroa
Ko rapanga te ati-nuku ko rapanga te ati-rangi
Maninitua maniniaro tangi te kura tangi wiwini tangi te kura tangi wawana
Tangi iere tangi komako
Tutuki maro te ihu ki uta hoatu ra te tangata ki uta
Turuki, turuki, paneke, paneke
Turuki, turuki, paneke, paneke
Eke ki tai, eke ki uta
Haumi e, Hui e
Taiki e

MAI-ARARA — HE TAUPARAPARA / HE KARAKIA

Mai-arara originates from Mangaakuta Pa, near Te Whiti and Masterton. The karakia can also be used as a tauparapara and is suitable for most occasions.

Mai-arara mai-arara
Mai-arara te rangi i runga nei
Mai-arara te papa i raro nei
Mai-arara te kahui ariki te kahui tipua te kahui tauira
Tuku ana, tuku ana
Tuku ana te reo kia rere, tuku ana te kupu kia taka
Tuku ana te take kia mau ueha, ueha
Ueha-nuku, ueha-rangi
Ueha tane-nui-a-rangi, tane whakapiripiri
Nana i toko te rangi ki runga nei kia tuhaha
Kia tu ke ana rangi, tu ke ana nuku
Ka tangi te hau ka matao ka ao ka awatea
He ao marama
Tihei Mauriora

TŪ MAI AWA — MŌTEATEA

The karakia of Ruawharo has been performed by Wairarapa people as a mōteatea for some time. The waiata can be sung to complement most occasions.

Tū mai awa, tū mai moana
Ko koe kei takahia noatia e au
Tupe au nuku, tupe au rangi
Whati ki runga, whati ki raro
Uru marangaranga
Pera hoki ra taku manu nui nā Tane
Ka tatau atu ki roto o nuku ngahere
Maia whiwhia, maia rawea, maia whakatakahia

Ka taka te huki rawea,
Koro i runga, koro i raro
Koro i Tawhirimatea ki ko rā koe tū mai ai

Ka hura te Tamatea nunui, ka hura te Tamatea roroa
Te kaua ka nuku, te kaua ka rangi
Te aio a nuku te aio a rangi
Te kura mai hukihuki te kawe au tetere
Kawe a nuku, kawe a tai oi
Tumatakokiriritia

Hoatu waka ki waho
Hoatu waka ki uta
Ngaru hinga atu, ngaru hinga mai
I runga te mata wahine, i raro te mata tane huki nawenawe
Tenei te waka ka whakairihia
Ko Takitimu te waka e
Ko Tamatea-arikinui te tangata.

E tama ma, e hine ma, areare mai o taringa whakarongo ki nga kupu-a-nga-tupuna ki nga kupu tawhito, korero tuku iho e….

Raparapa ona kanohi ko Wairarapa, ko te karu o te ika e…

Rere tonu ko te mihi mai ī nga ra o Kupe mai i Hau-Ariki, mai i Tupai whare, mai i Kohunui, Tuhirangi, mai i Aorangi me te taumata o Remutaka, mai i nga uri karanga o Ngati Hinewaka e…i

Ka aro nei ki te paepae tawhito me ona pou-kaitiaki, te korowai ko Papawai, me te whare Hikurangi, tutu te puehu, te rangatiratanga me te kotahitanga, ko nga uri o Ngati Moe e..i

Ruruhau mai ra Maungarake maunga, Hurunui-o-rangi ko nga uri o Raekaumoana, o Taneroa aue ko te wana ko te wehi e..i

Tauaro ki te moana ko Kaihoata awa rere ki raro iho i te maru o Te Maipi, Motuwairaka, Oruhi, Te Unuunu, Waikekeno, Ngai Tumapuhia-a-rangi e..i

Kauhoe ko te waka ki runga i te moana, ki a Kupukokore maunga, ki a Aohanga, ki a Mataikona, ki a Whakataki, ki Te Matirie, ki Rangiwhakaoma me nga uri o Te Hika-a-Papauma e…i

Tau aro ki te Tapere-nui-o-Whatonga, me ona Pukaha, Ko te maunga tapu e taumaru ana i te ngahere nui ra mai i Opaki ki Tamaki-nui-a-rua e…i

Mangatainoka, Ruawhata, Keremutupou, Te Pohatu, Ka taka Tirohanga na te ngungurutanga o Ruaumoko, tiraha tonu ra ko nga uri o Ngati Hine-te-aro-rangi e..i

Me huri te tirohanga ki nga wahine o Whatonga Pukeamoamo, Pukeahurangi ko nga tara e rua Tararua e…i

Mau ana taku maunga ko te rangi ki runga kia tu ake ra Rangitumau ruruhau tonu i te marae o Te Oreore, o Ngati Hamua e….i

Tenei matou o te Wairarapa o Ngāti Kahungunu, o Rāngitane, e tukutuku tonu ana i nga wananga uruuru tipua, uruuru tawhito, uruuru matua kia tu kia mau kia mataho e…i

This version, of a widely recited tauparapara / karakia, is unique to Wairarapa. Indeed, the now famous karakia originates from the writings of our tohunga Te Whatahoro. It refers to the acquisition of the baskets of knowledge by Tane and is especially suitable for use at any learning related occasion.

Tēnei au, tēnei au
Ko te hokai nei o taku tapuwae
Ko te hokai nuku, ko te hokai rangi
Ko te hokai nei o tō tipuna a Tumatauenga
Taku tapuwae, ko taku tapuwae nui nā Tane-nui-a-Rangi
I pikitia ai te Rangi Tuhaha
Te tihi o Manono
I rokohina atu rā ko Io te Matua Kore anake
Ka riro iho ko ngā kete o te wananga
Ko te kete tuauri
Ko te kete tuatea
Ko te kete aronui
Ka tiritiria, ka poupoua
Ki Papatuanuku
Ka puta te ira tangata
Ki te whaiao, te ao marama
Whano, whano, haramai te toki
Haumi e, hui e, taiki e!