Prologue
Taupara mo Atawhenua
Tu wātea te Waka o Aoraki
Tu te ngahere a Tane
Nga wai keri a Tū Te Rakiwhānoa
Rere mai rere atu wai a Tangaroa
Honoa wai o maunga
Ki te Moana a Tawhaki
Papaki tu ki te moana
Tapokapoka a Tawhaki
Ka tu te mana
Te ihi
Te wehi
Te tapu
O Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe, Waitaha
Whano! Whano! haramai te toki
Haumi e,
Hui e,
Tāiki e!
The waka of Aoraki lay barren
Then tane created the forests
Tu Te Rakiwhānoa sculptured the fiords allowing
The sea to flow in and out and
Mix with the rivers that flow from the mountains to
The seas of the west
The waves of which clash
With those of the Great Southern Ocean
The prestige endures
The strength endures
The awesomeness endures
The sacredness endures
Of Kāitahu, Kātimamoe Waitaha
Its alive! Its alive! Bring on the toki
Gather
Bind
All is set!
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