Waiata

[dianavilliers]

Waiata are frequently performed as part of formal occasions, including official meetings on marae. If government people are consulting with iwi, its a good idea to know  a few general purpose waiata.  Fortunately most New Zealanders learn at least a couple  at primary school . Hands up everyone who knows Tutira mai nga iwi. This disreputable mob for a start.  

The Ministry has its own waiata

Tēnei te mihi o te Manatū Waka
E mihi atu ki ngā iwi katoa
Ngā iwi o te ahu whenua e
Ahu moana
Ahu rangi
Anei matou

Mau ana ngā tikanga
Ngā āhuatanga e
Kia pai te haere o ngā iwi o
(HI) Aotearoa

Haka
Ko te Manatū Waka e ngunguru nei
Au au aue ha
Ko te Manatū Waka e tau nei
Au au aue ha (HI)

Kaua e wareware kei konei mātou
E awhi ana i a koe me o tamariki
He whakaaro nui tenei
A mātou e tu nei
Ngā rohe katoa (HI) o Aotearoa
Ngā rohe katoa (HI) o Aotearoa

Here's the translation:

This is the Ministry's welcome
Greetings to you all
We are the people of the land
The sea
The sky
Of everyone here

Hold onto our customs
Our ways of doing our work
May your journey be safe
All people from Aotearoa

Haka
Behold the Ministry of Transport
Standing ever vigilant
Behold the Ministry of Transport
Standing ever alert

Our greatest desire
For all New Zealanders
Is to be of assistance
Especially to the youth
Remember that
___________________________________________________________

Manatū  is a loan, from English, of 'Ministry'.  Waka originally referred to canoes, but has been extended to other forms of transport, for instance waka rererangi, meaning aircraft.
 
Here are a few more recordings of waiata.

Comments

[wcg.livejournal.com]

Thank you, especially for the YouTube link.

[siliconshaman.livejournal.com]

That's pretty darn cool actually... even if it does mean I'm screwed. Seriously, my singing has been declared epically Shatner-ian in nature.

[dianavilliers.livejournal.com]

Unless you're planning a career in the public service, education, social work, police or the military, I think you're probably OK. Anyway, this is one of those areas where enthusiasm counts more than skill.

[siliconshaman.livejournal.com]

Oh well.. I'm probably ok then, enthusiasm I can manage!

[sarahdotcom.livejournal.com]

Cool!

And awwww, the Waitangi Day pub crawl. I took part in what would appear to be the last one this year, since our new Mayor has outlawed drinking on the Tube.