Uepohatu cultural competitions - Waiomatatini students

waiomatatini.jpg

Students from Waiomatatini perform the song ‘Karangatia ra’ and the haka ‘Paikea’ during competitions held at Uepohatu marae in 1947. 

‘Karangatia ra’ was originally composed by Sir Apirana Ngata for the return of the Pioneer Battalion from World War I.  This version has been adapted slightly for this event.

The haka ‘Paikea’ establishes tells the story of the ancestor and his journey from Hawaiki.  He settled at Whangara marrying Huturangi and joining his genealogical line with that of the navigator Te Whironui. 

The marae hosted events held on the 12th and 13th of September that included cultural competitions with local school children, the opening of the Uepohatu War Memorial Hall, a reunion of ex-service people (including members of the Maori Battalion), a concert and the opening of the Uepohatu War Memorial Hall.  The hall was built to commemorate East Coast soldiers who died during the two World Wars. 

At an investiture ceremony held on the second day, seventeen decorations were presented to servicemen and women who had served abroad and on the home front.

The gathering was an important one, attended by thousands including the Prime Minister Peter Fraser, the Leader of the Opposition Sidney Holland and other members of Parliament.  Sir Bernard Freyberg, the Governor General opened the hall and unveiled two memorial tablets inside.

Transcript

Karangatia ra

Karangatia ra, karangatia ra
Powhiritia ra
Nga iwi o te motu
Nga mano tini
Haere mai
He hui aroha
Mo nga hoia
Ngau te aroha me te mamae

Haere mai e nga iwi
Haere mai e nga toa
Nau mai te kawana
Nga mana tiketike
Honoa mai te aroha
Haere mai
Nga ohaki a nga tupuna
Ngau nei te aroha me te mamae

Nau ra e Api
Nau ra e koro
Wero ki taku uma
Titi rawa i te manawa
Oho ana te mauri, aue ra
Taonga tukuiho a nga tupuna

Paikea

Kaea:
Tena i whiua
Uia mai koia, whakahuatia ake, ko wai te whare nei?
Te katoa: E ko Te Kani
Kaea: Ko wai te tekoteko kai runga?
Te katoa: E ko Paikea, e ko Paikea
Kaea: Whakakau Paikea.
Te katoa: Hi
Kaea: Whakakau he tipua.
Te katoa: Hi
Kaea: Whakakau he taniwha.
Te katoa: Hi
Ka u Paikea ki Ahuahu. Pakia
Kei te whitia koe ko Kahutia-te-rangi. Aue
E awhi o ringa ki te tamahine a Te Whironui
Nana i noho te Roto-o-Tahe
Aue, aue, he koruru koe, koro e



 

Reference:

Sound file from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, ref: 43116. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright.

Image Te Waiomatatini and Tikitiki students at Rangitukia in 1945.
J
ohnson, Owen, fl 1940s. The Waiomatatini and Tikitiki parties at a hui at Rangitukia - Photographed by Owen Johnson. Mackrell, Brent :Photographs relating to Poverty Bay. Ref: PA1-o-1038-09-4. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22510474

Submitter:
Submitted by mbadmin on

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