Ka Pioioi

Loki Fleck — March 18th, 2025

Ka Pioioi is a waiata about the love of a hometown, traditionally sung to those returning from overseas.

Ka pīoioi1 e
Tohu aroha haukāinga

E hoki mai rā
Kia kite atu i tō iwi e.

E rotarota ana
E katakata ana mai rā.

Pūkana whētero mai
I te ihi ā ō mātua.

Kia kite atu ano
I tō ataahua ai kanapa

Pupuhi ai e te hau
Kapohia āku roimata.

Ka pīoioi he
tohu aroha haukāinga.

This swaying dance
shows the love of your home-town people.

You've come back home,
to see your people.

There is gesturing and
laughing with joy at your return,

Eyes popping and tongues thrusting
from the energy of those performing.

I see again
your beauty gleaming there
caressed by the wind,
and my tears are snatched away.

This fluttering dance
shows your home-town people's love.