We have been learning this very special waiata by composer Rahera Davies to sing down at the Macandrew Bay beach altogether to welcome Matariki on the morning of our special Matariki Celebration Day- Wednesday 26th June, 7:30am. Last year Mrs Ward saw a really cool post on Facebook of Stonefields and Kohimarama schools combining to sing this waiata at their beach...we thought now there is an idea! Here are the words and links to the song and video for you to learn.

Matariki By Rahera Davies, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syMAtXXzfPw&ab_channel=RaheraDavies

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?mibextid=w8EBqM&v=962744091629057&rdid=L5o5rg3Yqc24bgcg

Matariki

E ara e

Te Mātahi o te tau

Te Kohinga whetū

I te uma o Ranginui

E pīataata mai ana

Whakaataata i te rangi

E tohu ana

I te tau hou Māori e

Ko Tupuānuku

Ko Tupuārangi

Ko Waitī, Waitā

Waipuna ā rangi

Ururangi e

Te Mātahi o te tau

Te Kohinga whetū

I te uma o Ranginui

E pīataata mai ana

Whakaataata i te rangi

E tohu ana

I te tau hou Māori e

Matariki

Matariki

E ara e

Translation into English

Matariki, rise

First month of the Māori year

The collection of stars

In the chest of Ranginui

Shining bright

Reflecting in the sky

Indicating the Māori New Year

Tupuānuku

Tupuārangi

Waitī, Waitā

Waipuna ā rangi

Ururangi e

Matariki rise

(Pōhutukawa and Hiwaiterangi- missing from this waiata)

About this Waiata: Rahera Davies:

This waiata was written by Rahera as a request from her Mum, Julie who was a kaimahi at the time for Te tari taiwhenua (Department of Internal Affairs). She wrote the song in 10 minutes. It has a huge following. People contact Rahera from all over New Zealand and the world. This waiata is an example of how Māori can keep their stories alive. Many people contact Rahera to ask for permission to perform this waiata and Rahera is of the belief that waiata are written to be shared and sung. She does stress the importance of sharing with the group/or whoever is singing the waiata who the composer of the song is.