“Ka Pīoioi E” – Koka Lagoon Cruise & Raumata Students Rendition (Original)

Since first sharing this video on TikTok, I've witnessed its widespread appreciation, with many individuals embracing the fusion of both Aotearoa Māori and Kuki Airani Māori cultures. However, with each appreciation, I’ve not only seen others taking credit for the original content, but also not being able to speak about those who were there. I hope that this might shed some light for those looking for answers. As part of my work at CIDANZ (@cianzakl), my co-workers and I travelled to Rarotonga in December 2023 to test a Cook Islands Māori cultural immersion programme tailored for Cook Islands people living and working in Aotearoa. While there we had the privilege of spending the day with these Ruamata students, returning locals, and tourists on Koka Lagoon Cruises. Koka Lagoon Cruises is a locally family-owned business that started in 2010. They have a multi-talented crew who not only entertain passengers, but also provide cultural experiences in/on the water and land. The students reasons for travelling to Rarotonga were unknown to us, however we had previously seen these students visit Avana Point in Muri, and locations where our Tupuna and history had intersected. Similar to these students, a few of my co-workers and I were too uncovering our own connections to Rarotonga and wider enua's. This moment with Koka was not rehearsed in any way and perfectly displays two cultures interweaving harmoniously. To the students of Ruamata and the Koka crew, meitaki atupaka for a wonderful day on the water. It is certainly a memory we look back on fondly, and now one others have come to enjoy too. KUPU MĀORI: Ka pīoioi 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. Video Details: 🌺 Filmed 8 December 2023 in Rarotonga, Cook Islands by Janet Akai on Koka Lagoon Cruise. 🌺 Students of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ruamata from Rotorua, Aotearoa accompanied on the drums by Koka Lagoon Cruise Staff. 🌺 Students: Jaedyn, Rorena, Te Awhai and Makai (names supplied by TikTok commenters). 🌺 Relative: allday_83: https://www.tiktok.com/@allday_83?_t=... Links: 🌺 Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ruamata: https://ruamata.school.nz/about 🌺 Koka Lagoon Cruises: https://www.kokalagooncruises.com/ 🌺 "Ka Pīoioi E" History & Lyrics: https://www.folksong.org.nz/ka_pioioi... 🌺 Originally uploaded to TikTok (https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS6hFPGxa/) on 26 DEC 2023