How to: Wī Wake

This song reflects the journey undertaken by Wiremu Tāmihana Tarapīpipi Te Waharoa and Mātene Te Whiwhi to establish the Kīngitanga—the Māori King Movement. Their process involved extensive travel across the land to petition many of the most revered paramount chiefs, asking them to consider accepting the Kingship. Initially, every chief declined, including Pōtatau Te Wherowhero. It was only after a significant nationwide hui (gathering) at Pūkawa, where the paramount chiefs reached a consensus, that Pōtatau was asked again. He then agreed to take up the mantle and become the first Māori King. The song firmly preserves the names of the chiefs who were approached, alongside their tribal regions. The recurrent reference to food is a metaphor for each chief's apprehension to successfully manaaki (uphold the prestige, care for, and host) the weight of the Kingship. This is an educational resource to help future students of Te Whare Haka o Te Maurea Whiritoi learn the words, translations, actions and guitar chords for our standard repertoire of waiata, poi and haka. Join our future generations of Te Maurea Whiritoi kaihaka in learning this item. See more from Te Maurea Whiritoi here: https://linktr.ee/temaureawhiritoi NGĀ KUPU Poi whiua Whakarongo koutou ki te ara whānui I tū ai te Kīngitanga o te motu e Auē hī, auē hei auē Hī auē, hei auē He tangata tino nui engari tana mate He kōkopu ana kai e He kōkopu ana kai e Wī wake ki Whanganui e Ki runga i a Tūroa He tangata tino nui engari tana mate He kōkopu ana kai e He kōkopu ana kai e Wī wake ki Taupō e Ki runga i a Te Heuheu He tangata tino nui engari tana mate He pangare ana kai e He pangare ana kai e Wī wake ki Rotorua e Ki runga i a Te Amohau He tangata tino nui engari tana mate He kākahi ana kai e He kākahi ana kai e Wī wake ki Tūranga e Ki runga i a Te Kani-a-Takirau E kī ana tana puku he tangata tino nui Nō Te Tairāwhiti e Nō Te Tairāwhiti e Wī wake ki Ngāpuhi e Ki runga i a Te Wāka Nene He tangata tino nui engari tana mate He kūmara ana kai e He kūmara ana kai e Wī wake ki Taranaki e Ki runga i a Tītokowaru He tangata tino nui engari tana mate He Pākehā ana kai e He Pākehā ana kai e Wī wake ki Waikato e Hapainga ngā waewae He piko he taniwha, he piko he taniwha Mau ana te wehiwehi Mau ana te wehiwehi Ara ake ko Pōtatau Tāwhiao, ko Mahuta Ko Te Rata, ko Korokī, Te Ātairangikaahu Ko Kīngi Tūheitia Ko Nga wai hono i te po Ko Kuīni Nga wai hono i te po Wī wake ki Waikato, he piko he taniwha Waikato Taniwharau Hī!