Te Maurea Whiritoi 2025

Kapa haka performance of Te Maurea Whiritoi from the regional competition at the Tainui Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Festival at Claudelands Arena in 2025, where the team placed third overall. Waiata Tira - Matariki Hao Ariki (0:00) 'Matariki Hao Ariki' serves as a heartfelt dedication to the late Māori King Tuheitia. The song's lyrics draw a powerful parallel, likening the thunderstorm that marked his passing to the profound and overwhelming sorrow felt by all those he left behind. It suggests that nature itself mirrored the deep, resonating grief that swept through the community at his loss, a fitting tribute to a leader whose presence was as impactful as a force of nature. Kīngi Tūheitia, haere atu rā ki ō nui i te pō. Whakaeke - Pōtaea (3:12) The year 1857 marked a defining moment in Māori history at Haurua, where the significant gathering of Te Puna o Te Roimata took place. Here, the elders and chiefs of Ngāti Maniapoto formally endorsed the collective decision of paramount chiefs from across the land to elevate Pōtatau Te Wherowhero of Waikato to the position of the first Māori King. This landmark occasion continues to cast a long shadow, as its method of affirmation is mirrored in the contemporary role of the Māori Queen, who, upholding her ancestral lineage, remains profoundly dedicated to ensuring the unity, vitality, and future of Māori language, identity, and culture. Whaikōrero - (5:40) Waiata Tawhito - Te Ao Mārama (8:04) Te Ao Mārama is the marae ā-kura (school marae) at Hamilton Girls' High School. For years, the profound stories and significance embedded within its carvings haven't been widely shared or understood. This pātere (chant) was therefore composed to preserve that vital knowledge and honor the influential women leaders (wahine rangatira) it represents. Waiata ā-ringa - Nō reira, e te Aumangea (10:50) In 1994, Tū Te Maungaroa performed Te Aumangea at the national kapa haka competitions in Hāwera. A core theme of that waiata was a palpable anxiousness for the future of the Māori language and culture. This song directly addresses that concern, serving as both a powerful tribute to past and present champions of te reo Māori, and a promise of hope for a thriving future for the Māori world. Poi - He Puna Aroha nā Te Puea (14:13) Te Maurea Whiritoi has had a very active year, frequently present at events held at Turangawaewae Marae. We extend our sincere gratitude to Te Puea's descendants for inviting our kapa to contribute to the manaakitanga of visitors from abroad. This participation has been crucial in deepening our sense of belonging and identity at Turangawaewae - a place known as the marae of the world and the marae of the Kingship. Haka - Ka whawhai tonu mātou (16:59) During the quest for the first Māori King, a pivotal declaration was made at Manawapou - that the land must take precedence over man - we shall stand our ground and fight. This unwavering resolve ultimately led to the Land Wars. Fast forward to today, the weapons have changed. Where once the musket reigned, now the pen is paramount. We draw immense inspiration from our ancestors' courage, channeling their bravery onto today's battlefield. Here, the descendants of the "Lion" (a reference to the British Empire) wield words instead of bullets, attempting to suppress Māori language, identity, and culture. These modern adversaries are fittingly described as the 'Toripoti Matarua,' or the two-faced pussy-cat. Whakawātea - Ka ora tonu mātou (20:09) Following the powerful theme of the haka, this item serves as a stirring call for Māori to awaken and unite. It addresses the adversity born from ongoing attacks on Māori language, identity, and culture, asserting that through this collective resolve, Māori culture will not only endure but prevail. As famously articulated by Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, the commitment is clear, not only shall we fight forever, but we shall thrive. Ka ora tonu tātou ake, ake, ake.