Kötiro Mäori e taku ripene pai
O makawe hoki nga ngaru ate tai
Ko te pare huia
He tohu rangatira e
Ko Rongomaiwahine
O Nukutaurua e.

Maori lass, my gay ribbon
your hair like the ripples of the tide
a topknot of huia (feathers)
aristocratic symbol
Rongomaiwahine
of Nukutaurua.

Rongongia tö ataahua
E te whenua katoa
Tae atu te kohimuhimu
Ki a Kahungunu e
Ko wai te wahine e
Whakakapakapa te manawanui
Ko Rongomaiwahine
O Nukutaurua e

Your beauty known
throughout the land
then the whisper reaches
even to Kahungunu
Who is the woman who
breaketh so many hearts?
'tis Rongomaiwahine
of Nukutaurua.

Piki ake kake ake
Ki Te Mahia e
Ka kite tana hiahia
Aue Ko Rongomai e
Haere mai e tama rukuhia
Nga päua a Tangaroa nei
Ma Rongomaiwahine
O Nukutaurua e.

He travels northwards
to Te Mahia
and sees his desire
that is Rongomai
Come young man dive
for the paua belonging to Tangaroa
and give them to Rongomaiwahine
of Nukutaurua.

Nähau rä Kahungunu
Tangata whakanene
Na te päua
I raru ana koe Rongomai e
Maranga mai e hine
Ka ha ere täua e
Ki Maramatea
O Nukutaurua e.

It was you Kahungunu,
man of smooth manner
'twas the paua
that defeated you Rongomai
Come young lady
Let us two travel
to Maramatea
of Nukutaurua.

Tama ngäkau märie
Tama a te Atua
Tënei tonu mätou
Arohaina mai

Murua rä ngä hara
Wetekina mai
Ënei here kino
Wakararu nei.

Takahia ki raro
Tau e kino ai
Kei pä kaha tonu
Ko nga mahi hë.

Hömai he aroha
Möu i mate nei
Tënei ra e Ihu
Täkina e koe

Tënei arahina
A tutuki noa
Puta i te pöuri
Whiwhi hari nui.

Son of peace
Son of God
here we are always.
Show us compassion.

Wipe away our sins,
unshackle them
These evil ties
that are so troublesome.

Trample down
things evil to you
lest they gather strength,
all evil deeds.

Grant (that we may have) love
for You who died
(May) this be so Jesus,
(that) you lead us.

(May) this (then be); lead us
to the end, (so that we may)
overcome darkness
and attain paradise.

Patea Maori Club - Poi E Lyrics


(intro - solo a cappella : chanted by lead female kaea.)

te poi !
patua taku poi patua kia rite
pa para patua taku poi e !


e rere ra e taku poi poro-titi
ti-taha-taha ra whaka-raru-raru e
poro-taka taka ra poro hurihuri mai
rite tonu ki te ti-wai-waka e

ka pare pare ra pī-o-o-i-o-i a
whaka-heke-heke e ki a kori kori e
piki whaka-runga ra ma mui-nga mai a
taku poi poro-titi taku poi e

***chorus***
poi e whaka-tata mai
poi e kaua he rerekē
poi e kia piri mai ki au
poi e-e awhi mai ra
poi e tāpeka tia mai
poi e o taua aroha
poi e pai here tia ra


poi... taku poi e!

repeat solo a cappella : chanted by lead female kaea.

patua taku poi patua kia rite
pa para patua taku poi e !

verse & chorus repeated again, same sequence.

instrumental break, usually poi percussion.

then key change : repeat chorus on key change.

at end of song :
poi... taku poi e ! 4 times

then everyone chants at song's end :
rere atu taku poi ti ta' taha ra
whakarunga whaka raro taku poi e!