Ko te whirika o te taura takata Ahakoa uaina e te ua Whitikina e te rā Te taukaea o te aroha Ka mau ake tonu e
Ka eke mai (ka eke mai) He manene (he manene) I te reo rāhiri (i te reo rāhiri) O te hui e (o te hui e)
Ko te whirika o te taura takata Ahakoa uaina e te ua Whitikina e te rā Te taukaea o te aroha Ka mau ake tonu e
Ka tata mai (ka tata mai) Ka piri e (ka piri e) Ka tino te here o te whānau e
Ko te whirika o te taura takata Ahakoa uaina e te ua Whitikina e te rā Te taukaea o te aroha Ka mau ake tonu e
Bound together for eternity The braid of humanity Although it may be weathered by the rain Laid bare to the elements The interwoven connections of love Will hold for evermore You arrive As a stranger At the beckoning call Of our assembly We get to know each other We become fast friends Our bond as family is secured
This waiata was composed in 2011 by Charisma Rangipunga and Paulette Tamati-Elliffe, with the English translation by Komene Cassidy. It celebrates the enduring strength of human connection, using the metaphor of a woven rope that weathers rain and sun. The song speaks of love and unity binding whānau and communities together through all challenges. It is best performed in settings that celebrate unity, community, and enduring relationships—such as whānau gatherings, kapa haka, wānanga, and cultural hui. It should be used respectfully in contexts that honour its message of connection and resilience, and avoided in casual or commercial situations where its deeper meaning may be lost.
