Waiata | Whakarongo
He kupu tuku iho mō tēnei reanga
Whakarongo ki te reo Māori e karanga nei
Whakarongo ki ngā akoranga rangatira
Nā te Atua i tuku iho ki a tātou e
Pupuritia, kōrerotia mō ake tonu
Tirohia ngā tikanga tapu a ngā tīpuna
Kapohia hei oranga ngākau auē
Whiua ki te ao
Whiua ki te rangi
Whiua ki ngā iwi katoa
Kaua rawa rā e tukua e
Kia memeha e
Whakarongo ki te reo Māori e karanga nei
Whakarongo ki ngā akoranga rangatira
Tēnā kia purea e te hau ora e
He kupu tuku iho mō tēnei reanga
He kupu tuku iho mō tēnei reanga
Whakarongo
(Te reo, whakarongo)
Hearken, to the Māori language here calling
Be attentive, to these chiefly teachings
Handed down to us from God
Practice and protect it always
Hold fast, to the cultural treasures of the ancestors
Snatch at it, for your well being
Take it to the world
Take it to the sky
Take it to all the people
Not allowing it, to fade away
Hearken, to the Māori language here calling
Be attentive, to these chiefly teachings
May its spirit flow
As a legacy to this generation
As a legacy to this generation
Hearken!
Listen to your language!
This waiata, composed by Ngoi Pēwhairangi, is a heartfelt call to cherish and uphold te reo Māori and the wisdom of the ancestors. With its powerful language and uplifting message, it reminds us that our language, customs, and ancestral teachings are a sacred inheritance — a kupu tuku iho — to be treasured and passed on.
It is especially appropriate in educational settings, kaupapa Māori gatherings, reo revitalisation events, or any space where the value of mātauranga Māori is being affirmed. It may be used to open or close hui, particularly those with an intergenerational or cultural focus.
He kupu tuku iho mō tēnei reanga
Whakarongo ki te reo Māori e karanga nei
Whakarongo ki ngā akoranga rangatira
Nā te Atua i tuku iho ki a tātou e
Pupuritia, kōrerotia mō ake tonu
Tirohia ngā tikanga tapu a ngā tīpuna
Kapohia hei oranga ngākau auē
Whiua ki te ao
Whiua ki te rangi
Whiua ki ngā iwi katoa
Kaua rawa rā e tukua e
Kia memeha e
Whakarongo ki te reo Māori e karanga nei
Whakarongo ki ngā akoranga rangatira
Tēnā kia purea e te hau ora e
He kupu tuku iho mō tēnei reanga
He kupu tuku iho mō tēnei reanga
Whakarongo
(Te reo, whakarongo)
Hearken, to the Māori language here calling
Be attentive, to these chiefly teachings
Handed down to us from God
Practice and protect it always
Hold fast, to the cultural treasures of the ancestors
Snatch at it, for your well being
Take it to the world
Take it to the sky
Take it to all the people
Not allowing it, to fade away
Hearken, to the Māori language here calling
Be attentive, to these chiefly teachings
May its spirit flow
As a legacy to this generation
As a legacy to this generation
Hearken!
Listen to your language!
This waiata, composed by Ngoi Pēwhairangi, is a heartfelt call to cherish and uphold te reo Māori and the wisdom of the ancestors. With its powerful language and uplifting message, it reminds us that our language, customs, and ancestral teachings are a sacred inheritance — a kupu tuku iho — to be treasured and passed on.
It is especially appropriate in educational settings, kaupapa Māori gatherings, reo revitalisation events, or any space where the value of mātauranga Māori is being affirmed. It may be used to open or close hui, particularly those with an intergenerational or cultural focus.