Songs that celebrate Matariki: Ngā Whetū
This waiata by Hirini Melbourne is sung by Te Aute College, and talks about the heavens, star connections, and constellations, including the Matariki star cluster.
Songs that celebrate Matariki: Te Rahu Tapu a Tāne
Te Rahu Tapu a Tāne
By Te Whānau o Te Aute Kāreti
(Sing this waiata to the tune of Royals by Lorde.)
Tātaia ki runga rā, ko te kāhui kahurangi Matariki ahunga nui, Matariki tāpuapua |
The star cluster of the cloaked blue sky now arranged Matariki of procreation, Matariki of many water pools |
About this waiata
This catchy waiata was composed by Ruth Smith of Nūhaka in 2013 with students of Te Aute College, a boys’ only Anglican Māori boarding school in Pukehou, Hawke’s Bay. The school has many famous ex-pupils, including Sir Howard Morrison, Sir Pita Sharples, Norm Hewitt, and Piri Weepu.
This waiata is sung to the tune of Royals by Kiwi musician Lorde. It was originally composed as part of the students’ waiata tira (choral item) for the 2014 National Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Competition held in Gisborne.
The waiata celebrates the stars of Matariki. The word rahu, used in the song, is another word for kete. Rahu and kete both mean basket. The song talks about the baskets of knowledge in Māori mythology.
You might also like
Songs that celebrate Matariki: Mokohuruhuru
This song was written by Mark Kopua, a former student at Te Aute College, and talks about moving from darkness into the light of the day.
