When Te Kooti made his peace with the government and was free to travel, he paid a visit to Ruawahia and found that his message was not as well received by the people there as it had been in some other places. In response he sang this waiata, addressing it to his supporters in Te Tai Rawhiti (East Coast).  According to Te Whanau a Apanui and the Delamere whanau, they do not mention Ruawahia but explain that Te Kooti composed and sang this song for Te Kohi Delamere and the people of Te Whanau a Apanui in 1887 when Te Kohi invited Te Kooti to the July meeting to be held at Maraenui on 1 July 1887.  His song was an acceptance of this invitation.

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E PA TO REO

E PĀ TŌ REO e te tai rawhiti e

Pākatokato ai te aroha i ahau

ME TIKA TAKU RORI me tika ki Maketu rā

Hāngai tonu atu te rae kei Kohi

KAI ATU AKU MATA kai atu ki Motu rā

He huihuinga mai nō nga iwi katoa

HOKI ATU E TE KINO hoki atu tō nohoanga e

Kai te haere tonu mai ngā ture

HE AHA RAWA TE MEA e toheriria nei e

He tūāhae kai kōrerotia te rongopai

ME TŪ AKE AU i te marae o te whare nei e

Ki te whakapuaki i te kupu o te Hūrae

HE AROHA I A NEI ki ngā mōrehu o te motu nei e

Mō ngā kupu whakaari e pānuitia nei

MĀ KOUTOU TĀTAU e kawe ki te wai wehe ai e

Kia mutu ake ai te aroha i ahau.