This waiata aroha is of uncertain origin. According to one, the poet belonged to Ngai Tamaterangi, in the Te Waiau valley in the Wairoa district, while Manuhiri and Te Wharekura, mentioned in the third verse lived immediately to the north, in the Waikaremoana district. Nothing else is know about Manuhiri and Te Wharekura.
TAKU AROHA
Ki a tātau i te ahiahi
Kauruki nei e
HE WAKA IA RĀ
Kia tōia ngā mātārae
Ki Rautahi rā
OMANGA WAKA
Te Ruawai ka hōkai au
Kei Marutata
MOEA IHO
Nei e au ko Manuhiri
Ko Te Wharekura
OHO RAWA AKE
Nei ki te ao ko au anake
Te tuohu nei e.
E HIKA HOKI
E kuika nei he matua ia rā
Tē tahuri mai nei
KO WAI I TE MEA
Ka rukupopo ka whakamate
ki tōna whenua
Good too find waiata i havnt heard in ages. After te matenga o toku papa i wareware au i enei waiata. Now to brush up on all nga waiata moteatea ano.
Ngä mihi mö tënei….
I’ve not heard this before, is there a recording please so I may learn it? My grandmother is from Rangiähua, Ngäi Tamaterangi te hapü. Kia ora.
Tuhoe sing a different rangi (tune) to Ngāti Awa.