Waiata: Tēnei te Kura

Waiata are an important part of our cultural identity. They are another one of the ways through which we express our Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tōtanga.

They are also a key component of whaikōrero in that, traditionally, traditionally, waiata followed each speech made by a kaikōrero on Marae and at other Māori functions and settings. The same practice is followed today.The waiata add to, or complement, what the speaker has said.

‘Tēnei te Kura’ is a Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō mōteatea that has been revised and is now widely used amongst our iwi.

It was composed by Mohi Te Ua and speaks of the strong connection he had with his ancestral lands. He mentions a number of Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō wāhi tapu, including some areas south of the now recognised Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō boundaries. This strongly indicates that Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō may have had traditional connections with these wāhi tapu as well.

He waiata na tetahi Rangatira o Ngāti Apa

Ko Mohi Te Ua tona ingoa, i a ia e noho ana ki Waikanae