TAINUI

Refrain Sit proudly, breathe deeply and remember, my brothers.
Call Kupe, call Maui and the ancients of lore.
The voyage is over - we glide to our harbour.
Call Kupe! Call Maui! And the fathers before!

Rangi-atea, consigned to memory.
No vesitge remains but this waka, this spear.
Glide over green waters, Tainui, our tree.
This anchorage, Kawhia, this harbour is home.
Remember the journey, the sons and the moons;
The days on the ocean with thresher and whale;
Tainui - noblest of a thousand sea creatures,
Bearing its people with backbone and pride. Refrain

Remember the warriors, the sons and the daughters,
Who guided her here, to this land of the seas.
Hoturoa, our captain, whose mana is great;
Great Rangatira, wise father and chief.
Riu-ki-uta, who sees in the dark!
His skill in the night, mokopuna of Kupe.
Whaka-oti-rangi, our mother, our spirit.
Taikehu, the scout, who led us to the Manukau. Refrain

Remember the deeds, harbingers of legend -
New deeds and new stories that challenge the old.
Tossed in the surf at the far eastern cape,
Thrown back to the sea by Te Arawa waka.
Wandering waka. No home for Tainui,
Till Riu-ki-uta, who sees in the dark,
Opens the pathway, the landbridge - Otahuhu -
From Waitemata to the Manukau sea. Refrain

Our potency dwindles. Tainui sticks fast!
The strength of the warriors sucked from their bones.
Till Te Okaroa was hung on the tree,
So the water of the west could be drunk by this waka.
Kanae and kahawai, mutton bird and crab.
Ocean of plenty from Kaipara to Mokau.
Suns by the dozens and moons without end,
Till wise Hoturoa leads his people to rest!
 
Yes...sit proudly, breathe deeply and remember, my brothers,
The odyssey ends at this beach Maketu:
This anch'rage, this landfall, this home of Tainui ...
Home from the seas, our new Hawaiki.
 
Refrain

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