Utaina (Song and Haka)

Utaina (Song and Haka)

As part of learning Te Reo Maori we learnt the song "Utaina" with Miss Johnston and Mr Moemai. The girls learnt actions to the song and the boys were starting to learn the haka. Below is the "kupu" or words to the song with the English translation. 

This song is used frequently in schools during the "Powhiri" or welcome at the start of the year. The song describes the "Waka" or Maori canoe and how visiting tribes called "Manuhiri" were welcomed by "Tangata Whenua" (the hosting tribe). This is the same way that the year 8 welcome the new year 7 students at Raroa. 

Here are the lyrics (Kupu)

Utaina mai ngā waka Ngā waka o te motu Tōia mai rā ki uta Ki te tako toranga. hiki 'nuku, hiki e Hiki rangi, runga e Tēnā, tēnā rā koutou katoa.		Put everyone aboard the canoes, the canoes of the island. Thrust the canoes shorewards to the place where they will lie. Swing your paddles down, swing them Swing your paddles skywards, swing them Greetings, greetings to you all.
	(Boys Haka) A Utaina! 'a-hi! A Utaina! 'a-hi! A utaina mai ngā iwi o te motu Ki runga Raroa e tau e. A hiki 'nuku e! A hiki rangi e! A hiki rangi e! A hiki 'nuku e! Ka hikitia i tā nga iwi Ka hapainga tāna waka Aue! Aue! Aue! Ha! Aue! Aue! Aue! Ha! Hei!		Man the canoes Yes! Seize the paddles! Yes! Put aboard all the tribes of the island onto ..Raroa.. here. Thrust your paddles down deep Flip them now to the heavens Lift them skywards Now thrust them down deep. A ha ha! It is urged on by everyone Their canoe is raised on high Aue, aue, aue, ha! Aue, aue, aue! Ha! Hei!