Tika Tonu Haka 2016

Performed for Pastor Bobby Bovell who was the guest speaker for SNZC Big Camp. Other speakers we acknowledged were Pastor Loma Ulia and Bernard Deojee.

Tika tonu - Ue!
Tika tonu - Ue!

Tika tonu atu ki a koe e tama
Hiki nei koe aku whaka aro pakia

Ehe hiki aha tō hiki
Ehe hiki aha tō hiki
I a ha ha

E tama te auauana
E tama te mārō
Roa Inā hokia

Teke ia te auauana
E tau nei
Ana kss, ana kss, ana kss
Aue Hi!

What is right is always right!
In - deed!
What is right is always right!
Ah... yes!

Be true to yourself, my son!
My concerns have been raised about you, so pay attention!.... .
What is this problem you are carrying?
How long have you been carrying it for?
Have you got that? Right, let's go on.

So son, although it may be difficult for you
and son, although it seems to be unyielding
no matter how long you reflect on it
the answer to the problem
is here inside you.
Indeed! Indeed! Indeed! Yes, indeed!

Origin

As far as is known, this haka was composed by Waimarama Puhara, a highly respected chief of the central Hawkes Bay area. Waimarama was born at Paki Paki in about 1875, the son of Urupene Puhara and Marata Herea, and he married Ngahiti Rautu in about 1900.

Apparently he composed the haka in about 1914 as a message to his son Moana, who had been born in about 1899 and had been attending St Patrick's College, Silverstream. At the time Waimarama could see his son was having difficulties - something like a chip on his shoulder or some other intangible problem.

Moana married Ngawini Cowan (Kawana) at Gladstone, near Masterton in January 1922. But tragically, he died only five months later.