Karakia and waiata

It is part of Maori tradition to begin a meeting or occasion with a karakia. The purpose is to focus on the tasks ahead. There are many types of karakia that are particular to the kaupapa or reason for the gathering. They have deep meaning and are a poetic art form. Karakia is a traditional way of beginning the day with a mindful disposition, helping to learn new language in context.

This is the karakia we will be using this term as a syndicate to start our day.

Whakarongo ki te tangi ä te manu i runga i te rangi- Tui, tui, tuituia!

Tuia i runga, tuia i raro
Tuia i roto, tuia i waho
Tuia i te here tangata
Ka rongo te ao, ka rongo te po
Tīhei mauri ora

(Listen to the call of the bird in the sky-bind, bring together, bind!

Bind the things above, bind the things below.

Bind the things inside and the things outside.
Bind all the people together.

Listen to the sounds of the day, listens to the sounds of the night.

We are united.)

This is the waiata that we will learn to sing after the karakia. It speaks of kahikatea trees and how they support the growth of each other by growing in groups.

E tu kahikatea

E tu kahikatea

He whakapae ururoa

Awhi mai, awhi atu

Tatou, tatou e.  X2

(Stand like the kahikatea (tree), To brave the storms, Embrace and receive, We are one together.)