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Writer's pictureEmily

Kōtare



Ētahi wā e taumaha ana ngā ngaru i te moana

E patu ana ngā waka e te au tuke, e te au miha

He uaua ki te kite nā te pūrehurehu o te rehutai

Te pae tata kua huna nā te pupuke o ngā wai

Whaia te iti kahurangi

Ki te tuohu, me maunga teitei

 

Kia mataara, kia māia

Toka tū moana

Kia mataara kia māia

Tutuki me te aroha.

 

He ngaru whakateo he kōtare, ko tēnā te kī

He pūhara i ngā taiapa o te pā hoki

Ko tēnei ka waiho iho mo te iwi

He waka eke noa, āwhina atu tētahi ki tētahi

 

Toka tū moana

Wanawana tutuki me te aroha

Me te aroha!

Kia Mataara kia māia

Kia mataara, kia māia!


 

THE KINGFISHER - A KŌTARE TRANSLATION

 

Sometimes the waves are heavy out at sea

Battering our waka under its weight

It gets hard out there to see through the haze

The horizon hidden by the swelling waves

 

Pursue that which is precious

If bowed down let it be to a lofty mountain

 

Be vigilant, be brave

Like a rock against the sea

Be vigilant, be brave

Overcome fear with love

 

A curly wave is a kōtare’s work, that’s what they say

And watchtowers were named after me too

This is what I want to leave with you all

Together we can succeed, so look out for each other

 

Stand like a rock against the sea

Overcoming fear with love

With love!

Be vigilant, be brave

Be vigilant, be brave!

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