Words & Music:  Unknown

We learned this song at a workshop given for us by Rachel Hore in 2002. It soon became a popular favourite in the choir, both for its beauty and for the way it celebrates Maori culture and personal integrity.
(That said, do please email us if you can improve on our translation!)

Taku mana, taku ihi
Taku tapu, taku wehi
Te reo kare tu teka purpuri
Nga ihi o te ra

My mana (personal authority) my power my sacredness my awe and fear
The voice without mana cannot shine out with the power of the sun