Waiata Kōhungahunga 1

E Toru ngā Mea

This song is about the Christian virtues of faith, hope, and the greatest of all - aroha. In Maori, aroha is synonymous with caring about, sharing with, and supporting people; or charity. It also means love. 

Tēnā Koutou

The words of this song contain a simple greeting. The song is easily taught to young children because of the way in which each line of the verse is repeated or echoed in turn. 

He Aha te Tae?

A song about colours; each verse begins by asking the colour of a group of things (flowers, cars, houses) and then lists the colours. When children have become familiar with the song, they might like to include other things, for example, shirts, dresses, leaves, or crayons. 

Pakeke Mai o Matimati

The actions for this song are: click your fingers, swing your leg to the side, turn in a circle, make your body dance, then clap! 

Ko Taku Upoko

This is a song to act out, and enjoy. It begins with the head, face, nose, mouth, eyes, and ears, and extends downwards to the chest, hips, stomach and buttocks, and to the legs. Lastly, the fingers and hands are brought into the play. 

Tōia Mai

This canoe-hauling haka is known throughout Aotearoa and is performed by school Maori concert groups, among others, when welcoming groups to their school. It urges groups to work in unison for the achievement of a task.