Kāore taku raru
Watch the video and learn the words to Kāore taku raru, a waiata that speaks to strength and perseverance.
Kāore taku raru is the official waiata of Te Herenga Waka Marae, composed by Te Rangiāhuta Ruka Broughton shortly before his passing in 1986, just a few months before Te Tumu Herenga Waka was opened. It reflects on his ill health, seen as the utu for the building of the wharenui, and urges students and staff members who enter the wharenui to uplift each other, to think critically, and to engage in higher learning. This waiata is performed by the tangata whenua during most pōwhiri at Te Herenga Waka marae.
It is important to note that this waiata is sung only by the tangata whenua of the marae, and is not appropriate for anyone coming on to Te Herenga Waka as manuhiri.
| Kāore taku raru te āta mōhiotia | My sickness is unresolved |
|---|---|
I ngā rau rangi nei, | These many days past |
Ko ngā ngaru kai waka | It afflicts me like the canoe eating waves |
I te au a Tāne, | Raging against Tāne. |
Pākia mai rā | To be slapped |
| E ngā pōtiki a Rakamamao, | By the winds of Rakamamao |
| E hūhū rā he hiku taniwha pea ngē, | That swishes like the tail of the taniwha |
| Kei te aukume, | and creates a whirlpool |
| Kei te aurona, | an ever deepening whirlpool |
| Kei te aukaha | That gathers strength |
| Te tau a Whiro. | And causes Whiro to sing. |
| E tū e hine mā, e tama mā, | Arise young men and women, |
| Whakaarahia ake ngā poupou | Raise the posts |
| O tō whare | Of your house, |
| O Te Herenga Waka | Te Herenga Waka, |
| Me tōna tāhuhu | And its ridge pole |
| Ko te pātaka kai iringa hoki | The storehouse from which suspends |
| O te kupu o te kōrero | the words and history |
| A te kāhui kahika o ngā rā ki tua | of past times. |
| Kia toka ia nei | Make strong |
| Te paepae tapu | the sacred benches |
| Kei ngā waha kākā nui a Tāne, | of the speakers of Tāne |
| Kei ngā manu tīoriori | of the singing birds |
| Pari karangaranga o Rongomaraeroa, | that reverberate on the marae |
| Pūkana whakarunga, | stare fiercely above, |
| Pūkana whakararo. | Stare fiercely downwards |
| Ko Poutūterangi tonu | 'Tis Poutūterangi |
| Kei ngā huihuinga a Matariki, | of the gathering of Matariki |
| Hei rāhiri mai i te ngahue tangata, | that welcomes the multitudes |
| Ka huri au ki te whare | thus I turn to the house |
| Mō wai rokiroki hai! | Of infinite calm. |