First draft 1991
This version 2006
mea pai tenei haerenga this is a good journey
ngaro nui, wai makariri big waves, cold water
e kite te ahua o te waka observe the form of the canoe
kei muri a tatou behind us
he tangata noa iho only people
tu ana taurapa the sternpost standing
matakitea seer of mystery
kei mua a tatou ahead of us
he tangata noa iho only people
wero ana tauihu the prow a challenger
ki te moana nui a kiwa to the great ocean
A ha ha! A ha ha!
hoeia ra te waka nei put your backs into it
waka tangata we’re all in this together