He Kakano ahau
Hohepa Tamehana, 2001
He kākano āhau
I ruia mai i Rangiātea1
And I can never be lost
I am a seed, born of greatness
Descended from a line of chiefs,
He kākano āhau
Ki hea rā āu e hītekiteki2 ana
Ka mau tonu i āhau ōku tikanga
Tōku reo, tōku oho-oho,
Tōku reo, tōku māpihi maurea3
Tōku whakakai marihi
My language is my strength,
An ornament of grace
Ka tū ana āhau,
Ka ūhia au e ōku tīpuna4
My pride I will show
That you may know who I am
I am a warrior, a survivor
He mōrehu āhau
Ki hea rā āu e hītekiteki ana
Ka mau tonu i āhau ōku tikanga
Tōku reo, tōku oho-oho,
Tōku reo, tōku māpihi maurea
Tōku whakakai marihi
My language is my strength,
An ornament of grace
I am a seed
Scattered from Rangiatea
And I can never be lost
I am a seed, born of greatness
Descended from a line of chiefs,
I am a seed.
Wherever I may roam
I will hold fast to my traditions.
My language is my cherished possession
My language is the object of my affection
My precious adornment
My language is my strength,
An ornament of grace
Whenever I stand,
I am clothed by my ancestors
My pride I will show
That you may know who I am
I am a warrior, a survivor
I am a remnant
Wherever I may roam
I will hold fast to my traditions.
My language is my cherished possession
My treasured Tiger Shell
My precious ornament
My language is my strength,
An ornament of grace