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