Tōku reo tōku ohooho, also called Nei ra te kaupapa, is a waiata about the importance of speaking and retaining the Māori language.
KUPU MĀORI
Kaia - Toku reo, toku ohooho mapihi maurea whakakaimarihi
Nei rā te kaupapa o te reo māori e
He taonga tuku iho nō nga tipuna
Kaia - he parekawakawa
he parekawakawa, he mea hirahira e
Toku reo, toku ohooho mapihi maurea whakakaimarihi
Kaia - Korerotia te reo
Korerotia te reo i nga wa katoa
Kia kore e rite ki te Moa
Kaia - Mana tangata!
Mana tangata, mana mōtuhake
Tōku reo, tōku ohooho māpihi maurea whakakaimarihi
(repeat)
Nei rā te kaupapa o te reo māori e
He taonga tuku iho nō nga tipuna
Kaia - he parekawakawa
he parekawakawa, he mea hirahira e
Toku reo, toku ohooho mapihi maurea whakakaimarihi
Kaia - Korerotia te reo
Korerotia te reo i nga wa katoa
Kia kore e rite ki te Moa
Kaia - Mana tangata!
Mana tangata, mana mōtuhake
Tōku reo, tōku ohooho māpihi maurea whakakaimarihi
Tōku reo, tōku ohooho māpihi maurea whakakaimarihi
TRANSLATION
My language is my awakening
It is the object of my affection
It is the wreath that adorns my head
My language, retention is my responsibility
It is of the greatest significance
Speak the language at all times
Not like the Moa
It's our right and sovereignty
My language, retention is my responsibility
It is of the greatest significance
(and repeats a second time)