Wairua tapu

Foreword Waiata is a medium widely used in Māori culture to connect internally and externally, spiritually and physically with people and the environment. It is the substance and style of our very existence. It has many forms of expression that permeate through cultural practices that allow Māori to welcome, farewell, acknowledge, express, cleanse, heal, shed, give thanks, share, give, uplift and recover towards health and well-being. Therefore, the waiata in this booklet are categorised into three groups for use on specific occasions. Updated September 2020

Acknowledgement

We acknowledge and give thanks to the composers whose songs feature in this book. We appreciate the beautifully-written, noble thoughts in their compositions. The purpose of this song book is to assist you in learning these songs, to uplift your spirit, bring happiness, have fun and entertain yourselves.

Mihimihi

E whakanuia, e aumihi ana ki ngā kaitito o ngā waiata kei roto i tēnei pukapuka waiata. E whakamiha ana ki ō rātou kupu ataahua, whakaaro rangatira hoki kei roto i ō rātou titonga. Ko te take o te pukapuka nei hei awhina i ā koe ki te ako i ngā waiata nei hei hiki i te wairua, hei whakakoakoa i te ngākau, hei manahau otirā hei whakangahau hoki i te tangata.