Waitangi te Tiriti (reo tautoko)

VIDEO DESCRIPTION:

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TEACHING SUGGESTIONS

This waiata is about the Treaty of Waitangi. It takes the history of the actual treaty document - ignored and mistreated - and makes that a symbol of the history of Māori since the signing of the treaty. It is a protest song, using strong, decisive language to deliver a powerful message.

Older students could compare this waiata with other songs about the treaty, such as Moana Maniapoto’s “Treaty” (Moana and the Moahunters [1998], Rua, Tangata Records/BMG).

The composer of “Waitangi te Tiriti”, Dr Hirini Melbourne (of Tūhoe and Ngati Kahungunu descent), was a highly respected teacher and performer of Māori music. His large collection of recordings has inspired a generation of Māori musicians, and his work with Richard Nunns has contributed greatly to the revival of traditional Māori instruments.

Dr Melbourne was Dean and Associate Professor at The University of Waikato’s School of Māori and Pacific Development. He was also a member of both the New Zealand Film Commission and the New Zealand Music Industry Commission. He died in 2003, at the age of 53, only days after being made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori language, music, and culture. After his death, RIchard Nunns was regarded as the world's foremost authority on Māori instruments and he passed away on 7 June 2021, both inspiring the revival in taonga puoro.

At level 5 of the arts curriculum, students are required to compare performances of a musical work. “Waitangi te Tiriti” is ideally suited for this purpose, with students able to compare this performance to that found on He Waiata ma te Katoa on the TKI site.

The male singer of our version, Hoani Maniapoto, is of Te Ātihaunui-ā-pāpā-rangi descent. His dialect when singing this waiata reflects this background. Note the “w” treatment of “whenua” - Hoani doesn’t use the “ f ” sound.

At the end of this waiata, note the transliterative nature of the comment “He Tiriki/Te Tiriti”, which could make a good discussion point.

TRANSLATION
Momentous
He tiriti, whai tikanga

Autonomy
He tiriti, mana motuhake

The Treaty of Waitangi
Waitangi te Tiriti

Was drawn up by strangers
He mea hanga e tauiwi

A mat of conditions
Hei whariki tikanga

Put before the tangata whenua
Mō te tangata whenua

In exchange for authority
Hei hoko mana kawanatanga

And the right to live on the land
Me te mana noho whenua

Keep hold of the chieftainship
Kia mau mai tonu ko te rangatiratanga

Keep hold of the chieftainship.
Kia mau mai tonu ko te rangatiratanga.

The Treaty of Waitangi
Waitangi te Tiriti

Written so long ago
He mea hanga i nehera

Faded by the sun
He mea whiti e te rā

Rained upon
He mea ua e te ua

Chewed by vermin
He mea kai e te ngāngara

And charred by fire
He mea tahu e te ahi

The words remain clear
Ko ngā kupu mārama tonu (mārama tonu)

The spirit of intent intact
Ko te wairua e kore e ngaro (ngaro)

The Treaty of Waitangi
Waitangi te Tiriti

A historic document
He taonga tuku iho

Which established principles
Hei paihere tikanga

To fulfil the virtues of equality
Hei whakaaraara manako

To ensure justice is done
Hei patu i te ringa hao o te ture

And wrongs are put right
Hei whakapai i ngā nawetanga

Safeguarding Ranginui and Papatūānuku
O Ranginui, o Papatūānuku

And all the people of Aotearoa
O ngā iwi katoa o Aotearoa

Safeguarding Ranginui and Papatūānuku
O Ranginui, o Papatūānuku

And all the people of Aotearoa.
O ngā iwi katoa o Aotearoa.

The Treaty of Waitangi
Waitangi te Tiriti

Is tricky
He Tiriki

The Treaty.
Te Tiriti.

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