Manu makamutu

Nā Charisma Rangipunga

Kei whea rā taku manukura
Haumumu tō pie ki te ao
Ko pōkaikaha noa te kāhui pī nei
Ko haere atu koe ki te muri
i te ara e tāwhanawhana ana i te raki
Waiho atu nei au
Hai manu makamutu
Hai manu haea… e.. i

Where are you my chiefly bird?
Your call is now silent
and us fledglings are left disoriented, confused
You have gone on to the other side
following the arched pathway across the skies
and left me here
a bird abandoned
a bird maimed

Te whakamārama
This waiata taki lamenting the loss of a chiefly bird was originally composed for Maruhaeremuri Stirling, but can be sung to grieve the loss of all those who ‘have gone on to the other side’.

Download this waiata

Charisma Rangipunga
Nō Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Taranaki and Ngāti Kahungunu, Charisma has been involved with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu for many years and is now general manager of Te Taumatua (Culture and Identity). A published author of children’s books in Māori and composer of many waiata and haka for her marae of Wairewa, and for the wider tribal populace.