Tutira mai nga iwi

Māori Songs

Tūtira mai ngā iwi,
tātou tātou e
Tūtira mai ngā iwi,
tātou tātou e
Whai-a te marama-tanga,
me te aroha - e ngā iwi!
Ki-a ko tapa tahi,
Ki-a ko-tahi rā
Tātou tātou e
(Repeat)

Tā-tou tā-tou e E!!
Hi aue hei !!!

English Translation

Line up together people
All of us, all of us
Stand in rows people
All of us, all of us
Seek after knowledge
and love of others - everyone
Think as one
Act as one
All of us, all of us

All of us, All of us!!
Hi aue hei !!!

Additional Notes

This is a classic waiata (song) that is taught at school in New Zealand and almost every New Zealander knows. If someone starts singing this song anywhere around the world, a Kiwi would have no problem joining in. Every now and then you will even hear this waiata at stadiums too.

I received a message with the following information about this song:

The original third-to-last line in the song was "kia tapatahi" not "kia ko tapatahi" as it has been taught for generations. Kia tapatahi is another way of saying 'stand as one', or 'stand shoulder to shoulder'.

“There's no such word as 'kia kotapatahi'. (From interview with composer's daughter "Have we been singing Tūtira mai wrong?")"

If you found this Māori Song interesting or useful, let others know about it.