KO AU TE MOTU
Kaupapa - Context "Ko au te motu" is a waiata that celebrates the environment and women by acknowledging the connection between the two.
Composed by Michelle Lee.
Ko au te motu
Ko te motu ahau
E takoto ana
I te moana e
He arae tenei a
Hinemoana
E miri taku kiri I te tai
Makawe rere ana
I nga hau a
Hinehauone e
He mara tenei
A Hinewaiora
He uma maringi
I te aroha
Nga ngutu ngawari
A Hinepukohurangi e
Ko au te hureka
A Hineraukatauri
Kowhetawheta ana
I te po
Nga mata hikohiko
A Hine Te Uira e
Ko au he tamahine
A Papatuanuku
Maumahara koe
E te tau e …!
I am an island
The island is me
That lay here in
The ocean
This is an altar of the
Maiden of the sea
Who creases my skin
With her tides
My hair flies
With the winds of the
Maiden of sandy breezes
This is a garden
Of the Maiden of
Fresh Waters
Who’s bosom spills
With love
Soft lips of the
Maiden of the Mist
I am the sigh
Of the Maiden of Music
Who whispers in
The night
Electric eyes of the
Maiden of Lightening