Te Maurea Whiritoi | Poi | 2026 | Ko Te Poukai

Poi of Te Maurea Whiritoi from the National Secondary School Kapa Haka Competition 2026. Lyrics and tune composed by Matawai Winiata rātou ko Toti West, ko Frankie West. KUPU Tuputupu i te ranea, e, o Uruao, e roa, e. Matomato i te nukuroa, e, o Rehua, e tau, e. (Ka) tōtō kai, (ka) tōtō tangata, e. He pou whenua, (he) tōtō tāngata, (he) tōtō kai. Ko te Poukai, e, e Ā. Ka ngapu te whenua, ka haere ngā tāngata ki te puna aroha mō te pouaru, te pani, te rawakore (te take). He puna tangata, e Ā, e. Pārāweranui (ana) ngā hua o Raukawa ki ngā mangatawa o Rehua. Toro atu ki te whenua haumako (o) Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa. He pou whenua, (he) tōtō tāngata, (he) tōtō kai. Ko te Poukai, e, e Ā. Ka toru kapa ki te Tawhara Kai Atua. Ka kapakapa ki te huinga tangata. Nā Koro Eru, nā Koroki i whakaū, (ko) te kotahitanga kia mau. Mai i Ngā Kurī-a-Whārei ki Tihirau, tōia mai rā (a) Mātaatua, ki te takotoranga i Kōkōhinau. Kumea mai rā. Tōtōia, kumekumea. Tapareireia koia tapa, tapa konunua koiana, tukua. He pou whenua, (he) tōtō tāngata, (he) tōtō kai. Ko te Poukai, e, e Ā. (He) tōtō tāngata, (he) tōtō kai, ko te Poukai! Hī! TRANSLATION Flourishing in the bounty of Uruao. Growing vigorously in the vast soils of Rehua. The growth of food and people is nurtured. A support system, that supports the growth of food and people. ‘Tis Poukai, dearest Tāwhiao. When the land shakes, Man shall find an abiding place at the well-spring of love for the orphaned, the widowed and the destitute. ‘Tis a well-spring of people, dearest Tāwhiao. Widespread are the fruits of Raukawa at the food troughs of Rehua. We find sustenance at the fertile belly of Kirikiriroa. A support system, that supports the growth of food and people. It is Poukai, dearest Tāwhiao. Three pennies go to the Tawhara Kai Atua. The pennies go to Ngāruawāhia. It was Koro Eruera and Kīngi Koroki that ensured unity be upheld. From Ngā Kurī-ā-Whārei to Tihirau, pull together the waka of Mātaatua, to the resting place upon Kōkōhinau. Haul them hither. Drag the waka to this place So that the fruits of poukai can be enjoyed by one and all. A support system that supports the growth of food and people. It is Poukai, dearest Tāwhiao. ‘Tis the growth of food and people, ‘tis Poukai! Hī!