Waiata Tira
The Power of Music
Genius Composers: Tuini Ngawai and her niece, Ngoi Pewhairangi
Ka waiatatia e ahau tōu kaha; āe, i te ata ka hāmamatia e ahau tāu mahi tohu: ko koe hoki tōku pā, tōku piringa…
I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been a fortress for me and a refuge…
Waiata 59.16
Our history shows that whenever there have been successful movements for spiritual change and renewal within Tairāwhiti they have been led by the poetic voice and the prophetic imagination.
The poets and the prophets among us were composers, orators, choir leaders, and performers and leaders of haka and singing groups. Through this activity they were able to inspire communities and mobilise them to change. They were people of faith who used the principles of the gospel in their compositions. The great Sir Apirana Ngata, who was instrumental in the establishment of Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa, was deliberate in his use of poets and composers such as Henare Waitoa and Tuini Ngāwai to inspire, educate, and mobilise people using Gospel principles, whakapapa, and faith.
The waiata tira kaupapa seeks to raise new prophets and poets by nurturing the poetic voice and the prophetic imagination as a means to nurture the flourishing of our people.
In examining this phenomenon again, of the role of prophets and poets within our whakapapa, the Waiata Tira kaupapa can help us to understand how and why our communities were so inspired by these poets and prophets, and how we might develop new templates for theological education and ministry training that can inspire our communities to once again become creative forces for good.
A NEW-SCHOOL CHOIR
Ka Hao Tira Waiata
To inspire whānau and communities to become creative forces for good
Led by Rob and Cilla Ruha, the rangatahi choir, Ka Hao, has been a key first expression of the Waiata Tira kaupapa. Based on deliberative research, kōrero, and wānanga with composers and leaders, Rob and Cilla identified some key principles and pathways forward:
- Support was unanimous for the establishment of a choir;
- All spoken to believed it should be led by rangatahi;
- That life-giving kaupapa need to be created and fostered outside of the kapa haka space;
- That exhibition spaces should be non-competitive while maintaining a standard of excellence in composition and performance;
- That kaupapa like tira waiata would be life-giving and transformative for rangatahi;
- That waiata tira would unite whānau and communities and build positive relationships.
LIVE VISUAL ALBUM
Mōhau
Mōhau showcases the live recording of eight waiata whakamoemiti. Featuring some of Aotearoa’s top musical talent Ka Hao was blessed to join the likes of Ria Hall, Troy Kingi, Bella Kalolo, Majic Paora, Kaaterama, and, of course, Rob Ruha.
Recorded in a single take at Parachute Music studios, its soul-infused sound aims to strengthen and uplift people’s spirits.
All the songs were composed in te reo Māori and draw inspiration from the hymns that are sung everyday within our communities.
Mōhau took home two trophies at the Aotearoa Music Awards in 2020 winning for Te Māngai Pāho Mana Reo Tui and Te Kaipūoro Kairangi Toa | Best Worship Artist.
This album is a joint venture between InDigiNation Music, Parachute Music and Oati. Proudly supported by Wilberforce Foundation and Te Māngai Pāho.
Hōtaka Paetukutuku
WEB SERIES
A series following the story of Ka Hao: Tira Waiata and its 24 kaiwaiata from around Te Tairāwhiti as they grow, learn, and introduce the waiata tira kaupapa to the world!
Kapohia te aroha nui o te Ariki
Māna e kaupare rā ngā kino katoa
Whītiki, maranga mai, horahia rā
Ngā kupu hei oranga ā-tinana e
Lay hold of the great love of the Lord
He will protect you from all evil
Prepare yourself, get ready, and proclaim
the words that manifest true life
“Ka Noho Au i Konei” | Te Kumeroa Ngoingoi (Ngoi) Pewhairangi
CONTACT US
Whakapā Mai
Tūranganui ā Kiwa / Gisborne, NZ
+64 (9) 867 8856
enquiries@teraucollege.ac.nz