Tōku reo, tōku ohooho
(Tōku reo, tōku ohooho
Māpihi maurea, Whakakai mārihi)
Nei rā te kaupapa ko te reo Māori, e
He taonga tuku iho nō ngā tīpuna
He pare kawakawa, He mea hirahira e
Tōku reo, tōku ohooho
Māpihi maurea, whakakai mārihi
Kōrerotia te reo i ngā wā katoa
Kia kore e rite ki te moa
Mana tangata, mana motuhake
Tōku reo tōku ohooho
Māpihi maurea, whakakai mārihi
(key change up semitone and repeat)
English translation
Here is the matter of the Māori language
A treasure handed down from the ancestors
It’s a wreath (a crown), A significant thing
My language, my inspiration, a treasured jewel
Speak the language at all times So as not to be (extinct) like the Moa
The prestige of the people, the right of self-determination
My language, my inspiration, a treasured jewel
A treasure handed down from the ancestors
It’s a wreath (a crown), A significant thing
My language, my inspiration, a treasured jewel
Speak the language at all times So as not to be (extinct) like the Moa
The prestige of the people, the right of self-determination
My language, my inspiration, a treasured jewel