Whakatāne-based and award-winning singer Maisey Rika penned the waiata, Te Puketapu ki Paepaeaotea, at the time of the eruption of Whakaari a year ago to acknowledge those who died. It takes the listener on a journey of the sacred landmarks around the rohe.
Te Puketapu ki Paepaeaotea talks about the rocks near Whakaari, in which they are where the spirits depart the physical world. She says the first verse can be seen as instructions to those who were killed due to the eruption.
The second verse goes on to describe the signs prior to the eruption including a flock of kōtuku that was seen, calls of the ruru and earthquakes that were felt prior, and acknowledging the environment and how Papatūānuku speaks and warns through certain tohu.
In the RNZ studio in Auckland, Maisey Rika joined by Te Rina and Erica Ransfield shared this waiata with us to mark the one year anniversary of te pahū o Whakaari.
Lyrics:
Te Puketapu ki Paepaeaotea
Ko Turuturu
Ko Tokamaomao
Ko Māuku
Ko Tokaroa
Rukuhia te puta ngaru e
Rere runga rawa rā ki ngā Rangitūhāhā
Kua riro koe, kua riro koe
E te kaponga nui ō ringa aituā
Kua riro koe, kua riro koe
Te Puketapu ki Paepaeaotea
Ko Ruaumoko
He māpu Kōtuku
Te parekura mate karawaka
Te tangi ā te rūrū
Waipuketia ngā awa
Ngā tohu ā Rangi, ngā tohu ā Nuku e
Kua riro koe, kua riro koe
E te kaponga nui ō ringa aituā
Kua riro koe, kua riro koe
He maimai aroha
E tangi apakura ana
Mōu i kapohia atu rā e Te Pūia
Me pēhea rā...?
