Te Reo Poems

Today te wero, the challenge, was to use te reo Maori in our poetry. We first brainstormed all the words we could think of (which filled two A3 sheets!). We then created a poem in English incorporating some of the Maori words that we had written down - as many or as few as we wanted. Taking it to the next level, we attempted to write a poem entirely in te reo Maori. Some felt whakama/shy about putting their work up here but some great work was produced. Kia kaha!


FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The kupu of the pukapuka is like kai for the puku
Haere mai, haere mai
Like waiata to the rangi
As tamariki running along the whenua
Etu toa
Become tapu, become mana

- E. T.




IN THE SHADOW OF MOTUTAPU

Harekeke flapped in the wind
Tui chased korimako as
Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa gently
crushed shells to sand.

It is a lonely place
Its name a warning
- Murdering Beach
Now Whareakeake
where empty cribs live.

Where the birds say -
Whakarongo ki te Tane
Whakarongo ki te moana
Whakarongo ki te Rangi
Whakarongo ki te wairua

The beach waved haere raa
And washed our memory
from the sand
But the stories remain in
the shadow of Motutapu.

- P.S.




Whakarongo wahine
Tamariki puka puka
Iwi kupu
Tangata aku
Tangata whenua
Tangata papatuanuku
Moana kakariki
Maunga Otepoti
Wahine toa
Hoha ka kite ano

- M.F.