BY: CAROLINE ROLF
“Pokarekare Ana”, or The Maori Love Song, is a traditional New Zealand love song thought to be the country’s unofficial national anthem. The song is written in Maori, but has since been translated to English.
The Maori Love Song is thought to have been composed during the first decade of the twentieth century and was made popular by the Maori soldiers who brought the song with them from Auckland to Europe during WWI.
Throughout history, the song has been used in a variety of ways; however the words have remained unaltered for over 100 years.
“Pokarekare ana, Nga wai o Waiapu, Whiti atu koe e hine, Marino ana e.”
“The waves at Waiapu, Were stormy and wild, Calm they became, When you passed by.”
Image sourcing: waitahacc.co.nz, tune.pk
