The Timaru District Council has a proud history with iwi and the role we all play in making a strong engaged community.
Our Elected Members and Staff have embraced the opportunity to further incorporate the use of Te Reo Maori into our day-to-day interactions. As such, some Timaru District Council Elected Members and Staff have been taking regular Te Reo lessons to support Tikanga Maori.
As part of this, a request was made for the creation of a Waiata and Karakia for Timaru District Council to use that describes our special and unique location.
A special thanks to Ana Fa’au, Ariana Stevens, and Corban Te Aika for creating the Waiata and Karakia and to Te Wera King for the approval to use.
Additionally, audio recordings of the Waiata, Karakia Timatanga, and the Karakia Whakakapi have been provided to assist in learning proper pronunciation.
Waiata
E rere rā e aku wai māori (My/our fresh waters flow)
E maringi atu rā ki a koutou e (Pouring out to you all)
Rangitata ki runga (Rangitata to the north)
Pureora ki raro (Pureora to the south)
Te Tai o Araiteuru ki waho e (Te Tai o Araiteuru to the coast)
E rere rā e aku wai mihi e (My/our greetings/thanks/acknowledgments flow)
Written by Ana Fa'au and Ariana Stevens
Audio Recording of the Waiata
Karakia Timatanga (to start)
E ara e Tama-nui-te-rā (Let the sun rise)
Whiti mai i ruka (May it shine above)
Whiti mai i raro (May it shine below )
Kia pihi te tī (Let the shoots of the tī spring forth)
Kia wana te tī (Let the shoots of the tī develop)
Kia rito te tī (Let the shoots of the tī crown)
Kia tau mai te mauri (In order for life-giving energy to be bestowed)
Haumi ē, hui ē, tāiki ē (Let it be bound in agreement)
Written by Corban Te Aika
Audio Recording of the Karakia Timatanga
Karakia Whakakapi (to close)
E Tama-nui-te-rā (May the sun)
Whakairia kā kete kōuka (Suspend our tī fibre kits)
o kōrero (of speech)
o whakaaro (of thought)
o wānaka (of discussion)
Ki te tuanui o te raki e tū nei (along the ridgeline of the skies above)
Haumi ē, hui ē, tāiki ē (Let it be bound in agreement)
Written by Corban Te Aika
Audio Recording of the Karakia Whakakapi
Last updated: 26 May 2022