Tihewa Mauri Ora

Tihewa Mauri Ora First breath, breath of life

E te iwi e Everyone

Ka tipu ka ora na Growth and nourishment

Nga kakano Of the seeds

Ka puta ka puawai Brings forth fruition

O tenei ao In this world

Tiakina ra ka kakatohia Go fetch (them) Go luck (them)

Aue … hei aue, aue

Tenei matou e tangi atu nei Here are we, weeping

Mo nga purapura pai For the good seeds

Kua ngaro That have been lost ( to us )

Kua rere ki taua rerenga They have gone to that refuge

Ki reira ratou ma Where they ( our ancestors ) abide

Ka tika ai ‘tis proper ( that this be so )