TE REO MĀORI RESOURCES
"HE WAIATA, HE KARAKIA, HE KŌRERO TUKU IHO"
RAISE YOUR WAIRUA WITH KARAKIA & WAIATA.
Waiata & Karakia offer a space of papa kāinga ahi kā – a pā where you can feel safe, connected, and uplifted.
These taonga are designed to support and strengthen your Taha Wairua (Spiritual), Taha Whānau (Family and Social), Taha Hinengaro (Mental and Emotional), and Taha Tinana (Physical) wellbeing through the power of voice, rhythm, and tikanga.
By engaging in waiata and karakia, you can reconnect with mātauranga Māori, uplift your wairua, and feel a sense of belonging and purpose.
Waiata & Karakia is here here to help you:
- Find calm and clarity
- Strengthen your connection to te ao Māori
- Build confidence in te reo and tikanga
- Refill your wairua and uplift your day
Whether you're here to learn, to connect, or just to listen and be present, this is a place for you.
KARAKIA TĪMATANGA & WHAKAMUTUNGA.
Karakia are an essential part of how we open and close spaces at He Waka Tapu, they help us connect, ground ourselves, and acknowledge the wairua within and around us.
Karakia Tīmatanga (opening karakia) are used to set the tone and intention at the beginning of a hui, wānanga, or session. These karakia call on guidance, protection, and clarity, creating a safe and focused space for kōrero and connection. They help bring everyone together in mind, body, and spirit.
Karakia Whakamutunga (closing karakia) are used to bring closure and calm as we wrap up. They acknowledge what has been shared, give thanks, and return the space to a state of balance. It’s a way to honour the kaupapa and each other before moving forward.
Together, these karakia help us transition in and out of kaupapa with purpose and respect, uplifting our wairua and keeping us aligned with tikanga Māori.
WAIATA MĀORI.
Waiata is more than a sing along, our waiata māori are vessels of whakapapa, mātauranga, and wairua. At He Waka Tapu, waiata play a vital role in how we express ourselves, connect with each other, and uphold tikanga Māori in our everyday mahi.
Whether used to open or close hui, uplift the energy in a space, or support someone speaking, waiata help to anchor our kōrero, bring people into rhythm with each other, and remind us of who we are and where we come from.
Singing together strengthens kotahitanga (unity) and whakawhanaungatanga (relationship-building), while also nurturing confidence, reo, and wairua.
Even if you’re new to the kupu or nervous to join in, every voice contributes to the mauri of the moment.
Ko te waiata te reo o te ngākau – Song is the voice of the heart.
HE WAKA TAPU PLAYLIST
Celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori with Us!
To honour Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, we’ve curated a Spotify playlist featuring some of our favourite waiata in te reo Māori.
It plays in our reception area, creating a welcoming space where the beauty and power of the reo is always present.
Many of these waiata are also taught and practiced in our open waiata group every Tuesday, An inclusive space where anyone can come along, learn, and sing together. It’s a great way to connect, grow confidence in the reo, and celebrate the language through music.
This playlist is a living collection that we’ll continue to add to over time, so follow us on Spotify and stay inspired by the sounds of te reo Māori.
Click below to follow and listen!
