The Māori King Tāwhiao is shown here in about 1882, some 22 years after he inherited his title from his father.  Like most, if not all, distinguished Māori leaders, Tāwhiao was known for composing waiata to mark significant occasions or to deliver important pronouncements. In the 1860s he composed this waiata urging land retention.

Ka ngapu te whenua 
Ka haere ngā tāngata ki whea? 
E Ruaimoko 
Purutia! 
Tāwhia! 
Kia ita! 
A-a-a ita! 
Kia mau, kia mau! 

The earthquake shakes the land 
Where shall man find an abiding place? 
Oh Ruaimoko (god of the lower depths) 
Hold fast! 
Bind, tightly firm! 
Be firm, be firm! 
Hold, hold! 
Hold fast the land.