Story: Ngāi Tūhoe

‘I hoki mai Te Whenuanui i te aha’

This pātere (abusive song) was composed by the widows of Tūhoe men who fell at the battle of Ōrākau in April 1864. When the survivors returned to Ruatāhuna, they were assailed on the marae with this song, a virulent outburst at the waste of so many Tūhoe. The rangatira Te Whenuanui, who led the Tūhoe party to Ōrākau, was a particular target.

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Sound Archives / Ngā Taonga Kōrero
Reference: Tuhoe chants/MPT 905

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How to cite this page:

Rangi McGarvey, 'Ngāi Tūhoe - The impact of Europeans', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/music/2718/i-hoki-mai-te-whenuanui-i-te-aha (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Rangi McGarvey, published 8 Feb 2005, updated 1 Mar 2017