An oriori is a song for a young child which contains complex references to history and mythology. One of the best-known is ‘Pō! Pō!’, which tells how the kūmara (sweet potato) was brought to New Zealand. It is thought to have been composed by Ēnoka Te Pakaru of Te Aitanga-ā-Māhaki. Listen to an extract, performed by the Waihīrere Māori Club.
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Sound file from Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision – Radio New Zealand collection. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. To request a copy of the recording, contact Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision (New Zealand Polynesian Festival 1986 – Waihirere, Gisborne/Reference ID 40556)
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