One of the most influential and highly regarded of contemporary Māori composers was Hirini Melbourne (Ngāi Tūhoe). He is seen here at right, performing with long-time collaborator Richard Nunns at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington. Listen to Melbourne performing his song 'Tīhore mai', a description of the native forest after rain. The words are below.

Tīhore mai te rangi
tīhore mai
mao mao mao te ua
whiti mai te rā,
mao mao mao te ua
whiti mai te rā,

E rere te kōtare
ki runga pūwharawhara
ruru parirau
kei mate i te ua,
ruru parirau
kei mate i te ua.

Tīhore mai te rangi . . .
e rere e noke
mai i tō pokorua
kai ki i te wai
kai mate i te ua,
kai ki i te wai
kai mate i te ua,

Tīhore mai te rangi
tīhore mai
mao mao mao te ua
whiti mai te rā,
mao mao mao te ua
whiti mai te rā,

e ... i ... e ...
whiti mai te rā

e ... i ... e ...
whiti mai te rā.

Clear up sky
clear up
stop stop stop rain
come out sun
stop stop stop rain
come out sun.

Fly kingfisher
up onto the clump of astelia.
Ruffle the raindrops from your wings
in case you catch a chill.
Ruffle the raindrops from your wings
in case you catch a chill.

Clear up sky . . .
Escape earthworm
out of your burrow
in case it fills with water
and you drown.
in case it fills with water
and you drown.

Clear up sky
clear up
stop stop stop rain
come out sun
stop stop stop rain
come out sun.

e ... i ... e ...
Let the sun shine

e ... i ... e ...
Let the sun shine