Story: Kapa Haka

'Poi e', with its catchy tune, infectious rhythm and breakdance routines, became a number one hit for the Pātea Maori Club (previously known as the South Taranaki Cultural Club) in 1984. The words were written by Ngoingoi Pēwhairangi of Ngāti Porou and the music was composed by Pātea local Dalvanius Prime. The hit, which drew on traditional kapa haka as well as contemporary hip hop, came at the right time, as the Pātea freezing works had closed in 1982 and the town was experiencing economic decline. The song was later expanded into a musical that told the story of Pātea.

Transcript

Te poi patua
Taku poi patua
Kia rite pa-para patua
Taku poi e

E rere ra e taku poi porotiti
Tītahataha ra, whakararuraru e
Porotakataka rā, poro hurihuri mai
Rite tonu ki te tiwaiwaka e

Ka parepare ra, pīoioi a
Whakahekeheke, e kia korikori e
Piki whakarunga ra, ma muinga mai a
Taku poi porotiti, taku poi e!

Poi e, whakatata mai
Poi e, kaua he rerekē
Poi e, kia piri mai ki au
Poi e, e awhi mai ra
Poi e, tāpekatia mai
Poi e, ō tāua aroha
Poi e, paiheretia ra
Poi, taku poi e

Rere atu taku poi, ti taha taha ra
Whakarunga whakararo, taku poi e

E rere ra e taku poi porotiti
Tītahataha ra, whakararuraru e
Porotakataka rā, poro hurihuri mai
Rite tonu ki te tiwaiwaka e

Ka parepare ra, pīoioi a
Whakahekeheke, e kia korikori e
Piki whakarunga ra, ma muinga mai a
Taku poi porotiti, taku poi e!

Poi e, whakatata mai
Poi e, kaua he rerekē
Poi e, kia piri mai ki au
Poi e, e awhi mai ra
Poi e, tāpekatia mai
Poi e, ō tāua aroha
Poi e, paiheretia ra
Poi, taku poi e

Poi e, whakatata mai
Poi e, kaua he rerekē
Poi e, kia piri mai ki au
Poi e, e awhi mai ra
Poi e, tāpekatia mai
Poi e, ō tāua aroha
Poi e, paiheretia ra
Poi, taku poi e
Poi, taku poi e
Poi, taku poi e

Rere atu taku poi, ti taha taha ra
Whakarunga whakararo, taku poi e