This tribute kōrero is not just about our Soldiers that went to war, but also about those at home who held down the Whānau and Iwi roots and adjusted their Tikanga while watching their world change around them.
Our Kīwaha o te wiki is "kei raro e putu ana" (I'm not doing too well, I've hit rock bottom)
Here are the lyrics for our Waiata o te wiki:
Ngā Whare Pa
Verse 1:
Powhiritia a nga morehu
Te iwi, tangihia
Te mamae e, me te pouri nui
Tenei ra kua mahea
Chorus:
Hoki mai ra!
Hoki mai ra ki te kaianga
E tatari atu nei ki a koutou
Nga tau roa i ngaro atu ai. E aroha
e ngau kino nei i ahau
Verse 2:
Ngā whare pa tenei huakina
Te iwi kia koa
Kua hoki mai nga tamariki toa
Ki te ao ora
TRANSLATION:
Welcome home the survivors.
All of you who have been mourning
The inward grief, and great mourning
today is cleared away.
Welcome home!
Welcome back to the village
that has been waiting for you.
Long years you have been gone. Sorrow
has gnawed within me.
Open wide the doors of our homes
Everybody rejoice
The brave boys have returned
to the world of (normal) life.