AO-TEA-ROA
On seeing Goldie Steele's picture "The Maoris' First Sight of New Zealand." Aotea-Roa! Land of the dawn Like a dim shadow sprung from the sea Seen by the Maori, one hopeless morn Home of the tribes for ages to be. Weeks had they journeyed over the waves Far from the shores where their ancestors lay: Far from the sound the warm ocean laves Came they at length to the last hopeless day. Hunger and thirst were for long days their lot: Haggard and gaunt were tney— mere bone and skin, Nights were, sb cold and days were so not» ? ; with triangular Gods had been prayed to—Atua »e----seeched: Prayer seemed so hopeless: left but to weep: Seemed that the end of their journey was reached, Lost in the ocean—sunk in the deep. Slow the clouds lifted: seen through the mists Like a faint shadow far to the west Land! is it land that slow lifts With promise of all that is best? Slow, oh so slow does the shadow draw nigh: Hearts are uplifted: hope gleams again: Low on the water, not in the sky* Land! it is land showing so plain. Aotea-Roa! Haven of Hope! Home of the future, dangers all past: Thanks be to Atua guiding us home Wanderings safely ended at last. TIRI KATENE.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BPB19400304.2.8
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Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 131, 4 March 1940, Page 3
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217AO-TEA-ROA Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 131, 4 March 1940, Page 3
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