Notes on the Song

Te Ao Hou, March 1965, Page 21

Notes on the Song 1. Wairaka is short for Owairaka. 2. Kakepuku, a high hill near Te Awamutu, stands between Owairaka and Pirongia. 3. Toko is the short form of her lover's name. 4. Toa signifies Ngati Toa of the Porirua district. 5. Mania is short for Ngati Maniapoto. 6. After landing from the Arawa canoe, the high priest Ngatoroirangi made a journey inland from Maketu. He climbed Tongariro, but nearly died from the cold. So he sent a message to his sisters at Hawaiiki, and they came with fire to warm him. This is the explanation for the hot springs and volcanic fires of the Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Taupo districts. In former times, the name ‘Tongariro’ referred to both of the mountains now known as Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. 7. In a fight with Taranaki (Mt. Egmont) and several other mountains, Tongariro won Mt. Pihanga as his wife. It is said that the storms and rain in the Taupo district are the result of their marriage. 8. Puhiwahine knew some English, and was fond of using transliterated versions of English words. ‘Marena’ as the word for marriage had been accepted into the language at an early date, but the other two transliterated words in the song are less common: ‘tiapu’ for ‘jump’ and ‘pea’ for ‘paired off’.