Maori Purposes Fund Board seeks translations

Tu Tangata, Issue 2, 1 October 1981, Page 15

Maori Purposes Fund Board seeks translations

NGA WHAKATAUKI/Proverbs

A wealth of information and lore waits to be unleashed

For over 35 years, the Maori Purposes Fund Board has had in its possession two large private collections of Whakatauki (Maori proverbs). Exact information on how and why the two collections came about is now deep within the Board’s archives but it is obvious that both collections contain Whakatauki that reach far back into tribal history from all parts of the country. With the exception of only a few, the Whakatauki have not been translated. They are very old and are probably only remembered or known to a few. One of the collections, individually mounted on over 2000 cards, is handwritten while the other, of equal size, is taken from books and magazines. Board Secretary, Mr Sam Ruawai, believes that a wealth of information, lore and beauty could be unleashed if the correct translations are found. He is also aware of the significance the Whakatauki must hold for the hapu and tribes to whom they belong and has therefore asked that those who recognise any of them write to

him with either the translation or information on their origin. They can write to: Mr Sam Ruawai, Secretary, Maori Purposes Fund Board; Department of Maori Affairs, Private Bag, Wellington. Titiro karapa rua, ka taka te paua o nga kanohi He ahi kouka kite awatea, he ai ki te po He koura kia awe te whero, he aruhe kia awe te papa He manako te koura i kore ai He manawa he tina He kiri ki waho, he puku ki roto He koanga tangata tahi, he ngahuru pu ta noa He kaha ui te kaha Ki te ro ro iti a haere, otira kia mau te tokanga nui a noho Ka ua e tirohia te pai

He pukai te pu, he pukai te rongo He rata te rakau i takahia e te moa E riri kai po, ka haere kai ao He pounamu kakano rua I mot u mai i hea te rimu o te mo ana He mahi te aata n oho, e ki ana a wheke E tipi e te waha i uia hoki ko wai ki muri E rua tonu au ki au Rori taura, pa taku panehe, rori tangata, rori waiho He roimata ua, he roimata tangata Pipitori nga kanohi, kokotaia nga waewae, whenua i mamao, tenei rawa Iti noa ana, he pito mata He iti kopua wai, ka he te manawa Matua te wairua kite po, e koroingo ana ano >