This is a compilation of recordings made at the hui for the opening of the Tama-te-kapua Meeting House, Ohinemutu in March 1943. Various groups of Ngāi Tai, Te Whānau-a-Apanui and Whakatōhea sing the waiata etc. [See also MPT 705 for other items recorded at the same time.] Commentaries about the items were added later in the 1940s by Sir Āpirana Ngata, who had requested the recordings be made by the New Zealand Broadcasting Service..
Waiata tangi: "E muri ahiahi..." Lament for the men of the 28 Māori Battalion who died overseas. Performed by a Whakatōhea group led by Te Hapua Apanui of Opape near Opōtiki.
Commentary by Sir Āpirana Ngata on the next item. A pātere or karakia, the dragging song of the Tainui waka as it was taken across the Tamaki isthmus. Performed by a group led by Rapata Kingi of Te Whānau-a-Apanui, alternating with Wharemoana of Maraenui.(Ngata notes Wharemoana passed away about 12 months ago.)
Pātere: "Toia Tainui..."
Commentary by Sir Āpirana Ngata - introduction to the next item. A pātere by Te Whānau-a-Apanui for the children drowned in the Motu River in 1900. Led by Te Aroha Topi, alternating with Wharemoana.
Pātere: "A ka tanuku, ka tanuku koa..."
Commentary by Sir Āpirana Ngata - introduction to next item by Te Whānau-a-Apanui led by Te Aroha Topi. A lament composed in 1828, but adapted to the circumstances of the Second World War. Te Maunu and wife Kahukaka and their son were living at Great Barrier. Ngāpuhi established relations with the family. Later, they murdered Te Maunu and son Ngahua while they were out fishing. Kahukaka composed this song as an appeal to Te Rohu, of the Thames district, to avenge their deaths. The Thames people went on a raiding expedition to the Bay of Islands district while Hongi Hika was in England. On Hongi's return, he laid siege to the Totara Pa, exacting vengeance. [See Nga Moteatea Vol. I, No. 53, pp 170 -173, and the Ngarimu Souvenir Programme, page 20 for the English version and commentary]. The words recited herein are a variant of those appearing in Ngā Moteatea. (Ngata says this is one of the best recordings made and notes the main participants in it have now passed.)
Waiata tangi: "Tū tonu ko te rae e..."
Commentary by Sir Āpirana Ngata - introduction to the next item. A song by Te Whānau-a-Apanui led by Rapata Kingi of Te Kaha. A lament for warriors killed in battle. [See Nga Moteatea Vol. IV, No. 375, p 117. Order of verses is slightly altered.]
Waiata tangi: "Takiri ko te ata..." [ "E kai ana ahau i te ate whai nene..."]