Tīaho Mai Rā is a waiata (song) loved by all in Aotearoa. The words are Māori, calling in light, power, and oneness with the source; it’s sung at hui (meetings), pōwhiri (welcomes), and milestone celebrations; it links us to each other and oneness. Ngāti Ininga scholar Rereata Mihaere has opened our Whare Wānanga Te Reo calls himself learner forever but teacher always; practices his pepeha daily, expressing love for his river, his allegiance to Kingitanga, the Māori King movement founded 1858 under king Tawhiao to unify all tribes after Pakeha war-ingenuity decimated hamlets-and then Rere’s connection to Maniapoto iwi (tribe), Tihei Mauriora I mihi ki ng ou Ariki o nei waahi tapu Na kukupa e rere I am seeking accustomed greetings from your ancestors/holy sites. Oh wise teachers, let them flow forth on the wings of the pigeon Haumie.
The authorship of many haka and waiata is lost over time, making us all equal coheirs of their brilliance. So we sing a plea-poetry-prayer for vision, strength, and insight. High-priest appeals? Resilience illuminated skies burst like solar color into this interweaving dreaming life.
Tīaho Mai Rā Lyrics By Keta Kaiwai-Herbert
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Song Title | Tīaho Mai Rā |
| Composer | Keta Kaiwai-Herbert |
| Year of Composition | January 2009 |
| Purpose of Creation | Composed in memory of Maria Te Aorere Ward, a beloved Year 13 student from Wellington High School. |
| Cultural Significance | Reflects themes of love, loss, and hope; widely cherished in Māori culture and New Zealand heritage. |
| Symbolism | References celestial bodies like Venus (Kōpū) and Saturn (Pareārau) to express spiritual guidance and connection. |
| Themes | Hope, enlightenment, love, loss, remembrance, and the bond between the physical and spiritual realms. |
| Usage | Commonly performed in ceremonies, gatherings, and cultural events to evoke unity and reverence. |
| Popular Renditions | Sung by various artists and groups; celebrated in schools and cultural communities across Aotearoa. |
| Legacy | A timeless waiata that continues to inspire and connect people to Māori traditions and spirituality. |
Tīaho Mai Rā Lyrics
Shining over there
Is the morning star
Venus in the dawn,
Saturn in the night.
The world of light rises
Above a world left behind.
You rise up there as a sign to me
You rise up there as a sign to me…
…that love does not
Randomly turn away.
Come back to me my darling
Come back to me my darling.
Shining over there
Is the morning star
Venus in the dawn,
Saturn in the night.
The world of light rises
Above a world left behind
You rise up there as a sign to me
You rise up there as a sign to me.
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