“Te iwi e” is a traditional Māori chant or waiata that can be translated as “O people” or “Listen to the people” and refers to the concept of communal unity and shared responsibility, often in the face of hardship or loss. The phrase calls for the community, or “iwi,” to stand together, acknowledging shared grief and pain while finding strength in unity and collective action.”
This powerful song of welcome echoes the women’s karanga. It draws hosts and visitors together through a shared memory of loved ones who have been lost from the land, by both war and migration. While showing grief, the singers also express earth-shaking pride in the achievements of those who went away to the war, and later, those who have found a new way of life in the cities. The singer should insert the name of their group here, or sing Te Iwi E ! E karanga e te iwi e.
(Leader) Te Iwi E!!
(All) E karanga e te iwi e
Kua eke mai nei
Kua eke mai nei ki runga te marae e
Mauria mai ra
Mauria mai ra e nga mate o te motu e
Me nga tini roimata
Me nga tini roimata e maringi whanui e
Titiro e nga iwi
Titiro e nga iwi e nga mahi o te motu E hora atu nei e
Rū ana te whenua
Rū ana te whenua, whatiwhati te moana
Aue te aroha
Aue te aroha te mamae i ahau e.
Rū ana te whenua whatiwhati. Hei!
TRANSLATION
Our tribe is calling to the people
who have just set foot on this marae
Bring with you the memories of all our dead
and so many tears spilling forth nation-wide.
Look at our people working across the land
spread out far and wide
Shaking is the ground, quivering is the sea.
Oh, the love and the pain within me.
The ground shakes and quivers, yeah!
