A compilation of waiata mōteatea of Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāti Porou and Te Whakatōhea, with commentaries from Sir Āpirana Ngata. (Original recordings are held in the sound archives collection.)
Waiata o Te Kooti Rikirangi: ‘Pinepine te kura’ It is introduced and sung by Rapata Kingi and party of Te Whānau a Apanui. Recorded at Te Kaha, 15 March 1954. (See Ngā Mōteatea Vol III Te Kooti adapted the original version to commemorate incidents at Tūranganui after his escape from the Chatham Islands.)
Sir Āpirana Ngata introduces and comments on the next four items, which were all recorded at the hui for the opening of the Tama-te-kapua Meeting House, Ohinemutu, Rotorua in March 1943.
First, a Te Whānau-a-Apanui group led by Te Aroha Topi of Opōtiki. A lament for 30 schoolchildren of Maraenui who were drowned while crossing the Mōtū River in 1900.
Waiata tangi: ‘E hika koha kore maranga mai ki runga...’
Commentary about a performance by a Te Whānau-a-Apanui group led by Wharemona sings an ancient lullaby or oriori. (See Ngā Mōteatea, Vol II, No. 145.)
Oriori: ‘Popo e tangi ana...’
Commentary about a waiata by a Ngāi Tai group from Tōrere near Opōtiki, led by Eru Rihimona. The waiata is about struggles between tribes in the East Cape. It is the Ngāti Porou version.
Waiata: ‘E hika mā ehara koutou i a Tuahanga...’
Sir Āpirana Ngata commentary on a lament by Rangiuia,for his son Tuterangi Whaitiri. Performed by a Te Whānau-a-Apanui group led by Te Kuaha Waititi. I titoa mai te waiata nei e Rangiuia mo tāna tama a Tuterangi Whaitiri, i mate i te mate mākutu. Ko Houtaketake tētahi tohunga, nānā i mea atu, koia te mate mākutu. Nā tētehi tohunga i Wairarapa te tamaiti nei i mākutu.
Waiata tangi: ‘Kāti rā e hika te takoto i raro rā...’
Apirana Ngata introduces the next item. A lament for the men of the Māori Battalion. Sung by Whakatōhea of Ōpotiki and led by Te Hapua Apanui, the song is called, ‘E muri ahiahi...’ [The waiata tangi is not on this recording but is held in the collection.]