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He whakamārama - Explanation

Pukumeke is a conjunction of puku and meke, meaning ‘final blow’ in the context of the song. As in, the final power, the power to bring change ultimately lies with us. This is a waiata porotēhi, a protest song towards the dairy industry and other industries in NZ that are polluting our waterways and poisoning the land.

Youtube video link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SodcIExQiCQ

lyrics

Te Pukumeke - Kupu/Lyrics

(Whiti/Verse)
Ngaru, ngaru
(Wave, wave)
Ka whati mai te ngaru
(The wave will break)
Ngaru
(wave)
Ka pakaru ki tō ākau
(It will wear down the coast)
Kia marino ai tō ngākau
(You may feel safe for now)
Mā te wā ka hinga te kōhatu i te wai
(But over time, even rock will be overcome by water)

(Hono/Bridge)
He moana pukepuke pukepuke
He moana pukepuke pukepuke
(Even the most stormy seas)
Ekengia e te waka e te waka
Ekengia e te waka e te waka
(Can be navigated by the waka)

(Kōrihi/Chorus)
Ka whātuturi
(They continue to pretend like they don’t hear us)
Te kūaretanga
(The ignorance)
Nā te māngere
(Because of their laziness)
I tae mai te parahanga
(Pollution has overcome us)
Ka mate haere te motu
(The island is dying)
Kaua e mate wheke
(But do not die like an octopus)
Mate ururoa
(Instead, die like a great white shark)
Kei a tātou te pukumeke
(The power of the final blow lies with us)

(Whiti/Verse 2)
Haunga
(Stench)
Tō haunga
(Your stench)
Romitia e tō haunga
(I’m drowning from it)
Tō haunga
(Your stench)
Kōrewarewa i te pāmu
(Flowing from the farms)
Ka rere mai i te kuinga
(Flowing from the stream)
Ki te awa
(To the river)
E whakauruuru ana ki te moana
(‘Till it merges with the ocean)

credits

from TOITŪ TE WHENUA (He Kohikohinga Waiata Vol​.​1), released September 7, 2019
Musicians -
Chris Chetland
Rei
D Love
Corey Friedlander

license

all rights reserved

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First Nation Music - Aotearoa New Zealand

FN Music is a boutique music label and music consultancy agency that specialises in nurturing the growth of Māori music and artists from Aotearoa (NZ). Our aim is to highlight the unique cultures and talent of all First Nation / Indigenous Peoples from around the World - One song at a time. ... more

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