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K​ō​tare

by Aro

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Kia mataara, kia māia - Be vigilant, be brave

This song is inspired by another one of our native (to Aotearoa) manu (birds), kōtare, also known as the kingfisher.

This song was written and recorded by Aro, a home made & recorded song, mixed and mastered by Vivek Gabriel.

With special thanks to Creative NZ who backed us for this project, 'He Manu Anō' - 27/08/2020, which this waiata features on; a 5 track EP following on from our 2020 debut album, Manu.

lyrics

KŌTARE

​

Ētahi wā e taumaha ana ngā ngaru i te moana

E patu ana ngā waka e te au tuke, e te au miha

He uaua ki te kite nā te pūrehurehu o te rehutai

Te pae tata kua huna nā te pupuke o ngā wai

​

Whaia te iti kahurangi

Ki te tuohu, me maunga teitei



Kia mataara, kia māia

Toka tū moana

Kia mataara kia māia

Tutuki me te aroha.



He ngaru whakateo he kōtare, ko tēnā te kī

He pūhara i ngā taiapa o te pā hoki

Ko tēnei ka waiho iho mo te iwi

He waka eke noa, āwhina atu tētahi ki tētahi



Toka tū moana

Wanawana tutuki me te aroha

Me te aroha!

Kia Mataara kia māia

Kia mataara, kia māia!


THE KINGFISHER - A KŌTARE TRANSLATION



Sometimes the waves are heavy out at sea

Battering our waka under its weight

It gets hard out there to see through the haze

The horizon hidden by the swelling waves



Pursue that which is precious

If bowed down let it be to a lofty mountain



Be vigilant, be brave

Like a rock against the sea

Be vigilant, be brave

Overcome fear with love



A curly wave is a kōtare’s work, that’s what they say

And watchtowers were named after me too

This is what I want to leave with you all

Together we can succeed, so look out for each other



Stand like a rock against the sea

Overcoming fear with love

With love!

Be vigilant, be brave

Be vigilant, be brave!

credits

released August 13, 2020

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Aro New Zealand

Blending Emily's honey-voiced jazz with Charles' full throated percussive sound with shades of haka, Aro's storytelling performance adds up to a warmth of experience, wholly original, anchored in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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