Poukai ki Te Arawa

English lyrics

(Spoken)
Following the passing of Te Arikinui,
Te Atairangikaahu, leaders of Pikiao put forward the request to host an annual poukai on the day of her coronation. Her son, King Tūheitia, agreed. Thereby opening a doorway
To the well spring of food and people

To all those assembled
Let us gather to sample the mouthwatering
Foods of Te Arawa!

My fellow guests
Lest you dawdle;
For Te Iti Kahurangi is hungry!

O Rongo, we raise our offerings
For a bountiful feast!

Thus, amass all provisions
Here at Te Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe
Let the Poukai commence!
Your basket and mine will together provide
A well spring of food and people
To our penny-diving hosts, Te Arawa
Behold your penny-giving cousins of Tainui
But a small travelling party;

We hereby present the traditional thrupence

So as to add to the collections
And expand the kitty
For what purpose? To pay for the jelly!
For what purpose? To pay for the foods
Acquired from the basket of Whakaotirangi
Who married local hero Tamatekapua
And engendered progeny through to Pikiao
The latter producing a male line of descent to Te Kīngitanga, whose offspring lead to the arrival of Poukai here in Te Arawa!

Open the pits! Devour the contents!

Ah, dinner is served! A ha ha!
Feast on the fruits of Te Arawa hospitality
In the splendor of the provisions of Tāne Rore
Till our paunches can take no more
And we are well and truly satisfied!

What is the food of chiefs?
It is unequivocally the food of Te Arawa!