Aue! Taukuri!

English lyrics

Alas! o my mountains celebrated in legend!
Alas! o my eloquent orators!

I turn my gaze to the descendant of all the
tribes of the country
To the one who was crowned, to Te Ata-i-rangi-kaahu
Also to the sacred mountain top where the
chiefs repose
To the charismatic waters flowing by

And then I come to rest on Tūrangawaewae
I look at the assembly of people
And seek out the eloquent speakers
Those with the knowledge of times gone
I seek and I seek but to no avail.

Within the last decade
They have all passed on
Thunder crashes
Lightning rents the air
And mountain tops crumble
The land shakes
Symbolising their departure
Now, the land lies silent.
Yes, indeed, we who are the envy of the
multitudes
We are as though lost and confused

So let us prepare ourselves well
Concentrate on the important issues
Keep a sense of proportion
Thereby perpetuating the intangible
elements of our culture
So it can truly be said,
'I am of the seed of chiefs
And will never be lost.'