A haka composed by Dr Te Kahautu Maxwell of Te Whakatōhea to honour the late Dr Ranginui Walker. This haka was performed by Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti Kapa Haka at Te Matatini 2017 and 2023. This haka was translated by Dr Te Kahautu Maxwell specifically for the Dr Rangi Walker entry in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.

Te reo Māori

Takapūtahi! Tēnā huakina! Huakina mai te tatau o Tūmonoariki

Te Whare Pūkenga i a Ranginui e tū iho nei! Hō!

Ranginui-ā-Tāmaki-makarau! Hō! Ranginui-ā-Tāne! Hō!

Ranginui-Te-Pūkenga! Hō! Ranginui-Te-Wānanga! Hō!

Ranginui-Te-Mahara! Hō! Ranginui-Tohetohe! Au! Au! Au!

Ngāti Whātua Manawatoa! Ngāti Whātua Horonuku!

Te Whakatōhea Pākaurangi! Tohetohe! Au! Au! Au!

Te Kōtiritiri! Te Kōtaratara! Te kai hoki i Waiaua e!

Haere tītaha ana te kaha o te kupenga ki uta rā e.

Hurihia te tangata mātātoa. Hurihia te tangata matāwhanga.

Hauhauhia te ture! Hauhauhia te ture!  Matā kai kutu ki roto ki te Pāremata

Ranginui hī! Ranginui hō! Ka whawhai tonu mātou ake ake ake.

Te Matangitangi! Te Mataraharaha!

Haere matataua Ngā Tamatoa [o] te kotahitanga kai te rangi e haere ana auē taukurī!

Hurihia matakīrea matakohuki! Hurihia matakīrea matakōkiri!

Hauhaua te Tiriti! Hauhaua te Tiriti! Te Tiriti o Waitangi ki roto ki Te Taraipiunara.

Ranginui hī! Ranginui hō! Ka whaiwhai tonu mātou ake ake.

Te Horopekapeka! Te Horopetapeta!

He tangata rākau kawa ki te whakakaitoa kuku-ā-mata, te kuku o te manawa.

Waerea te maruwehi! Waerea te marutuna!

Hurihia te tangata matawaenga! Hurihia te tangata mātātaki!

Ko te mana tuatahi ko Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ko te mana tuarua ko Te Kōti Whenua. Ko te mana tuatoru ko Te Mana Motuhake. Nā Te Turuki! Au, au, auē hā! Hī!

Kawau pū!

(Dr Te Kahautu Maxwell, 2016.)

English

In unison, stamp your foot.

Proceed to open the door of Tūmonoariki and expose the repository of knowledge and expertise, a deposition of Ranginui the Sky father standing above. Indeed! Ranginui of Tāmaki of many lovers! Indeed! Ranginui of Tāne the god of mankind! Indeed! Ranginui of skill and expertise! Indeed! Ranginui the institution! Indeed! Ranginui who is etched in memory! Indeed! Ranginui the agitator! Indeed!

Ngāti Whātua the experts of hospitality and humility! Ngāti Whātua the immobiliser!  

Whom Te Whakatōhea are forever indebted. Here we salute you.

The comet in the heaven’s night, is a resemblance when Dr Ranginui Walker took flight and wielded his might, to fight for what is right due to our plight.

Sustained by the food stores at Waiaua his place of birth, his birth right.

He challenged government policy, statute and law, that Te Kooti foresaw, Ranginui did like no man before!  We will continue to fight for our rights. Forever and ever!

We mourn his passing. Both he and Professor Pat Hōhepa were influential with the solidarity movement; Ngā Tamatoa, who rose to fame, their efforts remain whilst their name is ingrained in New Zealand’s history.

He was persistent in his cause. He insisted that Te Tiriti was enshrined in the laws, of Aotearoa. His efforts afforded Māori some comfort, the powers of the Waitangi Tribunal (Taraipiunara) were extended back to 1840 when Te Tiriti was signed by our tīpuna.

Yes indeed, Ranginui! We will continue to fight for our rights. Forever and ever.

A statesman A freedom fighter. An academic a recognised writer. The critic and conscience of society. The revered, the feared, acknowledged for his tenacity and generosity.

The people are at a loss, however not all is lost.

We Māori must be audacious to carry on Ranginui and his legacy.

The words uttered by the prophet Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Turuki were:

The first mana is Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the second mana is gained through the Māori Land Court, the third mana is the ultimate authority, autonomy.

The leader, the man!

(Dr Te Kahautu Maxwell, 2023).