HE TĪMATANGA: KARAKIA MŌ TE PAETUKUTUKU

Tēnā koutou katoa, nau mai, haere mai ki tēnei paetukutuku.

Introduction

In te ao Māori, karakia is a way to sanctify and prepare for any undertaking. Through karakia, we connect with our ancestors, the land, the atua (spiritual beings), and the energy of the world. It is a sign of respect, a source of strength, and a reminder of our journey to learn, explore, and share knowledge.

This website begins with karakia so that the words written here are uplifted with purpose and intention. It is important that karakia has a place here, linking our words, thoughts, and kaupapa (purpose) to the essence of te ao Māori.

Pepeha is also a central theme of this website. It provides a pathway to whakapapa (genealogy), identity, and deeper understanding of ourselves and others. Therefore, below are two karakia—one Christian and one non-secular—to mark the beginning of this journey.

1. Anei te Karakia Karaitiana

Whakapaingia tēnei mahi

E te Atua kaha rawa,

Ka whakamoemiti mātou ki a koe,

Mō ngā manaakitanga kua whiwhi ai mātou.

Whakapaingia tēnei mahi e haere ake nei,

Hei māramatanga, hei oranga mō te katoa.

Whiria mai ō mātou whakaaro,

Kia kotahi ai te ngākau,

Kia tau ai te mauri o te aroha.

Ka mihi hoki mātou ki ō mātou tūpuna,

Ko rātou i whakatakoto i te huarahi,

Mō mātou e whaiwhai nei.

Arahina mātou i runga i te tika,

te pono me te māramatanga.

Amine.

Translation:

Bless this work

Almighty God,

We give thanks to you,

For the blessings we have received.

Bless this work that we are about to undertake,

That it may bring understanding and well-being to all.

Bind our thoughts together,

So that our hearts may be united,

And the essence of love may settle among us.

We also acknowledge our ancestors,

Who paved the way for us,

So that we may continue their journey.

Guide us in truth, righteousness, and wisdom.

Amen.

2. Anei te Karakia Tāwhito

Tūtawa Mai Te Pūngao

Tūtawa mai i runga

Tūtawa mai i raro

Tūtawa mai i roto

Tūtawa mai i waho

Kia tau te mauri tū,

te mauri ora

Ki te katoa

Haumi e! Hui e! Tāiki e!

E te iwi, e ngā mana, e ngā reo,

Tātou e whakatupu nei i ngā mātauranga,

Whiria te kōrero, whiria te whakaaro,

Kia tupu, kia puāwai, kia hua ai te kupu.

Ko te pepeha te ara, ko te pepeha te taura,

Hei here i a tātou ki te whenua,

Hei here i a tātou ki ngā tūpuna,

Hei here i a tātou ki te wairua o tēnei mahi.

Mā te mauri e kawe,

mā te mauri e whakakaha,

Kia ū, kia mau, kia ita!

Haumi e! Hui e! Tāiki e!

Translation:

Let the Energy Flow

Let the energy come forth from above,

Let the energy come forth from below,

Let the energy come forth from within,

Let the energy come forth from outside,

Let the essence of well-being and vitality

Be upon us all.

Unite, gather, it is done!

To the people, to the voices of many,

We who are here to grow knowledge,

Weave the words, weave the thoughts,

Let them flourish, let them bloom, let them bear fruit.

Pepeha is our pathway, pepeha is our cord,

Binding us to the land,

Binding us to our ancestors,

Binding us to the spirit of this work.

May the essence carry us, may the essence strengthen us,

Let us be firm, let us be steadfast, let us be resolute!

Unite, gather, it is done!

Conclusion

Karakia is a way of both sanctifying and uplifting our work. Through karakia, we acknowledge Māori values and strengthen our connections to whakapapa and the guiding forces that shape our journey.

This website begins with intention, with the purpose of deepening understanding of tikanga Māori. Pepeha will be a cornerstone of this kaupapa, and as we move forward, it will provide a foundation for many of the conversations to come.

Let us walk together with shared purpose.

Haumi e! Hui e! Tāiki e!