Ka aro au (Cuba Street song)
Hinemoana Baker
Hinemoana Baker wrote the lyrics for a haka/waiata that names the mountains, iwi and hapū who occupied Te Aro Pā, in central Wellington and those who are still mana whenua today. It was first performed by several Wellington choirs at the Cuba Dupa Festival in 2014 celebrating the history, diversity and energy of Cuba Street.
Ka aro au (Cuba Street song)
Ka aro atu au ki Ahumairangi
Ko te maunga tērā ko Matairangi, e
Ka huri atu au ki Pukeahu
Ki Tapu-te-Ranga e tū tonu, ē
Ka waiata ahau mō Ngāti Mutunga
Ngāti Tama, Ruanui, Taranaki, e
He mihi tēnei ki Te Āti Awa
Ki te Whanga-nui-a-Tara
I turn to face Ahumairangi (Tinakori Hill)
There, too, is Matairangi (Mt Victoria)
I turn to Pukeahu (Mt Cook)
And to where Tapu-te-Ranga stands — (the Island, Island Bay)
I sing of Ngāti Mutunga
Ngāti Tama, Ruanui and Taranaki
I pay tribute to you, Te Āti Awa
Here in the Great Bay of Tara (Wellington)