Placed in the west, Manukau spreads out.
Placed in the east, Waitemata stretches out.
Between there rises Tamaki-makau-rau,
Greenstone pendant of the ages, the beloved passed down
From Rangi standing above, Papanuku lying here!
Tamaki shifts, Makau-rau changes!
The beloved of time and the sounding tides,
‘Temata at the rising sun, Manukau at the setting sun,
Lying there, lying long, hauled up by time
When night was parted from day, day, the new day!
Silent beloved of the ages, turn and see!
Here are the homes of speech: Maungawhau, Maungarei,
Maungakiekie, Rangitoto, grasped by many,
Contested by multitudes – battles fought,
And battles lost! Oh what terror!
Strangers, come, settle like godwits
On the landing-place! It is Tamaki-makau-rau!
They land at Waitemata, climb Maungawhau,
They alight at Manukau, mount Maungarei!
The forest of Tane falls, the marae of the new men lie here!
Translated by Margaret Orbell.