He Kakano Ahau
[Verse 1]
He kākano āhau
I ruia mai i Rangiātea
[Pre-Chorus]
And I can never be lost
I am a seed, born of greatness
Descended from a line of chiefs
He kākano āhau
[Chorus]
Ki hea rā au e hitekiteki ana
Ka mau tonu āhau ōku tikanga
Tōku reo, tōku oho-oho
Tōku reo, tōku māpihi maurea
Tōku whakakai marihi
My language is my strength
An ornament of grace
An ornament of grace
[Verse 2]
Ka tū ana āhau
Ka ūhia au e ōku tipuna
[Pre-Chorus]
My pride I will show
That you may know who I am
I am a warrior, a survivor
He mōrehu āhau
[Chorus]
Ki hea rā āu e hītekiteki ana
Ka mau tonu i āhau ōku tikanga
Tōku reo, tōku oho-oho
Tōku reo, tōku mapihi maurea
Tōku whakakai marihi
My language is my strength
An ornament of grace
An ornament of grace
An ornament of grace
An ornament of grace