Tuhoe prophet of the Urewera June 2009
This reggae song celebrates Rua Kenana, who led the Tuhoe people at a time when their land and way of life in the Urewera Ranges was threatened by Pakeha exploitation.
- Rua Kenana

Love in a Fowlhouse May 2009
Garner Wayne was feeding his fowls when his teenage daughter confided to him that she was having boyfriend trouble. So he cheered her up and gave her wise advice with this song.
- Love in a fowlhouse

Damn the dam, cried the fantail...
February 2009
John Hanlon's advert for Pink Batts insulation was used to save Lake Manapouri.
- Damn the Dam

Show integrity, young man...! January 2009
This Hawke Bay haka calls for young men to look inside themselves for the integrity to lead them out of their troubles
- Tika Tonu

Along the coast the Magnet came...November 2008
In the 1840s, Otago shore-whalers amused themselves with this parody.
- The Beautiful Coast of New Zealand

Ahhh... Ka Mate, Ka Mate ! October 2008
Different versions of Ka Mate are compared, and the origins of Ka Mate are examined,
- Ka Mate, Ka Mate

Oh Mother, this Egypt's a terrible land September 2008
New Zealand soldiers were not impressed with Maadi camp at Cairo.
- The Sands of the Nile

I've got a little dugout in Matruh July 2008
Kiwis soldiers, shearers and bushmen have sung versions of the 1880s Kansas song about a little old sod shanty on the plain- Dugout in Matruh

Spread your light on us, Matariki June 2008
A gentle message of love for the poor and needy at the time of our southern new year - To Aroha

Here's a job cutting-in, and boiling down blubbers... May 2008
An old shore whaling chanty - Come All You Tonguers

Mara Maori maiden proud April 2008
Famed for poi play, Mara was the heroine of Alfred Hill's 1903 musical, Tapu. - Waiata Poi

E Ipo, Missy March 2008
We mourn the sudden death of Missy Teka who received this wonderful song from her husband Prince Tui Teka - E Ipo

Revised guide to song books February 2008
Colonial folk songs, popular old Kiwi songs, recent ballads, Maori action songs, moteatea - Song Books

When Hillary was a tiny tot, he scaled the garden wall.. January 2008
A song paying tribute to Ed Hillary's life of endeavour, humility and care for others - The Ballad of Sir Edmund Hillary

I'm packing my things to go home... January 2008
This Otago gold-miner had no luck rocking his cradle - Packing My Things

Ka rū! Ka rū! The line is trembling. October 2007
This Maori fishing song uses Pacific Island mission harmonies - Ka rū ka rū

There is no depression in New Zealand August 2007
Blam Blam Blam's sardonic comment on Muldoon's leadership became an anthem for the McGillicuddies - There is No Depression in New Zealand

Your red scarf matches mine. How delightful! July 2007
A racy 1900s Rotorua love affair is kept alive in the Red Scarf song - Pakete Whero

Hiwi the Kiwi went hunting one night... June 2007
This yicky song is a favourite with the little kids when The Minstrel visits their school - Hiwi the Kiwi

Alas, poor Rona!= April 2007
Rona was seized by the moon and now lives there, all alone - Rona

Man oh man, I vos FREE!=March 2007
Old Russian Jack was still humping his swag in the prosperous 1960s.
Russian Jack

The Wind from the North touches me...=Feb 2007
The cry of those driven from their Garden of Eden by British invaders in 1864. E Pā Tō Hau

Mackenzie & His Dog=Jan 2007
Songs and stories about James Mackenzie the sheep stealer - Mackenzie

"There was arsenic in poor Betty" =Jan 2007
The last man in New Zealand to be hanged for murder - Puketapu

"E Rere Ra Te Matangi""October 2006-
Wharetini Rangi sang of his love for his wife as he sailed away from Tauraunga in 1924 on board the Matangi

"Swooping through the Sky..."
Your webmaster has just turned 65, and to celebrate, I'm featuring some of my own songs. Here's one about my childhood hero, a top-dressing pilot - Superman

A Young Bull from Otaki July 2006
A cheeky late-night party song in New Zealand .... and a children's song in other countries ! - He Püru Taitama e and Epo i Tai Tai e

Gone to Invercargill - Mar 2006
That's right there's a car for sale
It's in good condition and the motor is running
It was my wife's 'til she went away
Now she's gone to live ... in Invercargill

Pania of the Reef - Feb 2006
A seal-woman marries a fisherman, then returns to the sea - Pania of the Reef

Creamy but Dry! - Jan 2006
Sir Apirana Ngata delighted East Coast Maori by setting them up with dairy farms. Then he infuriated them by closing their hotels! - Te Kirimi and Poropeihana

The Wreck of the Old 2-2-7 - Jan 2006
"Oh they gave him his orders at Taihape station,
Saying, "Driver, you're way behind time!
Old 2-2-7 ..... Other NZ train songs

"Go down in the Brunner Mine..." - Nov 2005
New Zealand's worst mining disaster - Brunner Mine

"I'm having tea at Te Kuiti... July 2005
Ken Avery loved making puns about our place names - Tea at Te Kuiti

"Me he manu rere... July 2005
"If I'd been a bird on the wing, I'd have flown to your bed...
This old action song is an evergreen favourite. - Manu Rere

"When Cobb & Co ran coaches... June 2005
Written only 30 years ago, this has become our most popular goldfields ballad. - The Stable Lad

Tramping Songs February 2005
In the Tararua Ranges - No Boots at All - No More Double Bunking

Whale Rider Nov 2003
Action song about the legendary Maori voyager, Paikea.

"Pokarekare ana, I was smoking marijuana... Sept 2003
School-yard songs are keeping up with the times - Playground Rhymes

Haere Mai! June 2003
Five versions of Maori greeting chants and songs- Haere mai

"Maori Battalion march to glory... Anzac Day 2003
We salute World War II's legendary warriors. - Maori Battalion

"He couldn't find no work..." April 2003
50,000 New Zealand men were on the road in the 1930s Depression - My Man's Gone Now

"Soon may the Wellerman come...
Weller Brothers brought 1830s shore whalers their "sugar, tea and rum" - Soon May The Wellerman Come

Come where duty calls! March 2003
Support for Kiwi troops in the trenches of France. - Hoea Ra Te Waka Nei

Lemmi Sticks? Mar 2003
Girl Scouts of the USA, please don't refer to E Papä Waiari as a "lemmi stick tune" - E Papa & Slahal, get them right!

Poi E Oct 02
Dalvanius's song gave hope to Patea.- Dalvanius's life - Poi-E

Fiddler's Hill Oct 02
Settlers at Puhoi had a passion for dancing up on Fiddler's Hill

Minnie Dean Sept 02
They hanged Southland's baby farmer - Minnie Dean

Opo the "crazy" dolphin August 02
Or was the boatie who killed her the crazy one? - Opo the Friendly Dolphin

E Ipo June 02
Prince Tui Teka's big number. - E Ipo

"Waitaki Pukaki Taranaki . . . Feb 02
I've Been Everywhere Man

Full List of Kiwi Songs

Your feedback

These pages owe much to the many people who have sent in lyrics, recordings and information.

More of these contributions would be greatly appreciated, as would be any comments or corrections. John.Archer@xtra.co.nz

<a href= "http://folksong.org.nz/index.html"> NZ Folksong</a> - Old work ballads, Maori waiata and recent songs about the Kiwi way of life. Lyrics, chords, tunes and background information about song content, songwriters and recordings.

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