The wreck of the Rena October 2011

Did the container ship Rena go aground because of the crew's Rugby World Cup fever?
- The Wreck of the Box-Feeder Rena

Ancient versions of Ka Mate Sept 2011
Old texts from the 1850s suggest 15th century boat-hauling and peace-making origins for the haka. - Ancient versions

All men are equal under the sun July 2011
The all-white All Black tour of South Africa in 1960 highlighted the racial discrimination faced by Maori moving from rural areas into mainstream urban New Zealand. This song from Gisborne C&W singer Margaret Raggett quietly asserted their rights.
- Under the Sun

Pokarekare Ana in Korea July 2011

그대만을, 기다리리 내사랑 영 히 기다리리

Gu dar marney, gi da riri Ne sarang young hi, gi da riri....

Only for you, will I wait My darling forever, will I wait ....

- Yeon-ga

A much-travelled tune   April 2011
"Cuando Calienta el Sol," from Nicaragua became "Love Me With All Your Heart," in the United States, and this tune was the rangi for young Maori in Hawkes Bay calling for cultural guidance from their elders. - Tangihia

Black River Mine   February 2011
Seventeen-year old Joseph Dunbar was killed in the Pike River coal mine on his first day at work.
- Black River Mine

Arthur Allan Thomas November 2010
Ever since the bodies of Jeanette and Harvey Crewe were thrown into the Waikato River, a dank mist has blighted the life of Arthur Thomas.
- Mist on the Waikato

"Thanks to our mates in Australia" Feb 2010
Australian watersiders smuggled cash into NZ in 1951 to support those who were striking on the wharves here.
- Our Mates in Australia

When I awoke next morning,
        No trousers could I find Jan 2010
Bob Bickerton's tale of the gold-miner gypped by a beautiful young 'woman.'
- The Close Shave

One Day a Taniwha Sept 2009
This classic Kiwi kids' song is now available in a picture book.
- One Day a Taniwha

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

Love in a FowlhouseMay 2009
Garner Wayne was feeding his fowls when his teenage daughter confided to him that she was having boyfriend trouble. - 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

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 Alphabetical 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

- NZ songs for school projects

<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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