07/10/2026
💛💫 Talking with cherished clients today, I recalled being parked last night in Mosgiel, sun setting, warm, and this 3-4 year olds child’s voice echoing through the calm evening singing a beautiful familiar waiata (song).
‘Tutira Mai Nga Iwi’. She sung it so powerfully whilst being walked by her parent and grandparents. She was not Maori, but sung it with such innocence, light and love.
And ironically I couldn’t stop smiling because Ive woken from sleep 4-5 times the last 2 weeks singing this exact same song. Out loud - whilst waking.
I dont know 4 words of this song (waitata) when concious, but knew every single letter whilst asleep.
So when I heard this beautiful child singing this same song, Im like….OK universe. Theres a message here….and it’s taken me some time to pick it up. So I googled the meaning tonight.
And I think its a message for everyone.
💫🙌 "Stand together, shoulder to shoulder, as one people." 🙌💫
I just got told….
SING IT! FEEL IT! LIVE IT!
NGA mihi
Blessings
🙏💛💫
The opening line "Tutira mai ngã iwi" translates to English as "Line up together, people" or "Stand together, shoulder to shoulder, as one people."
Breakdown of the Meaning
• Tutira: To stand in rows, line up, or stand shoulder to shoulder.
• Mai: Towards us (indicates a call to action to come together)
• Ngã: The (plural)
• Iwi: Tribes, people, or nations. We NZ Folksong +3
Complete First Verses & English Translation
Composed by Canon Wiremu Te Tau Huata in the late 1950s, the song is a powerful anthem about unity and solidarity: @ Facebook
Mãori Lyrics
English Translation
Tutira mai ngã iwi
Line up together, people / Stand shoulder to shoulder
Tatou, tatou e
All of us, all of us together
Whãia te maramatanga
Seek after knowledge and understanding
Me te aroha, e ngã iwi!
And love for others-everyone!
Kia tapatahi, kia kotahi rā
Be united, stay as one
Canon Wi Huata composed the song "Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi" during a fami...
