TREASURE
The power of the waiata
A new waiata – E te atua tapu (To the Almighty) – that captures the wairua (spirit) of the message has been gifted to Christ’s College. It is the third waiata to have been woven into the fabric of College culture, signalling stronger and evolving connections to te reo and tikanga (customs and values) within the school community. “A waiata is the conduit for passing on Māori culture, language, history, and knowledge,” Director of Music Robert Aburn explains. “It is important that we all have a greater understanding of the role of the waiata and its impact on our identity. It is a wonderful oral tradition of song, underlined by our tikanga. “Our new waiata encapsulates the essence of our spiritual life in both
the Chapel and the wider College community. A stunning work, it also reflects the contemporary musical voice of today and will become an integral part of our worship in the College Chapel.” Composed by kapa haka group tutor Te Huaki Puanaki, it is the third waiata commissioned by College to be regularly sung by the kapa haka group and the Chapel Choir, as well as by the full school and staff. “The acknowledgement to actively promote te reo and tikanga at College has been a journey that we have been on for some time,” Robert says. “Wanting to provide a stepping stone for this journey, we commissioned our first waiata – Te Whakapono Ki Te Atua (The Guiding Principles of our College) – for the College community in 2017. “While the waiata is integral to
our journey, the most important aspect is ensuring complete respect for all things Māori and that tikanga is embedded in all that we do and achieve. “Te Huaki Puanaki has created all three beautiful waiata. Both contemporary and melodic, and rhymical and uplifting, the waiata – gifted to the school by the Puanaki whānau – are now intrinsic to College life.” In 2019, the second waiata – Whakamanawa Ki Te Atua (We Honour the Almighty) – was introduced. “A contemporary waiata, it particularly captures the Christian message of the Christmas season,” Robert says. “A taonga to treasure for many generations to come, Whakamanawa Ki Te Atua often features in our annual Carols on the Quad.”
COLLEGE 2023
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