A treasured taonga, our College waiata
13 Jun 2017
In Chapel on Monday 12 June, a new and treasured College taonga – the specially commissioned waiata “Te Whakapono Ki Te Atua” – was gifted to the school.
Bishop Victoria Matthews joined Rev. Bosco Peters, Executive Principal Garth Wynne, Director of Music Robert Aburn, Assistant Principal – Curriculum Joe Eccleton, and College staff and students for the mihi whakatau. Manuhiri included Tihi Puanaki, Te Huaki Puanaki, Wiremu Puanaki, Alamein Connell, Bishop of Te Waipounamu Richard Wallace, and friends.
Robert Aburn described the whole process, from inception to delivery, as “a joy to go through” and said all the key aspects the school wanted to express had been successfully included in the waiata.
Speaking on behalf of the Puanaki whanau, Tihi Puanaki discussed the creative process, the value of sharing skills and ideas, the importance of collaboration, and how “Te Whakapono Ki Te Atua” took on a life of its own as it began to take shape. “Many people have shared this journey and had a part in the growth of this waiata. Those who do create – who compose, or write, or draw – know that often something happens and suddenly, somehow, the process takes on its own energy … We work very much as a team and a whanau, and we thank you for the opportunity. It’s been a real pleasure.”
Garth Wynne was then presented with a commemorative copy of “Te Whakapono Ki Te Atua” and the Chapel Choir sang the new College waiata in public for the first time.
The ceremony concluded with a blessing from Bishop Victoria Matthews.
“Te Whakapono Ki Te Atua” was composed by Maori composer, musician and Kapa Haka expert Te Huaki Puanaki and his family. The brief was a waiata that could be embedded into College life, that pays tribute to God and our Christian virtues, and celebrates our community, inclusiveness, our history, our successes and our aspirations.
Te Whakapono Ki Te Atua
(Puanaki whanau)
Ko te whakapono ki te atua, te kaupapa arataki e
The guiding principle of this school is belief in God almighty
Pa-oho ana tona tupu e, ki te ao, whakamoemiti aue
Let his words resound, let us worship him
Koropiko nei te māhunga ki te Ariki te potokomanawa
Let us continue to bow our heads to the lord the guiding light, the source of stability
Te Kaihono o te rongomau ki te ao, whakamoemiti aue
He who unites the world in peace, let us worship him
Chorus
Ko te Kura o te Karaiti e tu nei e, te tuapapa o te tini me te mano
Christ’s College, the platform from which hundreds have emerged
Ko te Kura o te Karaiti e tu nei e, ko te iti, te rahi, ahakoa ko wai
No matter who, no matter what race, no matter what creed, the famous, the humble, Maori and non-Maori, all are and have been welcomed
Piki mai kake mai ra, piki mai kake mai ra
Welcome to all
Ngā kakano I ruia mai mai ano
Let us acknowledge the seeds and dreams…
Ngā wawata I whakatokia mai
…that were sown in the past
Ekea ai nga taumata matauranga
The peaks of education that have been achieved
Kōrōria ki te atua, ki te atua, ki te atua
And let us continue to glorify him
