This tribute kōrero is not just about our Soldiers that went to war, but also about those at home who held down the Whānau and Iwi roots and adjusted their Tikanga while watching their world change around them.

Our Kīwaha o te wiki is "kei raro e putu ana" (I'm not doing too well, I've hit rock bottom)

Here are the lyrics for our Waiata o te wiki:

Ngā Whare Pa

Verse 1:

Powhiritia a nga morehu

Te iwi, tangihia

Te mamae e, me te pouri nui

Tenei ra kua mahea

Chorus:

Hoki mai ra!

Hoki mai ra ki te kaianga

E tatari atu nei ki a koutou

Nga tau roa i ngaro atu ai. E aroha

e ngau kino nei i ahau

Verse 2:

Ngā whare pa tenei huakina

Te iwi kia koa

Kua hoki mai nga tamariki toa

Ki te ao ora

TRANSLATION:

Welcome home the survivors.

All of you who have been mourning

The inward grief, and great mourning

today is cleared away.

  Welcome home!

  Welcome back to the village

  that has been waiting for you.

  Long years you have been gone. Sorrow

  has gnawed within me.

Open wide the doors of our homes

Everybody rejoice

The brave boys have returned

to the world of (normal) life.