A Maori Medley
Hine e hine, Haere mai, Pokarekare
Last updated: 11.10.21
Composer: Traditional Suppliers: dbe15.gif
Editor: G. Grainger Duet T/B
Publisher: Ditty Box Enterprises Publication: DBE 065
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This medley was put together in honour of Bremen Recorder Touring Company tour of New Zealand in April. 2001. It was first publicly performed in The Havenhaus, Bremen-Vegesack in February of that year and recorded a few days later. It was then performed a number of times in New Zealand, most poignantly when in Rotorua, the setting for Pokarekare Ana.

Hine e hine (Maori Lullaby)
This beautiful lullaby is the most famous composition of Fannie Rose Howie (1868-1916) She was reportedly born at Tokomaru Bay, New Zealand, the eldest of nine children of Herewaka Porourangi Potae [Rangi-i-paea] and Thomas William Porter a former mayor of Gisborne. She married John Howie, a civil servant, in Christchurch in 1891 and then studied singing in Australia. From 1900 she used the stage name The Princess Te Rangi Pai derived from her mother's name, Te Rangi Pai (The Beautiful Sky). In 1901 she studied with the famous baritone Charles Stanley in England and performed extensively there before returning to New Zealand in 1905. The original lyrics are:
E tangi ana koe. Hine e hine.
E ngenge ana koe. Hine e hine.
Kati tö pouri rä. Noho i te aroha.
Te ngäkau o te Matua. Hine e hine.

Haere mai (Song of Welcome)
The tune is traditional with the modern lyrics being attributed to Sam Karetu.

Pokarekare Ana
"Pokarekare Ana", is widely considered to be New Zealand's most cherished national song. The present-day version is adapted from a poem by Paraire Henare Tomoana (1868-1946) and starts like this:
Pokarekare ana nga wai o Rotorua. Whiti atu koe, e hine marino ana e. (Troubled are the waters of Rotorua. If you cross them maiden, they will be calm)
Paraire Tomoana, composer, poet, publisher, Ngati Kahungunu and Ngati Te Whatu-i-apiti leader was born in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. He studied at Te Aute College and was a leading figure in the Young Maori Party. Notwithstanding physical disabilities, he excelled in sports playing tennis, cricket, hockey and golf tournament. His greatest sporting achievement was being appointed All Black coach in 1904. He courted his second wife, Kuini Ripeka Raerena aged 19, by singing an early version of Pökarekare Ana to her and her Ngati Porou elders. His songs reflected the modern European 'action song' style, moving away from the ancient chant rhythm of waiata and patere. Among his compositions are Hoea Ra Te Waka Nei, E Pari Ra, Te Ope Tuatahi, Poi Waka and Tahi Nei Taru Kino. As well as composing action songs, Paraire was an accomplished writer and translator, a commentator on ancient waiata, and was well versed in Maori history and lore.

Performance notes
The three melodies are intended to be played, successively with only a brief pause between them. When playing this medley in New Zealand, the performers were often surprised by the listeners joining in by singing and it was necessary to quickly .react by slowing the tempo a little and raising the number of repeats to match the audience's ambitions.

This recorder adaptation is dedicated to Jenni & Barry Harford, Rotorua. New Zealand for their wonderful hospitality.

     Performer CD Title Supplier
       
cd15.gif Bremen Recorder Touring Company Farewell Recital, BRTC dbe15.gif