This online resource is to connect Kāi Tahu whānau with our tīpuna knowledge and practices relating to pregnancy, birthing, as well as the much needed support tools for whānau who have lost babies through miscarriage or still birth.

Rua McCallum

Rua McCallum was born in Ōtepoti, but adheres strongly to her Moeraki whakapapa, belonging to the Kāti Hāteatea hapū of Kāi Tahu. She is a playwright, poet, theatre practitioner, weaver, composer, and knowledge holder of southern mātauraka. Rua has a background in arts and heritage and is passionate about creation narrative.

Kahukura

Written by Rua McCallum and presented by Wairaamia Poipoi Taratoa-Bannister

This oriori was first performed as part of a play called Tatai. Tatai was translated into southern Māori by Huata Holmes. Rua has also made some changes as this oriori has evolved.

Kupu:

Kahukura nō runga
Kahukura nō raro
Ko Tātai Arorangi, nā Te Pō
Nau mai rā e hine
Ki te taiao nei
Whatu whatu e hine
Whai ana e hine i te ara tapuwae o Hineteiwaiwa
I tapaea koe ki a ia
Te māreikura o whare kōhaka Wahine, Ruawahine
Kimihia i tōu Tinirau e
I akamoea ki a koe
Kāwai runga
Uha tapu ko Papatūānuku iho nei nō Hine ahu one, nō Hine titama

Tāua, kāi Tāua
Kaua e aka tipu tāne
Ki o te rā, ka karo, takata tau Hine toa
Ka tū rehu, māu tonu e
Nō te pō
Ki te Ao
Ki te Ao Mārama
Ki te Ao Tūroa
Tīhei Mauriora

Translation:

Treasure from above
Treasure from below
It is Tātai Arorangi descended from Te Pō Welcome girl
To the world
Welcome girl
Pursue the path
Of Hineteiwaiwa
To her you, are now dedicated
The goddess of the nest house
Of women, of women who particpate in tribal ritual

Seek your tinirau
To be wed
You are from high up
From the sacred loins of the earth mother
From Hine ahu one, from Hine tītama

You are descended
Do not grow up like man
The sun sets, and men are lost
You will be a warrior woman
From the dawn of the night
From the night
To the world
To the world of light.
To the light of day
Sneeze of life.

Download Kahukura Kupu

Wairaamia Poipoi Taratoa-Bannister

 No Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāi Te Rangi .

Wairaamia is our youngest contributor to this oriori series at 17 years of age she performed Rua McCallum’s Kahukura oriori. Although, Wairaamia may be young she has cared for her siblings and is a popular babysitter of many around her neighbourhood.

Wairaamia is in her last year of highschool and is an advocate for all things Māori. She is a kaihaka for Christchurch’s Secondary School Te Rōpū Haka o Kimihia. She has been involved with the performing arts since she was five years old either in tap, cabaret, jazz or kapahaka. However, kapahaka is her heart and this is what she will continue on with mau ake nei.  She has represented Cashmere High School for three years with the Waitaha Regional Ngā Manu Kōrero competitions and placed first in the Korimako section in 2021. She is the current headgirl for Cashmere High School.