Aku Mahi

Ko te whai ake nei he kupu nā Tā Tīmoti Kāretu mō te kuia nei, mō Kōhine Pōnika i tā Tīmoti pukapuka Mātāmua Ko Te kupu. 

Ko ngā kupu toitoi nei a Kōhine Te Whakarua Pōnika, kia puritia ngā mahi a Tāne-rore, a Hine-mārekareka, a Hine-te-iwaiwa. I whānau mai a Kōhine i te 28 o Hune i te tau 1928 ki Ruātoki. He wahine mau taiaha, tau ki te haka, whītiki o te kī. 

E mōhiotia whānuitia ana te waiata nei puta noa i te motu, ā, he rite tonu te waiatatia ōna, kaupapa atu, kaupapa mai, he tohu e kaingākau nuitia ana e te iwi Māori. 

These are the inspirational words of Kōhine Te Whakarua Pōnika, encouraging people to hold steadfast to the performing arts deities Tāne-rore, Hine-mārekareka and Hine-te-iwaiwa. Kōhine was born on the 28th of June, 1928 in Ruātoki. Her expertise includes the use of weaponry, being a skilled performer, as well as an orator and lyricist. This song is popular throughout the country and is sung often, a sign that it is much loved by her people.

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