22 November 2008
Maori waiata translated after 40 years
17 August 2007
By Michele Coelho: Te Waha Nui Online
The last volume of work by a leading Maori figurehead has finally been translated and published more than 50 years after his death.
Nga Moteatea: The Songs, collated by Sir Apirana Ngata over 40 years, is New Zealand’s largest collection of Maori waiata.
The singing of waiata is heard in formal ceremonies on marae, in business and political meetings and at social events.
The collection of songs was divided into four parts, but only three were translated in the late 1970s.
Judith Huntsman, editor of the Journal of the Polynesian Society, says the expense and time taken to do the translations caused the delay in this final part.
Professor Hirini Moko Mead, member of Nga Pae o te Maramatanga, finished the translation part-time over two years.
“We were very happy to have supported the translation project and this offers an excellent opportunity to celebrate the work of Sir Apirana Ngata,” says Professor Linda Smith, joint director of Nga Pae o te Maramatanga.
The translation was edited by Jenifer Curnow and Dr Jane McRae, former members of the University of Auckland’s Maori Studies Department, and also contains annotations made by Dr Mead.
Recordings included
For this publication and the redesign of the previous three volumes, the Polynesian Society joined forces with the Auckland University Press to release not only the books, but recordings collected by Sir Ngata before his death.
“The songs, especially now that they are available on CD and in translation, will inspire pieces of literature whether read in Maori or in English,” says Dr Sam Elworthy, director of Auckland University Press.
Huntsman says Ngata’s collection is “full of allusions to historical and cultural metaphors that refer to Maori culture. It is a very rich work.”
The final volume was launched on July 19 at a function held at Waipapa Marae. Dr Pita Sharples, co-leader of the Maori Party, attended along with members of Nga Pae o te Maramatanga.
“Ngata has gifted to the nation a living archive, a true taonga which must have a special place in the cultural heritage of Aotearoa,” says Dr Sharples.
