Whakatau Pōtiki Māhuhu-ki-te-rangi Nga uri o Te Kawau Rongomai Te Ariki Tū ana mātou Ki runga Takaparawhā Tahu toku kāinga Tahu toku kāinga Toku ahi kā
Tāmaki manuhiri Te kuini o Engarani Whakamā kāwana Tāhae Whenua Ka tangi nga Kuia Ka noho Kaumātua Tahu toku kāinga Tahu toku kāinga Toku ahi kā
E maha nga pirihimana E whakawhiti ana ki Takaparawha Tū kaha Tū kaha Pūkana I mua o te kanohi o te kāwanatanga
Ahi kā Ahi kā Ahi kā Ahi kā Toku ahi kā Toku ahi kā Toku ahi kā Tahu toku kāinga Toku ahi kā
[English translation:]
[A recording of a whaikōrero (speech) originally given by Ngāti Whātua chief Te Kawau opens the song, accompanied by the kōauau (a traditional bone flute), which is played by Lewis.]
Whakatau Pōtiki [father of Rongomai] Māhuhu-ki-te-rangi [the ancestral canoe] The descendants of Te Kawau [the Ngāti Whātua chief who gifted much of the land for Auckland City] Rongomai, the high chief [captain of the canoe Māhuhu-ki-te-rangi] We stand Upon the headland of Takaparawhā My village burns My village burns My home
[A recording of a 1953 Christmas address by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, given from Auckland, NZ]
Visitors to Auckland The Queen of England The shameful governor [the city council] Steals our land Our old women cry Our elders are seated stay put [in protest] My village burns My village burns My home
Many police officers Converge on Takaparawhā [Bastion Point] Stand strong Stand strong Defiant before the face of the government
Home Home Home Home My home My home My home My village burns My home