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Matamua ko te Kupu! – Ta Timoti Karetu

Matamua ko te Kupu! is a lifetime of insights into Maori dance arts, told entirely in te reo Maori by one of Aotearoa’s most esteemed cultural leaders. Sir Timoti Karetu—renowned exponent of te reo Maori, former head of the Maori Language Commission, master teacher at Te Panekiretanga o te Reo, and prolific composer of waiata and haka—shares his unparalleled expertise in this landmark book.

Drawing on decades of experience, Sir Timoti explores the full breadth of haka and waiata traditions: from songs of the two world wars to the rise of kapa haka competitions, from love songs to action songs, from the influence of figures like Sir Apirana Ngata and Te Puea Herangi to the contemporary power of Te Matatini and marae gatherings. With passion and precision, he illuminates form, meaning, and purpose, reinforcing his conviction that Lyric is Paramount!

Written in exemplary te reo Maori, this book stands as a taonga of Maori knowledge, artistry, and language, destined to inspire current and future generations.

Key Features:

Firsthand insights from one of Aotearoa’s leading cultural and language figures

Explores haka and waiata across history, from war songs to modern kapa haka

Examines the contributions of key Maori leaders and composers

Written in exemplary te reo Maori

A treasure of knowledge for scholars, performers, and language advocates

Author: Ta Timoti Karetu
Format: Soft Cover
ISBN: 9781869409418
Ideal For: Fluent reo speakers, kapa haka performers, students of te reo and Maori performing arts, and anyone passionate about Maori culture and song traditions

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