Sir Apirana Ngata and Waiata-a-ringa – a very brief history
A waiata-a-ringa is an action song.
In the last 100 years waiata-a-ringa have become essential parts of kapa haka
performances in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
All cultures change and the advent of waiata-a-ringa into Maori performing arts is an
example of this.
Prior to the arrival of European migrants, lyrics were traditionally chanted, but the
Europeans introduced a sung style of song. The Maori adopted this style and some
waiata-a-ringa have a distinctly European sound, while remaining Maori in essence
and spirit.
It is believed that Sir Apirana Ngata was instrumental in the first ever waiata-aringa, and he has become known as ‘The Father of the Action Song’.
Sir Apirana Ngata was born on July 3, 1874 in Kawaka.
He was a gifted scholar and was the first Maori student to graduate from a New
Zealand university, gaining the degrees of a Bachelor of Arts in politics in 1893 and
an LLB (Law degree) in 1896.
He became a lawyer and a politician and he first entered parliament in 1905.
In 1931 as Minister of Maori Affairs, he developed the Maori Land Development
Scheme where undeveloped Maori land was brought into production. He worked very
hard to raise the living standards of Maori people and fought for equal opportunities
in education.
Sir Apirana Ngata was dedicated to the protection and advancement of the Maori
culture. He translated the popular European songs of the time into te reo Maori, and
then later borrowed the tunes and added Maori words of a different theme. These
became extremely popular in Maori performing arts.
Examples of his waiata are:
 E Pari Ra to the tune of ‘Blue Eyes Waltz’
 Hine e hine to the tune of ‘Home Sweet Home’.
 Nga moteatea, a collection of Maori songs, is one of his best-known
publications.
The idea of borrowing tunes continued for many years, although it is less common
today.
The addition of actions added emphasis to the lyrics.
Other Pacific nations have close similarities to the Maori language, culture and
performing arts. While Sir Apirana Ngata was on a trip to Samoa and Rarotonga, he
apparently witnessed groups standing in rows and performing actions while singing.
Te Rita Papesch (1990) argues that Sir Apirana Ngata brought this aspect of
Polynesian performing arts back to New Zealand.
During World War One, Maori troops were recruited for military service. They
formed concert parties, which, while based in New Zealand, performed all over the
country to raise money for the Maori Soldiers’ Fund, organised by Sir Apirana
Ngata.
This provided a perfect opportunity for composers to write new songs about
farewell, welcome, loss and love, and for the performers to improve their skills. It
also allowed the general public to see and hear waiata-a-ringa.
Following World War Two many Maori people left the countryside and their rural
lifestyle and moved to the cities, mainly to find work. Many Maori clubs and culture
groups began at this time, and they became very skilled performers of waiata-aringa. The themes of waiata-a-ringa at this time were mostly about war, but often
they portrayed expressions of sorrow, loss and love that people felt when family
members had been killed in action.
Groups such as Ngati Poneke in Wellington (1936) and Te Roopu Manutaki in Auckland
(1969) made the language in waiata-a-ringa very modern and simple.
Today the themes of waiata-a-ringa are very broad and, as for the haka, they are
specific to certain tribes/iwi.
The most important thing in relation to waiata-a-ringa, and in the performing arts
as a whole is the words – they must be accurate, fluent and precise. The actions are
only there to help emphasise the words and portray the message of the song.
Performers, once they have learnt the words and their meaning, can then become
adept at knowing when to pukana (dilate the eyes), when to smile or not smile, and all
of the other gestures associated with waiata-a-ringa.
(Ki Te Whaiao, Edited by Ka’ai, Moorfield, Reilly and Mosley)
Sir Apirana Ngata was awarded a knighthood in 1927, the third Maori to receive this
high honour.
He died on July 14, 1950 in Waiomatatini. His image appears on the NZ$50 bank
note.
A brief timeline of the history of waiata-a-ringa
Pre 1769: Lyrics chanted
1769–1814: Sailor influence
1814–1870: Missionary influence with the introduction of hymns and learning to play
Western instruments
1870–1930: The development of the Maori Concert party and waiata-a-ringa. In 1911
- a large troupe from Te Arawa toured England. More lively tunes became popular
and WW1 inspired many farewell songs.
1930-1965: WW2 produced new songs about war and loss. New styles such as jazz,
blues and rock and roll influenced Maori music
1965-2005: The Aotearoa Traditional Maori Performing Arts Festival was created,
but the first festival wasn’t held until 1972.