Waiata

Described as an innovator, a prolific composer of waiata, Te Kooti would readily adapt existing mōteatea for his own purposes and to devise narratives that served to reinforce the history of events that he himself had witnessed first-hand. The most famous adaptation being the Ngāti Kahungunu oriori Pinepine Te Kura. Te Kooti extended its length with a detailed narrative of many of the critical moments and themes that has shaped the events of 1868-1882. Similarly, Ka tu au, ka korikori set out both the detail of the journey and exile to Wharekauri-Rekohu while confirming the earlier foretelling of Te Toiroa, the matakite from Nukutaurua, who had foreseen Te Kooti’s removal from his homeland and lived to see those events unfold. Te Kooti composed over 100 waiata which have been recorded in writing.