easier for the kiwis to know , for we live here
i paint a picture , for those not so near
the question asked , most heard in my ear
is do you plant trees , and i will, all i can bear
our land of the long white cloud , many a bird in the air
broke away from, the super gondwanaland , very early in year
this move away , to be alone , for so many millions of long years
these ancient times , our only mammal , even this bat has no fear
forest lands , with no man , some of the birds don’t do air
biggest eagle , giant claw , imagine if you saw
oh massive moa , tiny waxeye , one no longer here
came a sailor , long canoe , know the current , see the star
bring the kumra , sow the seed , from a land from afar
and for hunting , light a fire , land of plenty , and great pa
little rat , in the forest , and this just a start
soon comes white man , to this beauty , over seas so far
with his big saw , and the loud gun , looking for land and the gum
cut the tree down , make a farm , and bring in anew
hungry possum , fur on ferret , it’ no holds bar
our sweet land , now is changing , and so is the scene
of the bird call , no more heard now , wheres the flower on that tree
in our hearts now , slowly we miss , oh the huia , where’s that birdsong , that is only bliss
on small islands , we see hope yes , can straight what’s amiss
bring them back here , to our city’s , and our forests , oh yay save the bliss
no more chainsaw , for there’s care here , and we give a damm
aotearoa is at peace now , for all here are one,
lets show our whole world , it can be done see , all is together , and only be true
its one planet , live together , all the life yes , nows time , be fair
arohanui richard
