New Zealand Folk Music:

Anei Ko Hone Heke E

By: Sebastian

Introduction to New Zealand Music

New Zealand is a country southeast of Australia.
The indigenous people from New Zealand are
called the Maori. They are spread throughout many
different tribes. Maoris use music for many
different causes. Those causes are usually strongly
linked to the occult, such as worship in their
religion. They play an important role in Maori
culture.

Maori Folk Song: Anei Ko Hone Heke E

Maoris creates songs for different events they
deemed important. For example, Anei ko Hone
Heke e was created to commemorate Hone Heke,
a tribe leader and the eventual war leader in
Northern New Zealand. The song was created to
commemorate one of his battles, the Flagstaff War.

Maori Folk Song: Anei Ko Hone Heke E

The song, like other folk songs by the Maoris, has a
slow imitative polyphonic melody. On the newer
version however, they use guitars to accompany
the singers. It was created to support and to
remember Hone Heke. Like other Maori war music,
the song is like a prayer to Hone Heke so that he
would be careful when defending the hill where the
flagpole is set. It is like a chant that was sung to
give Hone Heke good luck during the battles.

Maori Folk Song: Anei Ko Hone Heke E

The song would be sung during the Flagstaff War
by the Maoris to show support of Hone Heke. Not
all Maoris would sing this song, because not all of
the tribes support Hone Heke. Today, the songs are
mainly sung during events on traditional culture.

The Flagstaff War

The Flagstaff War begun when Hone Heke decided
to protest the new British Government by chopping
down a flagpole with the Union Jack. The British
erected one after the other, and at last posted a
guard to guard the flagpole. Once again, Hone
Heke chopped the flagpole down. This time, he
killed the guard. The war began when the British
came with their troops and some tribesmen that
supported the British.

Lyrics and Meaning

Ko wai ra te tangata nei
I whakanene atu

Who was this man

Who put out the

He rangatira n Ngpuhi

challenge?

Anei ko Hone Heke e

A chief from Ngapuhi

This was Hone Heke

This part is the introduction of the song. It is telling us

about Hone Heke, a chief that responded to the
challenge.

Lyrics and Meaning

He tangata toa tnei

He was a strong man

Ki tna iwi Mori

In the eyes of his Maori

Ka whakahh ki te Kwanatanga
O te kiri ma e

people
He challenged the
government
Of the white skinned people

This part describes who Hone Heke is. It explains that the
challenger was the government of the white skinned
people.

Lyrics and Meaning

Kororreka te kinga

Russell was his home

Tpeka te maunga nui

Tapeka his lofty mountain

Kia kaha r, e mara1

E koro Hone Heke e

Be strong, oh friend
Respected Hone Heke.

This part tells us where Hone Heke came from, Russell. It

explains to us that Tapeka, the mountain, belongs to him.
It tells Hone Heke to be strong.

Instruments Used

There is only one instrument used in this song, the

guitar. Its only added on the modern version of the
song to add chords. The melody only is played by
vocals at different octaves.

Elements of Music
Musical elements are used in this song just like
every other songs. There are several elements
which are very prominent in the song.
Melody: is often repeated. This makes it sound like
a message. Harmony: The blending of the different
voices creates a vast and complex harmony.
Timbre: A broad complete feeling timbre. This
makes the song sound unified.

Elements of Music
Rhythm: It has a constant rhythm with slight
differences, and it makes it sound more interesting
and thorough.
Tempo: It has an andante tempo.
Meter: The song has a 2/4 simple duple meter.
Dynamics: It has a Mezzo Forte dynamic because it
is sung together.

Elements of Music
Because the song is sung together, it tells Hone
Heke that all the people are united in support of
him, which is one of the messages that the tribes
are trying to tell.
The element that is most used is probably the
harmony between the different voices, which
creates a broad sound. Another one is probably the
rhythm because the song follows a constant
rhythm.

Works Cited
Archer, John. "Anei ko Hone Heke e." New Zealand Folk Song. Ed. John
Archer. N.p.,

Apr. 2015. Web. 16 Sept. 2015.

Watters, Steve. "The Northern War." NZ History. Ministry of Culture and

Heritage, 24 Oct. 2014. Web. 16 Sept. 2015.