Wear that feather in your hair
Tie a pounamu around your neck
And with a finger trace the moko on your skin
Before you even speak
I know who you are
In the wonder, in the story of what you wear
From the feather to the bird flying freely in the bush
From pounamu to the rock in the river submerged
I see you now, child of nature
From the bush to Tanemahuta
From the river to Tangaroa
I see you now, child of culture
In moko live the legends of traditions
Connecting all who live and breathe it
Uniting man with the elements
I see you now, child of spirit
You show the markings of a rangatira
So take the markings of a warrior
I see you now, child of the future
You wear a heru in your hair
A bone carving around your neck
And a smile that reaches up to touch your eyes
Before you even speak
I know who you are
In the wonder, in the story of what you wear
From the heru to the wood carved from the tree once stood
From the bone to a body of a creature your kaitiaki
I see you now, child of stature
From a smile to the heart,
Person to love person to trust
I see you now, child of the arts
Wood, bone, feather, rock and ink
Taonga like you all unique
''Ko koe te tino taonga''
Wear your wood, bone, feather, rock and ink
• By Olivia Mason, Year 12 Taieri College
