Haere Mai by Sam Freedman performed by Harry Jones at Skyline Cafe, Bryndrywyns, Northland, NZ

New Zealand welcome song.

Video Credit: Lukemon / Rolling Hikoi NZ

"This is a song from New Zealand by Sam Freedman written in 1952. Freedman's song was designed to welcome tourists, with a "doodly-doo, doodly-doo," echo-the-leader style of tune which was popular in the 1950s, (Ha E Re Mai - "Ha Airy My," Ev'rything is ka pai -"Ev'rything is k'pie") and with a few phrases of Maori well-known to Pakeha (Northern European generational settlers) of the time, haere mai, ka pai (good), pai kare ("by golly").
Published in 1952, it was possibly also written to welcome Queen Elizabeth II who had just been crowned, and who was scheduled to do a Royal Tour of New Zealand in 1953 ("Throughout the land, we want to shake your hand").

1. Ha-ere Mai!
Ev'ry-thing is ka pai!
You're here at last,
You're really here at last.

2. Ha-ere Mai!
Not a cloud in the sky,
To coin a phrase,
This is the "day of days".

Bridge.
You're welcome as the sunshine,
You're welcome as a king!
Pai kare! This is one time
We'll really have a fling!

3. Ha-ere Mai!
Ev'rything is ka pai!
Throughout the land,
We want to shake your hand,

Coda.
Ha-ere Mai!
We're proud of you, that's why.
Ha-ere Mai!
Ha-ere Mai! "

Haere Mai by Daphne Walker performed by Harry Jones at Skyline Cafe, Bryndrywyns, Northland, NZ