Whangarei MP rocks out

Doctor, MP, and now rock star. When Whangarei's National MP Dr Shane Reti ducked down behind the stage after his speech at the opening of Te Kakano yesterday afternoon, people were expecting him to pop up with an acoustic guitar to lead a waiata. But no. "Myles, the sound please," said the MP, before launching into what can only be described as a te reo rock anthem, complete with distorted electric guitar. Mr Reti said the song was a well known Maori folk song composed by Hohepa Tamehana. "I first heard it a few years ago while doing the award winning Waipoua forest "Footprints" trek with local Maori. At that time the kaumatua sung this song to Tane Mahuta, the greatest living Kauri tree," Mr Reti said. The lyrics are: He kakano ahau (I am a seed) I ruia mai I rangiaatea (scattered from Rangiatea) And I, can never be lost I am a seed, born of greatness Descended from, a line of chiefs He kakano ahau (I am a seed) It earned him slightly baffled, but impressed applause from onlookers. "Clearly, a man of many talents," the MC observed.