Just because ...

Just because we're from Northland College, people will perceive

We're too busy getting wasted to highly achieve.

Just a bunch of Maoris getting effed up every day,

Just another generation that's drinking life away.

Lining up at social welfare, 10 kids outside,

Trying to hustle up some money to go home and get high.

Nothing in our cupboards, no food for our kids to eat.

Sitting in the corner with our hands up in defeat.

No.

This will not be our future; of this I'm absolute,

We are more than expectations of close-minded men in suits.

Just because we're from Northland College, it doesn't have to mean,

We have to bow down to people who try to crush our dreams.

Ko au ko toku ahurea, ko toku ahurea ko au

I am my culture and this is what I know.

Our culture is our strength and this cannot be denied,

Will not be hidden and will not be defied.

No we cannot let anybody dictate who we need to be,

Show the world our talents and set your passions free.

Don't let your aspirations be silenced, stand up and make a noise,

Show the critics what we're made of, because God gave you a voice.

He gave us minds, souls; yes he gave us heart,

He gave us all the strength to rip prejudice apart.

Open yourself up, let your mind be awoken,

Defy the statistics; let the truth be spoken, about us.

Let's all have dreams, goals and aspirations,

Because if we have these it's not a waste of your creation.

There is a burning fire; it's inside of us all,

One day it will show itself when we find out what it's for.

United we will rise, divided we will fall,

Together we will march, alone we will crawl.

Lead this school to glory, go get what is yours,

Go out into this world; break down all the closed doors.

Hear the strong beat of our hearts, the thumping blood in our veins,

See our flags flying high as we lead a future of change.

Hold tight to our traditions, but defy limitations,

Leave a legacy of glory for our generation.

As we walk through those gates for the very last time,

See a vision of a future where we will all shine.

Brown brother, brown sister, brown mother, brown mister,

We can be famous without putting our fist up.

Yes.

Because we're from Northland College, critics will now see,

We will not be defeated because we will succeed.

Community, unity, you and me,

We will succeed.