Korowai Tapu

This song was written by Malcolm Gordon following an invitation from Te Aka Puaho, who had just created a new Korowai for the Moderator of the PCANZ. During a prayer time, Malcolm’s friend John Daniel prayed ‘Cast your korowai tapu around all your children’ and a melody appeared in Malcolm’s head, mid prayer! The song was based on the story of Thomas Mackenzie – a young British immigrant who was protected from breaking tapu by Ruhia, the daughter of a Wellington chief. She threw her cloak over Thomas, which adopted him into the tribe, and saved Thomas’ life. They remained friends for the rest of Thomas’ life.