Ko Au Tei Aiteanga

[Intro]
(Ohhh… yeah yeah…)
(95… island vibe…)
Ko au tei… nō te enua…

[Verse 1]
Born where the ocean call my name
Salt in my blood, yeah I carry that flame
From the vaka, yeah my ancestors’ way
I walk in their footsteps every day
Coconut breeze and the sun gon’ shine
Mountains to the reef, yeah it’s all mine
Every little wave keep talkin’ to me
“You know who you are, don’t forget your identity”

[Pre-Chorus]
They tried to dim my light, but I glow now
Roots run deep, yeah I stand my ground
Every word that I speak, every sound
Is my culture, yeah it’s who I am now

[Chorus ]
I stand tall, I stand proud (proud)
Say it loud, say it loud (loud)
Ko au tei, nō te enua nei
Yeah this my life, this my way
My culture in my soul (soul)
Make me whole, make me whole (whole)
Anywhere that I go (go)
Cook Islands, that’s my home 

[Post-Chorus]
E tu! (stand up) E tu!
Don’t let them change you
E tu! (stand up) E tu!
Be proud of your roots
Ko au tei! Ko au tei!
Nō te enua nei!
Ko au tei! Ko au tei!
That’s my identity

[Verse 2]
Ura in my step when I move my feet
Heartbeat drums, yeah you feel that beat
Hands in the weave, yeah stories I hold
Of the queens and the warriors bold
Lagoon so blue like a dream I see
Heaven on earth, yeah it lives in me
Every island got a piece of my heart
No matter where I go, I’ll never fall apart

[Pre-Chorus]
I won’t forget where I come from
Even when the road feel long
Hear my people in my chest drum
Tellin’ me “child, stay strong”

[Chorus]
I stand tall, I stand proud (proud)
Say it loud, say it loud (loud)
Ko au tei, nō te enua nei
Yeah this my life, this my way
My culture in my soul (soul)
Make me whole, make me whole (whole)
Anywhere that I go (go)
Cook Islands, that’s my home 

[Bridge]

Te reo Māori… I won’t let go…
I speak it proud… let the whole world know…
From my lips to the next generation
You my strength, you my foundation
E TU! Don’t be afraid!
Roots too strong, never fade!
From the past to the now we rise
See the pride in my eyes

[Final Chorus]
I stand tall, I stand proud (yeah yeah)
Say it loud, say it loud (say it loud)
Ko au tei, nō te enua nei
Forever this is part of me
My culture in my soul (in my soul)
Make me whole, make me whole
Anywhere that I go (I go)
Cook Islands, that’s my home 

[Outro ]
Ko au tei… (I am…)
Nō te enua nei…
Ko au tei…
That’s who I’ll always be…

Island Reggae,
Reggae offbeat guitar 
Deep bassline (melodic, not aggressive)
Soft keys/piano pads light island drums