In the Māori language, Kupu mino is a term for borrowed words think tiakarete for chocolate, mihini for machine or piiki for big. These words are arguably used in everyday te reo Māori conversations. In this episode the Paewhiri hosts talk about kupu mino or kupu whakawhiti, and it's not just words that sound familliar, many waiata compositions are based on familiar tunes, like Tuini Ngawai's waiata 'E te Hokowhitu a Tu' written to the tune of Glenn Miller's 'In The Mood'
Waiata performances 'E Te Hokowhitu a Tu' and 'Arohaina' first featured in an episode of Musical Chairs about the life of Tuini Ngawai, produced by Paul Diamond.
Check out the episode here
In the Mood Snippet - Glen Miller Band