Sir Timoti Karetu is one of the country's chief exponents of te reo Maori--from leading the Maori Language Commission to producing a new generation of language experts through his teaching at Te Panekiretanga o te Reo Maori. He is also an unrivalled creator of waiata and haka, composing songs and judging at Te Matatini and other events. In this book, Sir Timoti shares his extensive experience in the artforms of haka and waiata-- from Maori songs of the two world wars to the rise of kapa haka competitions, from love songs to action songs, from Sir Apirana Ngata to Te Puea Herangi, and from Te Matatini to contemporary hui on marae. Throughout the book, he draws on exemplars of Maori song and haka, explaining form and meanings, maintaining his stance that Lyric is Paramount Written in exemplary te reo Maori, Matamua ko te Kupu will become a taonga of Maori knowledge and language.