Waiata are commonly sung after a mihi (speech). It is the act of singing a waiata that is important. The quality of the singing may enrich the event, but it is the act of supportive singing that has the most significance.

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Certain waiata are sung on particular occasions. Some waiata are just for a tangi and others  just for the whai korero while some are iwi specific.

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Hymns are also sung in church service and are maori translations of English Hymnals .