THIS ARTICLE IS THE FIRST OF A SERIES DESCRIBING THE STATE OF MAORI DANCING TODAY. Photos: J. Ashton 3. Ki te Hokowhitu-atu-toa. swinging of the arms, the swaying of the body and the finger movements go back to traditional Maori dances done by women (ngangahu, kopikopi). With the action song, these movements are, however, for the first time meant to convey definite feelings and ideas: everyone knows, for instance, the movement accompanying haere mai: a swinging of the arm accompanied by a finger action, imitating a gesture of greeting. Well-known actions are shown in the accompanying photographs, which were taken when Sue Keelan, of Hukarere College, performed the well-known action song reproduced below. These illustrations show the wide range of feelings expressed in the action song. It is a simple item; any Maori can perform it without much training; yet the actions are shaped by an authentic Maori spirit which otherwise might not so easily, under modern conditions, find free and artistic expression. 4. Nga mamaetanga me nga pouri nui. 5. Me anga atu ka karanga.