How do waiata tangi differ from waiata aroha?

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New Zealand literature Front cover of the Spiral Press first edition of Keri Hulme's *The Bone People* (1983).

In the context of Maori oral tradition, waiata are traditional songs classified by their function and thematic content. The distinction between waiata tangi and waiata aroha lies in their primary emotional focus:

Waiata tangi: These are laments. While they are most commonly associated with mourning the dead, they are also composed to express grief over other forms of misfortune or loss.12
Waiata aroha: These are songs centered on the nature of love. Their scope is broad, encompassing not only romantic or sexual love but also deep affection for one's kin or a specific place.12

Both forms are integral to the Maori tradition, where the text is inseparable from performance, often involving specific gestures and melodic lines that undulate around a central tone.12