As the sun rises from the ocean and its rays strike Mauao this Thursday, in the dawn a chorus of voices united in song shall greet the new day.

To celebrate the opening of the Tauranga Arts Festival, a choir made up by the people who call this beautiful city home will sing a specially commissioned waiata on Thursday at 7am.

A specially commissioned waiata composed by Tauranga musicians Teraania Ormsby-Teki and Ria Hall will be sung by a choir of people to officially open the Tauranga Arts Festival on Thursday morning. Photo: File.

Composed by Tauranga musicians Teraania Ormsby-Teki and Ria Hall, the beautifully-crafted waiata ‘Tākiri Ko Te Ata' draws on the story of Mauao and depicts the dance of the fairies of Hautere, who keep the maunga company every night and depart on the dawn.

'I got quite emotional when I first read the words and heard the music because it was absolutely perfect,” says associate festival director Claire Mabey.

'Commissioning the waiata was about having something really special just for this festival, starting it off with something grown from here.

'We didn't give any direction to Ria or Teraania – we wanted them to do what they wanted to do and what they've come up with is completely beautiful.”

The dawn chorus will be led by Ria and everyone who wants to lend their voices to the harmony can take part, with Claire summing it up perfectly: 'This is a Tauranga song to celebrate a Tauranga event.”

If you visit the art festival's website you'll find links to the song, a copy of the lyrics, plus sheet music – with scores for alto, soprano and tenors parts – that are available for download.

There's also a rehearsal planned for Tuesday (October 20) at 5.30pm by the Hairy Maclary statues on the Strand. If rain interrupts the practice run, the venue will change to Baycourt (downstairs).

'It'll be really good fun and also a great experience for people who want to come and be a part of something special,” adds Claire.

Tauranga Arts Festival proudly presents Tākiri Ko Te Ata: A Chorus Dawn on The Strand Waterfront on Thursday, October 22, at 7am. For more information or to learn Tākiri Ko Te Ata visit: www.taurangafestival.co.nz