Which reminds me of another New Zealand one - quoting from memory, from Denis Glover's "Sings Harry" cycle, as set to music by Douglas Lilburn:

Once my strength was an avalanche
now it follows the fold of the hill.
Once my love was a flowering branch
now withered and still.
Once it was all fighting and folly
and a girl who followed me.
Who plucked at me plucked holly
but I pluck the flowers of the sea...