Kōrero 4: Tōku Pepeha
Ko wai ahau? Nō hea ahau? — Who am I? Where am I from?
"Hutia te rito o te harakeke, kei hea te kōmako e kō?"
If the heart of the flax is removed, where will the bellbird sing?
Pepeha connects us to our roots — our mountains, rivers, waka, iwi, and whānau. This unit teaches students to construct and deliver their pepeha, building confidence in te reo Māori while deepening their sense of identity and belonging.
📚 He Kupu Whakataki — Introduction
What is Pepeha?
Pepeha is a way of introducing yourself through sharing your connections to significant landmarks, whakapapa, and whenua. It answers the fundamental question: Ko wai koe? (Who are you?)
Why Learn Pepeha?
- Establishes whanaungatanga (connection)
- Honors manaakitanga and tikanga
- Connects you to place and people
- Is expected in formal Māori contexts
Pepeha vs Mihimihi
Pepeha focuses on geographical/ancestral connections (maunga, awa, waka, iwi).
Mihimihi is broader — acknowledging people and places in conversation. For non-Māori, mihimihi may be more appropriate than full pepeha.
🏔️ Te Hanganga o te Pepeha — Pepeha Structure
Pepeha follows a specific structure. Each line connects you to something significant:
[Mountain] is my mountain
[River] is my river
[Ancestral canoe] is my waka
[Tribe] is my iwi
[Sub-tribe] is my hapū
I am from [Place]
[Name] is my name
📖 Ngā Akoranga — Lessons
Ko tōku Maunga 🏔️
Introduction to pepeha. Identify your significant mountain. Learn the sentence pattern "Ko [X] tōku maunga."
Ko tōku Awa, Ko tōku Waka 🌊🛶
Extend pepeha with river and ancestral waka connections. Singular vs plural forms (tōku/ōku).
Ko tōku Iwi, Ko tōku Hapū 👥
Add iwi and hapū connections. Discuss what makes these connections meaningful.
I te Taha o Tōku Māmā/Pāpā 👪
Add parental lineage. Pattern: "I te taha o tōku māmā, nō [Country] ōku tīpuna."
Pepeha vs Mihimihi 🤝
When to use pepeha vs mihimihi. For non-Māori students: building an appropriate mihimihi.
Pepeha Presentation Day
Students present their pepeha to the class. Peer feedback using rubric. Celebration of identity!
📄 Ngā Rauemi — Resources
📝 Handouts
🌿 Ngā Kupu — Key Vocabulary
Master these words to build your pepeha with confidence.
🗣️ Ngā Rerekētanga — Dialectal Variations
Te reo Māori varies by region. Respect these differences:
Different forms of "I/me" across regions
Ancestors (i/u vowel variation)
"Kāi Tahu" instead of "Ngāi Tahu"
"Wanganui" for "Whanganui"
📋 Curriculum Alignment
NZC Learning Languages — Te Reo Māori Emergent 1
- Linguistic Knowledge: Possessive pronouns (tōku/ōku), sentence patterns (Ko X tōku Y), dialectal variations
- Cultural Knowledge: Pepeha as expression of identity, connection to whenua, whanaungatanga values
- Communication Modes: Kōrero ā waha (speaking), Pāhekoheko (interacting)
Key Competencies:
- Relating to Others: Building connections through pepeha exchange
- Using Language, Symbols, and Texts: Mastering pepeha structure
- Managing Self: Confidence in oral presentation
Success Criteria (WILF):
- Construct a pepeha with at least 5 lines
- Deliver pepeha orally with clear pronunciation
- Explain the significance of each connection
- Demonstrate understanding of when to use pepeha vs mihimihi
📎 Unit Resources
Downloadable handouts, worksheets, and materials for this unit.