Accessible version

Te wiki o te reo Māori: He taonga te Pepeha

September 24, 2024

To celebrate Te Wiki o te reo Māori our Kaiarahi Mātauranga Māori, Tewaiehu Savage explored mihimihi and pepeha with educators in NEX Kōtuitui PLD online workshops.

He aha te Pepeha?

From the word 'Peha' to boast or brag about oneself. Pepeha is a tool for Māori to reclaim reo and tikanga. It is used to explain who you are and your ancestral connections.

Tewai shared structures to support Pākeha, Tauiwi and Ngāti Tiriti whānau to use pepeha and the landmarks in a respectful way. The session explored the intricacies of mihimihi and pepeha, and how to incorporate this taonga into the participant's world.

He aha te Mihimihi?

Mihimihi means to greet, pay tribute and thank. In your mihimihi you greet the audience, you pay tribute to your tūpuna, ancestors, and/or thank ngā atua, the gods. Mihimihi includes everything from your introduction greeting, adding your whānau, your closing statement.

Significant maunga, the meaning and history of their name, and nearby landmarks were also discussed.

Here is the shared presentation.

Tewaiehu Savage - eteacher — Image by: Tewaiehu Savage

Tewaiehu Savage

Kaiarahi Mātauranga Māori

To find out about primary or secondary Te Reo Māori classes in 2025 see our website kotuiako.school.nz

or email Primary@kotuiako.school.nz or secondary@kotuiako.school.nz