Six60 Pepeha: Music and Identity
Exploring Māori culture through music Year 3-4 Music Education 60 minutes of singing, rhythm, and cultural learning
What is a Pepeha?
A way of introducing yourself in Māori culture Connects you to your land, mountains, and rivers Shows your whakapapa (family connections) Helps others understand who you are and where you come from
Think About Your Special Places
What mountain can you see from your home? What river or beach is special to your family? Where do your grandparents come from? What place makes you feel happy and connected?
Meet Six60
Popular New Zealand band from Dunedin Mix rock, reggae, and electronic music Created a modern pepeha song Helps young people connect with Māori culture through music
Listen and Move
First, we'll listen to the Six60 Pepeha song Listen for the steady beat Feel free to clap or tap along Notice how the Māori words sound
Key Māori Words in the Song
Maunga = Mountain Awa = River Iwi = Tribe or people group Whakapapa = Family connections and ancestry
Singing Practice Time
We'll learn the song line by line Echo singing - teacher sings, you repeat Don't worry about perfect pronunciation Focus on singing together as a class
Music Connects Us All
Through singing Six60's Pepeha together, we learn about Māori culture and discover how music helps us share our stories and connect with others.