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Mihi and Pepeha Introduction

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Mihi and Pepeha Introduction

Read the short guide, then try the activities. You can answer about the fictional speakers in the guide. If you choose to write about yourself, share only what feels right for you; you do not need to disclose whakapapa or personal connections.

A quick guide to mihi and pepeha

A mihi is a greeting or welcome. People may also use mihi for a greeting speech. Kia ora can be used to greet someone or to express thanks. Tēnā koe is a greeting to one person; tēnā kōrua is to two people; tēnā koutou is to three or more. Haere mai and nau mai are welcoming expressions. A pepeha is a way to introduce yourself and express connections. Depending on a person and their context, it may name places, whānau, hapū or iwi. There is no single template that fits everyone. Follow your whānau’s guidance and local tikanga, and ask how names should be said. In this guide, fictional speaker Maia uses a simple greeting and introduction: “Tēnā koutou. Ko Maia ahau. Ko Taranaki tōku maunga.” (Greetings, everyone. I am Maia. Taranaki is my mountain.)

Read, notice, and practise

Use the guide above to complete each activity. Match the audience carefully, and remember that a pepeha can reflect different connections for different people.

1.Maia is greeting one person. Which greeting from the guide is intended for one person?

Tēnā koe
Tēnā kōrua
Tēnā koutou

2.Maia sees two visitors arrive. Which greeting from the guide is intended for two people?

Tēnā koe
Tēnā kōrua
Tēnā koutou

3.A group of four visitors arrives. Choose the most suitable greeting from the guide and explain why it fits.

4.Match each Māori phrase with its meaning from the guide.

Kia ora
Haere mai
Tēnā koutou

A greeting to three or more people
A greeting or expression of thanks
A welcoming expression

5.Complete Maia’s introduction using the words from the guide: “Ko ahau.”

6.In Maia’s example, what does “Ko Taranaki tōku maunga” tell listeners?

7.True or false: There is one pepeha template that must be used by everyone.

TrueFalse

8.A visitor asks Maia to say a local name correctly. What respectful next step does the guide recommend?

9.Write a two-line mihi for a group arriving at a gathering. Use a greeting from the guide and add a welcome in Māori. (One suitable answer is enough.)

10.If you want to practise an introduction, complete the sentence with a fictional name: “Ko ahau.” You may use Maia or make up a name.