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Pepeha and Mihimihi Practice

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Pepeha and Mihimihi Practice

A class is travelling by train to a regional hui. Oliver, Arjun and Finn are preparing to introduce themselves and welcome one another. Read the short scene, then complete the activities. You may use a family or community connection you know, or choose a place connection that is meaningful and appropriate to you. You do not need to share private whakapapa details.

Read the scene

Oliver says, “Kia ora koutou. Ko Oliver ahau. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone.” Arjun replies, “Tēnā koe, Oliver. Ko Arjun ahau.” Finn listens, then says, “Tēnā koutou katoa. Ko Finn ahau.” Their kaiako reminds them that a mihimihi is a greeting or introduction, and a pepeha can locate a person through important relationships and connections. People’s pepeha may follow different patterns; use the form and guidance of the people and place you are speaking with.

1.Match each kupu to its meaning: maunga, awa, iwi, hapū, marae.

maunga
awa
iwi
hapū
marae

mountain
communal meeting place
tribe or people
river
sub-tribe or kin group

2.Which phrase is a suitable way to greet a group in the scene?

Tēnā koutou
Ko Oliver ahau
Ko wai tō awa?
Haere rā koutou

3.In the scene, what does “Ko Arjun ahau” tell the group?

4.Complete the greeting: “Tēnā katoa.” It means “Greetings to you all.”

5.True or false: Everyone must use exactly the same order and every pepeha element when introducing themselves.

TrueFalse

6.The train group wants to respond respectfully after Finn speaks. Write one appropriate response in te reo Māori.

7.Write two respectful actions to take while someone shares their pepeha at the hui.

Build an introduction

Use the sentence frames below as a starting point. Choose details you are comfortable sharing. Do not claim iwi, hapū, marae or whakapapa connections that are not yours. If you are unsure, ask a trusted person how to introduce yourself respectfully.

8.Complete a simple mihimihi using your own name: “Kia ora koutou. Ko ______ ahau.” Add one more greeting or sentence that suits a hui.

9.Choose a connection you are comfortable sharing, such as a place that matters to you. Write a sentence in English explaining why you chose it; you may include an appropriate te reo Māori sentence frame if you know one.

10.Write a short, respectful reply to someone who has shared a connection that is different from yours. Include a greeting or thanks.

11.In your own words, explain one way that sharing a mihimihi or pepeha can help people build relationships at the hui.