Grow in confidence by following a basic structure for a pepeha.
The structure of a pepeha is significant. It is a way of connecting and acknowledging all those who have come before you.
Name your favourite maunga (mountains) and why they are important to you and your whānau (family and kin). Can you list any awa (rivers) of significance to you and where you hail from? What is the moana or ocean that is most important to your ancestors and why?
Your kaiako will now guide you on structuring and organising personal details into a flowing pepeha.
You have started to complete your pepeha template and are now taking this inherited structure and respectfully making it your own.
It is interesting to note that there is no Ko equivalent in English, which makes the pepeha format special.
Ko is what is called a focus preposition (shows the relationship)and it indicates or highlights the focus of attention in the present tense, e.g.
Ko Maungakiekie tōku maunga = Maungakiekie is my mountain.
Ko Tāmaki Makaurau te tāone = Auckland is the city.
It is important to note that tōku is used to indicate ownership; te (the singular the) can also be used.
Ko Maungakiekie te maunga = Maungakiekie is the mountain.
Share what you have so far with your kaiako.
Recite as much of your pepeha as you can off by heart. Try and focus on one line at a time but with great flow and fluency each time.
Ask your kaiako on how to add meaningful information that enhances the pepeha (e.g., family connections, stories).
Once you have completed the template and you and your kaiako are happy, you can move into the rehearsal phase.
Here are some pātai (questions) to support your whaiwhakaaro (reflection).
| How do I say/pronounce ____ in Māori? | He aha te kupu Māori _____? |
| What does ______ mean? | He aha te kupu ____? |
| Can you repeat that? |
Kōrero mai anō? |
| Is my pronunciation right? | Kei te tika taku whakahua i te kupu ___? |
| Why? | He aha i pērā ai? |
| What made it so? | Nā te aha i pērā / pēnā ai? |
| What is your thinking? | He aha tō whakaaro? |
| What is your knowledge? | He aha tō mōhio? |