Pepeha for Pākehā & Tauiwi (non-Māori/foreigners)

Many followers have asked for appropriate ways that Pākehā/tauiwi (non-Māori/foreigners) can say their pepeha. Here are some useful templates you can start with that respectfully pay homage to the area in which you live without 'claiming' them.

*Edit: For non Māori, a more preferred/correct term is ‘mihimihi’ (a greeting and introduction about yourself) as opposed to 'pepeha'.


Credit to @auckland_libs for original content 🙏🏾
Template developed by Donovan Farnham.

Reciting one's pepeha is a way of connecting with others by introducing your whakapapa (genealogy) and where you come from. Anyone can have a pepeha/mihimihi, the wording is just a little different in some cases for Pākehā/tauiwi to ensure it respects tangata whenua and local landmarks.

Pepeha for pākehā & tauiwi (foreigners/non-Māori) 

Ko ______ te maunga e rū nei taku ngākau
______ is the mountain that speaks to my heart

Ko ______ te awa e mahea nei aku māharahara
______ is the river that alleviates my worries

Nō ______ ahau
I am from ______

E mihi ana ki ngā tohu o nehe, o ______ e noho nei au
I recognise the ancestral and spiritual landmarks of ______ where I live

Nō reirā, tēnā koutou katoa
Thus, my acknowledgement to you all

Pepeha for pākehā & tauiwi in Aoteaora

Nō ______ ōku tīpuna
My ancestors are from ______

I tae mai ōku tīpuna ki Aotearoa i te tau ______
My ancestors arrived in Aotearoa in the year ______

Ko ______ rāua ko ______ ōku kaumātua
______ and ______ are my grandparents

E noho ana au ki ______
I live in ______

Ko tēnei taku mihi ki ngā tāngata whenua o te rohe nei. Ka mihi hoki au ki ngā tohu o te rohe nei. Nō reira, tēnā koutou katoa.
I acknowledge the indigenous people of this area. I acknowledge the important landmarks of this area. Thus, my acknowledgement to you all.

Pepeha for Pākehā & Tauiwi (non-Māori/foreigners)