Visual Pepeha - Connecting to our land and whanau

Everyone has a pepeha which links them to their ancestors. It’s like a story that connects you to your waka (how you got to New Zealand), your hapū and iwi (where your family are from). It identifies important places like your maunga (mountain), awa (river) and marae (family home). A pēpi (baby) and their whānau may have several pepeha that link them to their different whānau. Teaching pēpi through stories, photos, pictures or even singing their pepeha helps them grow up feeling connected and familiar with who they are and where their people are from. Watch some of our youngest Waka kids explore this concept in 2d's video:

Can you talk with your family about its origins?  What would be your pepeha?  Could you create your pepeha with drawings, collage pictures or a speech?