CAN AN ORGANISATION OR BUSINESS HAVE A PEPEHA URUTAU?

Absolutely! An organisation or business can—and should—have a pepeha urutau. Like all things, an organisation or business carries its own mauri (life force) and wairua (spirit), making a pepeha urutau a meaningful way to reflect its identity. It acknowledges the important physical and spiritual connections to the land and community where the business is based. We've created our own pepeha urutau to share with you, offering insight into who we are and what we stand for.

Here’s a detailed and enriched version of our pepeha urutau that reflects both the physical and spiritual connections of our publishing business:

He Pepeha Urutau O Tā Māua Pakihi

An adapted saying of our business.

• Ko te tukutuku kōrero te whatu. (The woven words are the foundation)

• Ko te mauri o te reo e kawe ana i te mātauranga. (The life force of the language carries the knowledge)

• Ko Digital Iwi te whānau e raranga ana i te tikanga, i te reo, i te whakaaro. (Digital Iwi is the family weaving together tikanga, language, and thought)

• Tū tonu, tupu tonu, Digital Iwi! (Standing strong, growing strong, Digital Iwi!)

Explaining this pepeha urutau:

1. Ko te tukutuku kōrero te whatu (The woven words are the foundation) This phrase brings in the imagery of tukutuku panels—woven stories, digital connections, and the knowledge system that underpins Digital Iwi. This translation captures the imagery of tukutuku, which refers to the intricate latticework in Māori meeting houses, symbolising interconnected stories and knowledge systems. Whatu means the foundation or core, reinforcing the idea that storytelling and communication are at the heart of Digital Iwi.
   

2. Ko te mauri o te reo e kawe ana i te mātauranga.

   
   

   (The life force of the language carries the knowledge) This line highlights the essential role of te reo Māori in transmitting and preserving knowledge. Just as mauri is the vital essence of life, language is the carrier of wisdom, culture, and identity. For Digital Iwi, this signifies the importance of revitalising and sharing knowledge through digital and linguistic means.
   

3. Ko Digital Iwi te whānau e raranga ana i te tikanga, i te reo, i te whakaaro.

   
   

   (Digital Iwi is the family weaving together tikanga, language, and thought) This reflects the kaupapa of Digital Iwi as a collective effort—whānau working together to strengthen and share tikanga Māori, te reo, and mātauranga. The act of weaving (raranga) symbolises the interconnectedness of cultural principles, language, and intellectual engagement.
   

4. Tū tonu, tupu tonu, Digital Iwi!

   
   

   (Standing strong, growing strong, Digital Iwi!) This final line is a declaration of resilience and progress. It affirms that Digital Iwi is steadfast (tū tonu) in its mission and continuously evolving (tupu tonu), ensuring that tikanga Māori, te reo, and mātauranga flourish in the digital realm.

Conclusion

A pepeha is a concise yet powerful statement that encapsulates the values, identity, and guiding principles of the people who create it. Like a fable or parable, it conveys wisdom, offering guidance on life and purpose. Unlike well-known proverbs, pepeha are deeply personal to those who craft them, serving as a source of motivation and unity. In many ways, they function similarly to mission and vision statements in the Western world, acting as a constant reminder of a group's purpose and aspirations.

The pepeha urutau of Digital Iwi embodies its kaupapa, weaving together a commitment to te reo Māori, tikanga, and mātauranga. It is more than just words—it is a living expression of the organisation’s values, inspiring and guiding those who work there. At Digital Iwi, the pepeha is not just spoken; it is lived every day.

This pepeha urutau beautifully captures the essence of Digital Iwi, tying together the strength of storytelling, language, and cultural knowledge in a digital world. More than a statement, it is a reflection of who we are, where we stand, and the communities we strive to uplift. It also represents our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori, reinforcing our dedication to honouring and supporting these foundations in all that we do.