Introduction
This pepeha urutau is a beautiful tapestry of identity and belonging. It weaves together the ancestral roots from Poihākena and the nurturing land of Te Whanganui-a-Tara, while also celebrating the values passed down through generations and embraced in everyday life. Each line stands as a proud declaration of cultural heritage—honouring family, community, language, and the guiding principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Hera, in particular, holds a deep respect for Te Tiriti, seeing it as the cornerstone of fairness, unity, and the ongoing partnership among all peoples of Aotearoa. In its structured "Ko …" form, this pepeha urutau not only reaffirms connections to the past but also embraces a modern identity where personal and cultural integrity shine through. The particle "Ko" places a strong focus on the words that follow. For Hera, this pepeha urutau is more than a recitation; it is a heartfelt reflection of her unique journey—a blend of Māori and Pākehā heritage that enriches her life in Aotearoa. It is a poetic reminder that every aspect of her ancestry, values, and vocation contributes to a legacy of unity, pride, and enduring connection.
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Anei taku pepeha urutau: [Greetings to you, greetings to you all. Here is my adpated pepeha:]
Ko Poihākena te whenua o ōku nei tūpuna. (Sydney is the ancestral land of my grandparents.)
Ko ōku mātua i whānau mai i konei. (My parents were born here.)
Ko Te Whanganui-a-Tara te taone rangatira i whānau mai ai au. (Wellington is the noble city where I was born.)
Ko te kapa haka te ara i whakakotahi ai au me taku hoa Māori. (Kapa haka is the path that united me with my Māori friend.)
Ko te reo Māori tōku reo rangatira, i ako ai au i te kura tuarua. (Māori is my cherished language, which I learned in high school.)
Ko Te Tiriti o Waitangi tōku ture, he tauira mō te tika me te kotahitanga. (Te Tiriti o Waitangi is my guiding principle, an example of fairness and unity.)
Ko te mana whenua o Te Whanganui-a-Tara tōku whakamoemiti, he whakaute ki ngā tipuna. (I acknowledge the mana whenua of Wellington, with respect to the ancestors.)
Ko te kaikaute tōku mahi, he mahi e tiaki ana i ngā uara o te pono me te tika. (My work as an accountant is a role that upholds the values of honesty and fairness.)
Ko Hera tōku ingoa Māori; ko Sarah tōku ingoa Pākehā. (My Māori name is Hera; my English name is Sarah.)
Nā reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa. (And so, greetings again, greetings to you, greetings to us all.)
Conclusion
This pepeha urutau is a beautiful tapestry of identity and belonging. It weaves together the ancestral roots from Poihākena and the nurturing land of Te Whanganui-a-Tara, while also celebrating the values passed down through generations and embraced in everyday life. Each line stands as a proud declaration of cultural heritage—honouring family, community, language, and the revered principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. In its structured "Ko …" form, this pepeha urutau not only reaffirms connections to the past but also embraces a modern identity where personal and cultural integrity shine through. For Hera, this pepeha is more than a recitation; it is a heartfelt reflection of her unique journey—a blend of Māori and Pākehā heritage that enriches her life in Aotearoa. Hera holds a deep respect for Te Tiriti o Waitangi, which shapes her worldview and inspires her commitment to justice, fairness, and unity. It is a poetic reminder that every aspect of her ancestry, values, and vocation contributes to a legacy of unity, pride, and enduring connection.
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