PRINCIPALS AS CULTURAL NAVIGATORS - HELPING NEW TEACHERS BEGIN WITH PEPEHA

INTRODUCTION

With Aotearoa facing a nationwide teacher shortage, forecasted to reach 1,250 by 2025, schools are increasingly relying on overseas recruitment.

As principals, you will be welcoming educators from all over the world, many of whom will be arriving with limited or no knowledge of te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, or Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

This presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

Rather than overwhelming new staff with complex content, we suggest a simple, meaningful place to begin: pēpeha whakarite.

Why Pēpeha WHAKARITE are the Ideal Starting Point

Pēpeha whakarite provide a culturally anchored way to introduce oneself, not just with names and titles, but by weaving personal identity into connection with place, people, and purpose. For Māori, it’s about whakapapa.

For others, especially new settlers, it can be adapted through pēpeha urutau to express their relationship with Aotearoa in a respectful, non-appropriative way.

Pēpeha urutau mark the first step into te ao Māori, offering new staff a cultural compass and a sense of belonging.

What Principals Can Do

Start by embedding pēpeha into induction. Make pēpeha a core component of your onboarding process. Introduce both pēpeha Māori and pēpeha urutau formats. Frame it not as a language exercise but as part of settling into the cultural life of the school.

Lead from the Front

When you share your own pepeha, especially if you are non-Māori, you model humility and a willingness to learn. This sends a clear message: “We’re all on this journey together.”

Allocate Time and Support

Dedicate time during orientation days for new staff to work on their pepeha, with the support of a mentor, tuakana, or cultural lead. Don’t rush it - it’s a taonga that takes reflection.

Connect with Cultural Advisors

Partner with local iwi or contract trusted cultural educators to guide the process. This ensures the pēpeha process is grounded in tikanga and contextual understanding.

Make it Visible in School Life

Encourage staff to use pepeha when introducing themselves to students or whānau. Display pēpeha in classrooms, important places, or on staffroom boards. This creates a rich sense of identity and whanaungatanga across the kura.

Why Pēpeha Matter for School Culture

Pepeha isn’t just about the individual. It’s a way to affirm your school’s commitment to biculturalism and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It helps embed a culture of manaakitanga and inclusion, and signals to your community that your school welcomes teachers into not just a job, but a shared journey.

Whakataukī For Reflection

E kore au e ngaro, he kākano i ruia mai i Rangiātea. I will never be lost, for I am a seed sown in Rangiātea.

This whakataukī pairs beautifully with our pepeha kaupapa - it honours those who are grounded in their culture, and offers an aspiration for newcomers to find grounding and belonging in Aotearoa through pepeha urutau. Knowing your culture means you will never be lost, your cultural origins go back a very long way.

Conclusion

As an official leader in your school, your responsibility is clear. You must assist your new teachers in integrating into the school and embracing the bicultural perspectives that reflect our nation and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. You are in an exciting position to act strategically and with leadership to lead your existing and new staff with the power and mana of the pepeha. Kia kaha, kia manawānui, kia haere tonu.

At Digital Iwi, we provide resources and guidance for principals seeking to support the development of pepeha for new staff. Visit www.digitaliwi.com to learn more.