Reading Between the Lines: How Pēpeha Urutau reveal Tāngata Tiriti Values

On the surface, a pepeha urutau - a form of pepeha whakarite developed by Māori to help Tāngata Tiriti to reflect on themselves and their relationship with Aotearoa - may seem like a series of statements about places lived, journeys made, and communities loved. But beneath the surface lies something deeper: a quiet declaration of values, identity, and intent.

Whether composed as a reflection of migration, belonging, or respect for Te Ao Māori, a pepeha urutau speaks not just of where one resides or came from, but of what one stands for and hopes to become.

Pepeha urutau is not just an autobiography - it is poetry with purpose. Like a karakia or a song, it invites us to be still, to reflect, and to commit ourselves to a deeper journey of understanding. It’s a map, not only of places, but of principles. A declaration of belonging, and of becoming.

Exploring Values in Pepeha Urutau

1. Connection to Land - Belonging and Kaitiakitanga

When someone says, Ko ngā pae maunga o Waitākere e whakarangatira ana i tōku oranga (the Waitakere Ranges enrich my life), they are not merely stating where they live. They are signalling a shift in worldview - a choice to form a relationship with the whenua, to treat the land not as a commodity, but as a companion.

For Tāngata Tiriti, naming a mountain or river in Aotearoa expresses not just presence, but belonging, respect, and a commitment to kaitiakitanga - the shared guardianship of this land.

Sub-text: I value place. I seek to honour the whenua that now sustains me.

Value: I value belonging and guardianship.

Action: I can care for the land and support environmental protection.

2. Whānau and Community - Manaakitanga and Whanaungatanga

When a pepeha urutau includes Ko te whānau Brown tōku whānau (My family is the Brown family) or Ko ngā tāone o Brighton me Hove e arohaina ana (Brighton and Hove are the towns that I love), it signals a truth that transcends geography: identity is relational.

For Tāngata Tiriti, these lines reflect manaakitanga - the duty to care - and whanaungatanga, the building of relationships. It acknowledges that who we are is shaped not just by individuals, but by whānau, friends, and the communities we serve and grow with.

Sub-text: I value people. I seek connection. I am part of something bigger than myself.

Value: I value belonging and care for others.

Action: I can participate in the community, support others, and show hospitality.

3. Journey and Identity - Ako, Mātauranga, and Aroha

For many Tāngata Tiriti, a pepeha urutau tells a story of crossing oceans, changing homes, and discovering new ways of seeing. Embedded in that journey is ako - a love of learning and teaching. It is a declaration of mātauranga - a commitment to knowledge that is respectful and grounded. It also shows aroha - a love for those who came before and hope for those yet to come.

Sub-text: I value growth. I honour the journey. I seek to understand.

Value: I value learning and the courage to begin again.

Action: I can listen, learn, unlearn, and grow with humility.

4. Anchoring Identity – Rangatiratanga and Pono

When Tāngata Tiriti declare their name, their journey, their chosen whenua, they are enacting rangatiratanga—the right to define oneself with truth and dignity. In a world that often encourages cultural assimilation, the pepeha urutau becomes a gentle act of self-definition and integrity.

It is a practice of pono - honesty with oneself, and tika - doing things the right way, in the right spirit.

Sub-text: I value truth. I define myself. I choose to walk with authenticity.

Value: I value self-determination and integrity.

Action: I can speak from my truth, acknowledge my limits, and act in alignment with my values.

5. Te Tiriti o Waitangi - Valuing Partnership, Participation, and Protection

A pepeha urutau, even if it does not name Te Tiriti o Waitangi directly, is deeply woven into its kaupapa. Choosing to use te reo Māori, to honour this form of introduction, is a form of participation - a stepping into relationship.

It signals partnership - a willingness to walk alongside tangata whenua, not ahead of or behind them. It reflects protection - a desire to uphold the mana of te reo Māori, tikanga, and tino rangatiratanga. It is an enactment of respect.

Sub-text: I value Te Tiriti. I recognise my role. I choose to walk in good faith.

Value: I value partnership and shared responsibility.

Action: I can learn about Te Tiriti, honour it, and support Māori aspirations.

A Living Expression of Values

So yes, a pepeha urutau can name mountains and cities, journeys and families. But it also does something more profound - it reveals what you care about, what you carry, and how you hope to live in Aotearoa. It’s a story of your arrival, but also of your alignment. A declaration of your values and your vision.

Every pepeha has two stories: the one that is spoken, and the one that is lived. When you learn to read between the lines, you begin to see the values that shape you. And when you understand your values, you gain the power to act with intention. Your pepeha is not just a reflection of your past - it is a compass for your future. It is a choice to live with integrity, responsibility, and aroha in this land you now call home.

Knowing who you are is the first step in deciding how you will move forward.

Whakataukī for Reflection

Mā te mōhio ka mārama, mā te mārama ka mōhio, mā te mōhio ka ora.

Through knowledge comes understanding, through understanding comes wisdom, through wisdom comes well-being.

Conclusion

A pepeha urutau is more than an introduction - it is a declaration of intent. It tells others that you are here not just to live in Aotearoa, but to belong with care, to relate with respect, and to act with purpose. By crafting your pepeha thoughtfully, you weave yourself into the shared story of this land - honouring its first peoples, upholding Te Tiriti, and committing to a future built on mutual respect and collective well-being.