Framing Your Pepeha: A Declaration of Identity and Unity
Across Aotearoa, more and more people are choosing to display their pepeha proudly in their homes. Whether written in elegant calligraphy, woven into a tukutuku panel, incorporating into art, or presented as a beautifully framed print, a pepeha on the wall is more than just decoration—it is a powerful statement of belonging, connection, and respect for Te Ao Māori. It's a grand acknowledgement of the indigenous people of Aotearoa.
Why Frame Your Pepeha?
For Māori, pepeha is a deeply personal expression of identity, whakapapa, and tūrangawaewae. It links individuals to their ancestors, whenua, and waterways, affirming their place in the world. By framing and displaying their pepeha, Māori are making a visible commitment to their heritage, ensuring that their connection to their tūpuna and whenua is seen and remembered daily.
For Tāngata Tiriti, a pepeha urutau (adapted pepeha) represents an ongoing journey of engaging with Te Ao Māori in a meaningful and respectful way. Displaying a framed pepeha urutau at home is more than an act of appreciation; it is a declaration of support for Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a commitment to the shared future of Aotearoa. It signals an effort to walk alongside Māori, learning and growing in understanding. It's a statement of being proud as tangata Tiriti.
Strengthening Our National Unity
A framed pepeha, whether Māori or urutau, is a sign of kotahitanga—unity in diversity. It affirms that each of us, no matter our ancestry, has a role to play in shaping the identity of Aotearoa. When visitors enter a home and see a pepeha displayed, it invites conversation, reflection, and recognition of the richness of our shared histories.
For children, seeing their family's pepeha every day reinforces their understanding of their roots and encourages pride in their identity. It provides a foundation for them to grow up with a strong sense of place and purpose. For adults, it serves as a daily reminder of their connection to the land and their responsibility to uphold the values of Te Tiriti.
A Visible Commitment to Te Ao Māori
For Tāngata Tiriti, engaging with pepeha is an active step in forming authentic relationships with Māori culture. It shows that they are not just learning about Te Ao Māori but finding ways to embed it into their daily lives. A framed pepeha makes this commitment tangible, encouraging deeper conversations within families and communities about what it means to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Displaying a pepeha in a home signals that Te Ao Māori is valued, respected, and embraced. It challenges the idea that Māori culture exists only in specific spaces and instead affirms that it belongs everywhere—in homes, workplaces, and communities across the motu.
Bringing Your Pepeha to Life
If you are considering framing your pepeha, take time to craft it thoughtfully. For Māori, this might mean seeking guidance from whānau or iwi. For Tāngata Tiriti, it involves understanding that a pepeha urutau is not about claiming Māori identity but about acknowledging relationships—with people, land, and history.
Choose a presentation style that resonates with your values—traditional Māori design elements, contemporary artistic interpretations, or even a bilingual format to further normalise te reo Māori in daily life.
Above all, let your pepeha be a living expression of who you are and how you connect to Aotearoa. By framing and displaying it, you contribute to a future where respect, understanding, and unity guide us forward as one nation.
He waka eke noa—we are all in this together.
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