Teacher Registration and Pēpeha: Meeting NZ Teachers Council Expectations Through Culturally Responsive Practice

Introduction

The New Zealand Teachers Council requires all teachers to demonstrate a genuine and ongoing commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi through their teaching practice. This includes a deep understanding of Te Tiriti’s principles, the ability to affirm Māori learners as tangata whenua, and a conscious effort to make Te Tiriti a living part of their daily professional life. But what does this look like in practice?

At its heart, a commitment to Te Tiriti involves understanding and acknowledging the histories, heritages, languages, and cultures of the Treaty partners. For many teachers, especially those who are Tāngata Tiriti (non-Māori), this can feel like a big journey. But there is an accessible and culturally powerful starting point: the practice of pēpeha.

Two Types of Pēpeha in Te Ao Māori

In te ao Māori, the term pēpeha refers to more than one kind of saying. There are two distinct types:

• Pēpeha Whakamana - These are short, advisory or values-based sayings that express wisdom, cultural values, or calls to action. For example: “He tangata takahi manuhiri, he marae puehu."

  
  

• Pēpeha Whakarite - These are structured sayings used to introduce oneself by connecting to specific geographic and ancestral features such as maunga (mountain), awa (river), moana (sea), waka (canoe), iwi, and hapū. This is the form commonly used to express identity and belonging, especially in formal settings.

It is within this pēpeha whakarite traditions that two further distinctions are important for teachers to understand: pēpeha Māori and pēpeha urutau.

Pēpeha Māori and Pēpeha Urutau: Two Main Types of Pēpeha Whakarite

There are two main types of pēpeha whakarite, each with different origins and appropriate usage:

• Pēpeha Māori - Māori use this traditional form to declare their whakapapa-based connections to land, water, ancestors, iwi, and hapū. It is a way of affirming identity as tangata whenua and holding space for ancestral knowledge.

  
  

• Pēpeha Urutau - This respectful and adaptive form is for Tāngata Tiriti (non-Māori), enabling them to introduce themselves in a way that honours their own cultural and ancestral roots while acknowledging their place as manuhiri (guests) in Aotearoa. This form avoids making claims to whakapapa that do not belong to them, while still engaging in the tikanga of introduction.

When teachers introduce themselves using a pēpeha urutau and take the time to explain to their class why they are not using a pēpeha Māori, they are modelling cultural humility, integrity, and a clear commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Teaching Pēpeha Responsibly = Teaching Te Tiriti Responsibly

The majority of Māori learners in Aotearoa are educated in mainstream schools. Many of these ākonga are dependent on their teachers, the majority of whom are not Māori, to teach them about what it means to be Māori in Aotearoa. That is a profound responsibility.

Getting pēpeha right is a good place to start. Teaching it responsibly means understanding the different types, knowing what they mean, and ensuring that all learners - Māori and non-Māori - are guided to express their identity in ways that are authentic, respectful, and culturally safe.

Why This Matters for Registration and Appraisal

When teachers support students in creating and sharing their own meaningful pēpeha - whether pēpeha Māori or pēpeha urutau - they are not just teaching language and culture. They are providing evidence of their commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, which is essential for:

• Appraisal and performance reviews
  

• Teacher registration and renewal

  
  

• Demonstrating culturally responsive pedagogy
  

Resources such as the book “Toko and His Pepeha Troubles” and the blog posts on this site (www.digitaliwi.com) provide practical tools for understanding and teaching pēpeha in a way that is far more accurate and appropriate than the outdated one-size-fits-all approach.

Final Thought: Learning is a Treaty Obligation

Learning about pēpeha is not just about gaining knowledge - it is about acquiring a practice that connects us to one another and to the cultural foundation of Aotearoa. Through proper use of pēpeha whakarite and the respectful teaching of pēpeha urutau to Tāngata Tiriti, teachers honour Te Tiriti, support Māori aspirations, and nurture a classroom culture rooted in mutual respect.

He Karakia Mahi | A Call to Action

Me tīmata tātou ki te pepeha. Me tika te mahi.

Let’s start with pēpeha. Let’s get it right.