Pepeha

A pepeha is a traditional oral recitation given by a person when introducing themselves in the Māori culture of New Zealand. It is often part of a formal greeting or mihi.
A pepeha is given in the form of a list, telling a story of a person's connection with the land and with the people on it, a reflection of the Māori people's name for themselves: tangata whenua. Pepeha are often given on formal occasions, such as at a hui. It is possible for one person to have more than one pepeha, especially if they are linked to more than one iwi.

Typical format

Most pepeha follow a ritual format, starting with a greeting, then listing personal connections to the land — a personal mountain and river — before listing iwi affiliation, family, place of residence, and name.
A typical pepeha may take the following form. This pepeha is for a person called Tīpene, from the Kāi Tahu iwi and living in Dunedin :

Use by non-Māori

While the use of a standard pepeha by Pākehā and other non-Māori is acceptable, some authorities suggest an amended form of the pepeha in those instances where one is needed. One such formulation begins with the greeting, followed by " is my ancestry, but is where I grew up", followed by the usual formulation.