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Mihimihi.
A "mihimihi" is a customary Māori greeting used to introduce yourself, express connections to people and places, and acknowledge your heritage. It is a formal way of greeting and is commonly used in formal settings like meetings to establish connections and show respect for the attendees present.
The sharing of a mihimihi can promote a sense of community and connection through its structure and content.
Basic mihimihi structure.
Greeting
Tēnā koutou katoa
Kia ora
Local iwi
He mihi ki te iwi e tau nei, ＿＿＿ tēnā koutou.
Who you are
Ko ______ ahau.
Nō ______ ahau.
Conclusion
Nō reira, tēnā koutou kātoa.
As a beginner, mihimihi can be challenging to determine the appropriate time, place, and manner in which to do so. Therefore, it is recommended that you begin with a basic mihimihi and gradually incorporate additional words as you become more confident in the use of te reo Māori.
Pepeha.
Pepeha is a way to introduce yourself by sharing your heritage. It is typically presented as part of your mihimihi in formal settings. Knowing your pepeha is crucial to introducing yourself appropriately.
Here are some examples of how you can set out your pepeha.
Formal mihimihi structure.
Greeting
-
Tēnā koutou katoa
-
Greetings to you all.
Who you are
-
(Pepeha)
-
(Say your own pepha).
Local iwi
-
Kei te mihi ki a ____, ki te mana whenua, tēnā koutou.
-
To the local iwi, to _____, I acknowledge and thank you.
People
-
Ki a tātou e noho nei, tēnā koutou.
-
To everyone that is here today, greeting
Closing
-
Nō reira tēnā koutou katoa.
-
Thank you all.
Greeting examples.
Tēnā koe - (Greeting to one)
Tēnā kōrua - (Greeting to two)
Tēnā koutou - (Greeting to three or more)
E ngā mana, e ngā reo, tēnā koutou katoa - (To the authorities, to the many voices, I greet you all)
Kei aku nui, kei aku rahi, tēnā koutou katoa - (To those I hold above myself, I greet you all)
Time specific
Mōrena - (Good morning -informal)
Ata mārie - (Good morning -formal)
Ngā mihi o te ata - (Morning greetings -formal)
Ngā mihi o te rā - (Day greetings -formal)
Ahiahi mārie - (Good afternoon)
Ngā mihi o te pō - (Evening greetings -formal)
Introducing yourself examples.
I tipu ake au i _____ - (I grew up in ______). Eg. I tipu ake au i Kirikiriroa - I grew up in Hamilton.
Kei ____ au e noho ana - (I am living in ______). Eg. Kei Tamaki au e noho ana - I am living in Aucklamd.
Nō _____ ōku mātua - (My parents are from _____). Eg. Nō Ingarangi ōku mātua - My parents are from England.
Ko _____ tōku ingoa whānau - (My last name is _____). Eh. Ko Edwards tōku ingoa whānau - My last name is Edwards.
Tēnei au e mihi ana (This is me thanking you).
Acknowledging the local iwi examples.
Ki te mana whenua o te rohe nei, _____, tēnā koutou - (To the local iwi, greetings to you all)
He mihi tēnei ki te iwi kāinga, ki a _____, tēnā koutou - (Thank you to the local iwi, to ____, thank you)
Ki a _____, te mana whenua e tiaki nei i a mātou, tēnā koutou - (To _____, the local iwi taking care of us, thank you)
Acknowledging the people around.
You can acknowledge your peers, leaders, teachers or visitors in the hui.
E te whānau e noho nei, tēnā koutou - (To you all that are here, greetings).
E ngā rangatira o tēnei kaupapa, tēnā koutou - (To the leaders of this agenda, greetings).
E ōku hoa [kaiako pitomata], tēnā koutou - (To my [student teacher] peers, greetings).
E te manawa tītī, tēnā koe - (To the person of great stamina, greetings).
Ki a koutou ngā amo tītoki, tēnā koutou - (To you all who are always supportive, thank you and greetings).
Ki ngā manuhiri, nau mai, haere mai - (To the visitors, welcome).
Closing examples.
Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā kouto katoa - (Therefore, greetings to you all x3).
Ka waiho mai ēnei kupu iti hei kōrero I te aroha nui, tēnā koutou katoa - (I will end my small but humble speech to express my affection, thank you).
Kāti ake i konei, tēnā koutou katoa - (I will end my speech here, thank you all).
Greeting
Tēnā koutou katoa
Greetings to you all.
Who you are
Ko _____ ahau.
Nō _____ ahau.
I am ______.
I am from ______.
Closing
Nō reira tēnā koutou katoa.
Thank you all.
Reference list:
Mihi - Introductions. (n.d.). University of Otago. https://www.otago.ac.nz/maori/world/te-reo-maori/mihi-introductions#:~:text=Mihimihi%20%E2%80%93%20Introductions%2FSpeeches,%E2%80%93%20or%20mihimihi%20%E2%80%93%20usually%20occurs.
Finding a place to belong: On being Pākehā. (2023). Aura Wellbeing. https://www.aurawellbeing.co.nz/post/finding-a-place-to-belong-on-being-p%C4%81keh%C4%81