Award-winning children’s entertainer Miss Nicky Says has launched a new musical project encouraging tamariki to learn their pepeha, celebrate their identity and strengthen their connection to te reo Māori and whakapapa.
The first waiata from the six-part project, Do You Know Your Pepeha?, was released on YouTube and major streaming platforms on Saturday, marking the beginning of a new educational series designed to make learning pepeha fun, engaging and accessible for children and their whānau.
Created by Nicolla Hemi-Morehouse of Ngāti Koata and Ngāti Toa, the kaupapa was inspired by a desire to help tamariki feel proud of who they are and where they come from.
The project introduces children to the key elements of a pepeha, including maunga, awa, roto, moana, waka, whānau and their own name, helping them understand how these connections tell the story of their identity and ancestry.
The waiata is accompanied by a colourful and interactive music video featuring Troggg from Larrikin Puppets, continuing the playful educational style that has become synonymous with Miss Nicky Says.
Hemi-Morehouse says the project is designed to help children feel visible, connected and proud of their reo and culture while strengthening their understanding of the stories handed down through generations.
Supporting the project is Mātanga Reo Justin Kereama of Ngāi Tūhoe, who worked alongside Hemi-Morehouse to ensure the educational content reflects strong foundations in mātauranga Māori and language revitalisation.
Kereama says the project provides a contemporary approach to teaching waiata and te reo Māori, helping not only tamariki across Aotearoa but also Māori families living overseas remain connected to their language and identity.
The wider Pepeha project will unfold across six waiata and accompanying videos released throughout June and July, with each focusing on a different component of pepeha and building children’s confidence in sharing who they are.
The series will culminate in a 20-minute Pepeha special, scheduled for release on 7 August, bringing together all elements of the project into a single educational programme for tamariki and whānau.
Supported by NZ On Air, the initiative reflects a growing commitment to creating high-quality Māori educational content that strengthens language revitalisation while celebrating whakapapa, identity and belonging through music and storytelling.
With catchy melodies, colourful characters and kaupapa grounded in te ao Māori, Do You Know Your Pepeha? aims to ensure the next generation grows up knowing not only their names, but also the stories that connect them to their tūpuna and the whenua they call home.
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