Our tūpuna (ancestors) had beautiful child rearing practices and many of these can be effective today.
Pēpi Penapena (Cherish Babies) is a campaign to share the beautiful parenting practices of our tūpuna. Pre-colonisation, Māori were gentle and supportive parents and whānau. Pēpi were considered a gift from the atua (gods) so were tapu (sacred) and not to be harmed. Pēpi are also born with the mana of their tūpuna, meaning they were treated with respect, as any adult would be.
Latest Posts
We write about traditional Māori parenting kaupapa, modern parenting practices, and useful tips and tricks for anyone with babies and kids.
Our Tūpuna (Ancestors) Followed Lessons from Pūrākau Pūrākau, or Māori ‘myths and legends’, as they’re commonly…
Liz HarteDecember 6, 2018
It's Babywearing Month Aotearoa! October is Babywearing Month for Aotearoa - Our tūpuna definitely would've…
Liz HarteOctober 4, 2018
If our tūpuna with their positive child rearing ideas were here today, they would use…
Liz HarteSeptember 28, 2018
Updated 03/11/2018: We've now included the beautiful oriori, Tuituia, by the very talented Hamuera and…
Liz HarteSeptember 21, 2018
Our tūpuna/ancestors had 4 key traditions they would do for every baby born and you…
Liz HarteSeptember 11, 2018
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