New Māori-Led Kids Series Explores Identity From Above

A new children’s series airing this Sunday <<20 July>> is giving tamariki the chance to take the pilot’s seat, using drone technology to share stories about their identity and whakapapa from above.

Fly My Pepeha is bringing together te reo Māori, drone technology, and tamariki-led storytelling in a fresh, innovative format.

Produced by Rotorua-based Natives On Screen, the 10-part, 10-minute digital series features different tamariki in each episode, sharing stories of their whānau, iwi, marae, maunga, awa, and rohe.

Fly My Pepeha is the first of its kind globally to use FPV (First Person View) drone technology in a children’s show. It is spoken entirely in te reo Māori, with English subtitles.

The series is also being translated into Mandarin and Spanish, opening up educational and cultural connection opportunities for reo Māori-speaking rangatahi.

Natives On Screen Producer, Lilly Jordan, says the series is a bold step forward in combining indigenous storytelling with cutting-edge technology.

“We’re pushing the boundaries of what kids’ content can look like, not just in Aotearoa but worldwide.

“Giving tamariki the space to lead, speak in their own reo, and be seen from their perspective, is a powerful shift in how we reflect their lives on-screen.”

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Jordan says it is the first time drone technology and pepeha have been used in this way to help tamariki share their stories with viewers.

“Visually speaking, it’s an exciting and accessible format, but more significantly, it is deeply rooted in who we are and our whakapapa.”

Shot across locations including Rotorua, Taupō, Tauranga Moana, Ōpape, Rotoiti, Morrinsville, and Te Tairāwhiti, the use of FPV drones helps capture the landscape from a tamariki perspective, bringing a unique sense of immersion to each episode.

Behind the scenes, the production was led by a Māori creative team and developed in close collaboration with local communities.

Jordan says tamariki were involved throughout the process, from voiceovers to on-ground filming, making the series a genuine reflection of their experiences, thoughts, and outlook.

“We wanted to make something that felt empowering for our kids. They’re not just on screen, they’re the ones who are shaping the story. It’s their pepeha, their whenua, their voice.”

Fly My Pepeha premieres this Sunday, 21 July on the Māori+ app, and will screen weekly on Whakaata Māori every Monday at 7.50am.

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