Te Ara Reo Māori (He Pī ka Pao) - Classroom

If you want to learn some basic Māori language, this is the perfect place to start. Whether you want to use te reo Māori at home with the kids or in the workplace, this interactive programme will have you speaking with confidence in no time.

You’ll start with how to correctly pronounce Māori words, names and place names. We’ll teach you basic greetings and how to introduce yourself, as well as how to understand and follow tikanga (protocols). Our kaiako are experienced with teaching beginners, and you’ll be with other tauira (students) who have the same aspirations to learn our indigenous language.

Te Ara Reo Māori has become a part of the educational landscape of Aotearoa. Past graduates have been newsreaders, public figures, teachers, school principals and business people - many who have advanced to higher levels of study in te reo Māori.

When you pass this programme, you'll get these qualifications:

• Te Pōkaitahi Reo (Reo Rua) Kaupae 1 - New Zealand Certificate in Te Reo (Reo Rua) Level 1 
• Te Pōkaitahi Reo (Reo Rua) Kaupae 2 - New Zealand Certificate in Te Reo (Reo Rua) Level 2

• pronouncing Māori words, names and place names
• using basic greetings and introducing yourself
• understanding and following tikanga (protocols)
• performing waiata (songs)
• using Māori words with confidence
• understanding basic sentence structures

Level 1

• use te reo Māori vocabulary and grammatical structures at a basic level, as an expression of mana tangata
• use te reo at a basic level to talk about themselves and their own connections to the land and the environment, as an expression of mana whenua
• apply technical knowledge of basic reo to everyday use, and develop respect for te reo, as an expression of mana reo
• use te reo at a basic level to achieve tasks in familiar contexts, as an expression of mana ao tūroa

This foundation qualification is intended for learners who have minimal command of te reo, as an additional language.  It is also intended for those who have a desire to contribute positively to the development of te reo kia tika, kia rere, kia Māori, or who have a personal and/or professional interest in te reo Māori.

Graduates will have the basic language skills required to communicate in te reo, with support, in familiar everyday contexts.

Level 2

• use te reo Māori vocabulary and grammatical structures at a foundation level, as an expression of mana tangata
• use foundation-level reo Māori to express connections to the land and the environment, prominent places and people of the area, as an expression of mana whenua
• apply technical knowledge of foundation-level reo Māori in selected contexts, and develop an emerging respect for te reo, as an expression of mana reo
• use foundation-level reo Māori to achieve tasks in specified contexts, as an expression of mana ao tūroa

This qualification is intended for learners who have a basic understanding and ability in the use of te reo Māori.  It is also for those who have a desire to contribute positively to the development of te reo kia tika, kia rere, kia Māori, or have a personal and/or professional interest in te reo Māori.

Graduates will have the language skills required to communicate, with little support, in familiar everyday contexts, and in Māori environments where they feel comfortable.

This is a full-time programme that consists of 120 credits delivered over 38 weeks. Throughout the programme you will be required to attend:

• 1 x 3-hour class per week
• 2 x noho marae (26 hours each)
• 4 x 1-day wānanga (8 hours each)

Your kaiako will confirm the dates and venues for your noho marae/1-day wānanga.

You’ll be expected to complete activities outside of class time via our Akorau learning platform for approximately:

• 28 hours per week

You'll need to have access to an internet-connected device for this programme.

To enrol in this programme, a potential student must be:

• be at least 16 years of age
• be a New Zealand citizen (or citizen of Australia, Tokelau, Niue, Cook Islands) or permanent resident
• reside in New Zealand
• have little or no knowledge of te reo Māori
• attend an information session with a kaiako

Take this to the next level with Te Ara Reo Māori Level 4, or dive into total immersion with Te Pūtaketanga o te Reo.

Your reo Māori skills will be useful in everyday life in Aotearoa. They'll also be great if you work in education, Māori organisations, media or anywhere you deal with the public.

Aotearoa | 15 Credits

This kōnae ako (learning module) introduces tauira (students) to the pronunciation of Māori words and sounds. This then enables tauira to progress to informal greetings and farewells. Tauira are also provided with background information as to the teaching methodology of Ako Whakatere so learners can identify their own learning styles.   

Wāhi | 15 Credits

This kōnae ako introduces tauira to the location of objects, people, and places. Once this is achieved, tauira then have the opportunity to follow and give some basic instructions.   

Mahi Ngahau | 15 Credits

This kōnae ako introduces tauira to appropriate tense markers to talk about action and statives. Tauira will then ask and answer questions about the cost of something.  

He Tikanga Marae | 15 Credits

This kōnae ako introduces tauira to the various parts of the marae complex and the key roles of people. Tauira are then given the opportunity to engage in conversational Māori on this subject. 

Whakapapa | 15 Credits

This kōnae ako introduces tauira to introduce themselves in a formal and informal setting using family relationships. It also introduces tauira to understanding and using numbers. Tauira will be able to follow and give some basic instructions.  

Te Wā | 15 Credits

This kōnae ako introduces tauira to the language of time, days of the week, months, seasons of the year and dates.

Haerenga | 15 Credits

This kōnae ako introduces the language of travel and holidays, and gives tauira the opportunity to engage in conversational Māori about the purpose of travel and/or holiday. 

Tangata Rongonui | 15 Credits

This kōnae ako introduces tauira to the language of the third person. Tauira then will be able to display confidence and competency when speaking in te reo Māori.