Certificate in Waka

Follow the nautical traditions of our ancestors as you develop confidence and skills in tikanga waka. Learn the history and maritime practices that made Māori legendary seafarers.

This programme is for people who want to gain knowledge in practical waka ama and waka kōpapa (shallow hull) skills, water safety, waka types, history and traditions, tikanga Māori and whakapapa.

When you pass this programme, you'll get this qualification:

• Te Pōkaitahi Tikanga (Waka) Kaupae 4 - New Zealand Certificate in Tikanga (Waka) Level 4

• Māori nautical history
• traditional and contemporary waka
• waka construction
• weather interpretation
• Coastguard Boating Education Day Skipper qualification
• tikanga, karakia and waiata
• water survival competency
• event management
• health and nutrition

• apply and integrate a broad range of tikanga concepts and practices, as an expression of mana ao tūroa
• use a broad range of reo structures and tikanga practice, to enhance mana reo
• apply theoretical knowledge of tikanga concepts to form and affirm relationships between people and the physical world, as an expression of mana whenua
• reflect on and evaluate own practice of tikanga, to identify and self-manage strengths and weaknesses, as an expression of mana tangata

This qualification is for people who wish to develop a broad range of tikanga within a specialist field, founded on a Māori world view.

Graduates of this qualification will have a broad range of knowledge and skills to support and participate in tikanga practice, under broad guidance.

Graduates of this qualification will be able to take responsibility for their own learning and performance, and will be able to apply knowledge fundamental to tikanga practice, within a chosen field of work, or study, and across the community in general.

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 kura whakaako - compulsory classes (3 hours per week)
• 8 x noho marae (23 hours per noho)
• 2 x 1-day wānanga (9 hours per wānanga)

In addition to these, you’ll be expected to complete learning activities designed to enhance your learning for:

• approximately 25 hours per week.

Tauira will need to engage in the Te Wānanga o Aotearoa digital platform I-Akoranga throughout the programme. Internet access and a digital device is needed to enhance the tauira learning experience.

In some locations this programme may be provided by an approved sub-contract arrangement.

To enrol in this programme, a potential student must:

• 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
• either be a graduate of a Level 2 or Level 3 qualification (or equivalent) or demonstrate competence in a numeracy and literacy exercise that reflects the comprehension, writing and numerical abilities for the programme
• be made aware, at point of enrolment, of the need to complete the water survival competency test
• complete an HS40 Medical Information form

You'll be able to enrol in our Diploma in Waka Level 5. Or you may want to move into other study with sport, rongoā Māori or mātauranga Māori. You can also apply for our Diploma in Waka programme.

You could seek opportunities in tourism, hospitality and retail, education and horticulture. You could also assist whānau Māori, communities, local and regional bodies and agencies wanting to broaden their knowledge base in kaupapa Māori.

Mana Tangata | 30 Credits

Reflect on tikanga to self-manage hauora as an expression of mana tangata. Reflect on and evaluate own practice of taha wairua, taha tinana, taha hinengaro, and taha whānau as an expression of mana tangata. 

Mana Whenua | 30 Credits

Rangahau traditional and contemporary waka and iwi that affiliate to them in terms of tikanga-ā-iwi as an expression of mana whenua. Demonstrate knowledge of traditional and contemporary waka Māori usage as an expression of mana whenua. Demonstrate knowledge and ability to use water safety practices as an expression of mana whenua. Apply broad theoretical knowledge and concepts relating to weather as an expression of mana whenua.  

Mana Ora | 30 Credits

Demonstrate knowledge of tikanga practices to enhance mana reo. Demonstrate knowledge of mana reo within tikanga-ā-wai waka practices. Demonstrate knowledge of mana reo in relation to tikanga-ā-whenua waka practices. Demonstrate reflective practice in relation to tikanga and participation in waka practices. 

Mana Ao Tūroa | 30 Credits

Apply and integrate a broad range of tikanga concepts to achieve NZ Coastguards’ Day Skippers standards as an expression of mana ao tūroa. Apply tikanga practices to use waka as an expression of mana ao tūroa. Apply and integrate a broad range of tikanga concepts and practices to hoe waka as an expression of mana ao tūroa. Demonstrate ability to plan and participate in waka Wānanga as an expression of mana ao tūroa.