Whirikoka Campus
Gisborne
Campus
630 Childers Road, Elgin, Gisborne 4010
Whirikoka
Te Tairāwhiti connection
Our campus carries the name Whirikoka, gifted by Reverend Eru Smith to honour the tīpuna Whirikoka. His story, symbolised by a loyal kekeno (seal), speaks of resilience, connection, and kaitiakitanga – values that continue to guide us today.
This whenua also holds the story of the Horouta waka. In 1350, captain Pāoa sought sacred tōtara at Maungahaumi, carried with the help of the Patu Paiarehe from Mangatū, linking this land forever with Horouta.
Whirikoka Campus continues these legacies. We are a place of knowledge, strength, and whānau transformation, where education empowers tauira and ensures the vision of our tūpuna lives on.
Ngā whare me ngā ratonga
Facilities and support services
Our campus offers comfortable and accessible spaces designed to support your learning.
Our reception is open from 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
We offer:
Student support services, including academic help and wellbeing support (by appointment)
Learning spaces that support your studies
Computer lab
Kitchenette for tauira use
Convenient parking with mobility access
Free Wi-Fi
An onsite early learning centre Whare Āmai for tamariki (separate enrolment required)
A vibrant toi collection showcasing the creativity of our tauira, kaimahi, and community
Please note: We are closed on statutory holidays and weekends.
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
630 Childers Road, Elgin, Gisborne 4010
Ngā hōtaka i konei
Programmes here
-
Te Reo Māori
Programmes here
Show 4 programmes -
Te Tirohanga Māori
Programmes here
Show 4 programmes -
Pakihi
Programmes here
Show 4 programmes -
Ratonga Pāpori
Programmes here
Show 1 programme -
Ngā Mahi ā te Whare Pora | Raranga
Programmes here
Show 1 programme -
Ārahi Kaupapa
Programmes here
Show 4 programme
Kaupapa anamata
Upcoming events
Pitopito kōrero o te wā
Latest news
A teacher’s path to understanding tikanga
Originally from South Africa, Franda Zondagh has called Aotearoa home since 2003, but it was through studying He Papa Tikanga with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa that she began to feel a deeper connection to the place she lives and people she serves in her mahi.
Leading by example and learning te reo Māori
Liisa Wharepapa’s (Te Whānau ā Apanui) journey with te reo Māori wasn’t something that happened overnight, it was a goal waiting to be pursued until the moment she felt ready to take that step.
Returning home and reclaiming te reo Māori
After many years away building his professional career, Logan Bertram (Whakatōhea), returned home to Ōpōtiki with a clear goal of reconnecting with his whakapapa and creating a better future for his young whānau.
A teaching journey shaped by whānau
The journey to becoming a teacher was not a straight line for Nimai Fraser‑Eccleston, it was shaped by whānau, lived experience and his desire to create a meaningful life for his tamariki.
Governance grounded in te ao Māori
When the opportunity came up to study Manu Taiko, New Zealand Certificate in Māori Governance, at the Ngāmotu (New Plymouth) campus of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Paora Rauputu didn’t hesitate to enrol.
Flexible study supports Cromwell business owner
Based in Cromwell, Sam Taylor needed flexibility to balance work, study and build his business, and found exactly that through the online Certificate in Small Business at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
Turning point inspires commitment to change, community, and career
In 2024, Bryce Marsh faced a major turning point in life that led to him studying Manaaki Tangata at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, setting him on a path of healing, self-discovery and a desire to give back to his community.
A whānau journey of learning at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
Studying at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa wasn’t just a personal journey for Tania Dargaville (Te Rarawa). It became a whānau journey, shared alongside her sister and son, learning, growing and now graduating together.
Creating second chances for rangatahi
Kaimahi working in Youth Engagement Services at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa play a vital role in empowering rangatahi to discover who they are, build practical skills, and shape futures that feel right for them.
Wānanga study supports career shift into social services
When COVID-19 hit, it changed the direction of Dee Clark’s life. At the time, she was working in airport security as a behavior analyst, but the impacts of COVID-19 caused her role to change and so did her sense of purpose.
