Making tikanga the everyday norm
The practice and values of tikanga is relevant in our everyday lives and isn’t something just to be kept on the marae.
That is a belief held by many, and kaiako (teacher) Ngapaki Moetara hopes to teach tauira (students) that lesson and show them just how important tikanga is in everyday life.
“Tikanga is the foundation of a person. Tikanga helps guide people and translate their identity into what they create,” she says.
Ngapaki is in her second year of teaching tikanga and this year will offer the Certificate in Tikanga (Mātauranga Māori) Level 4 at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Whirikoka campus in Gisborne.
Even though tikanga is a traditional Māori practice and based on Māori values, Ngapaki hopes to see people from all cultures and backgrounds learn and embrace it.
“Tikanga helps to connect people with their identity, whether that be as Māori or any culture. It applies to our daily lives and work.”
With a background in performing arts and directing, Ngapaki bases alot of her teaching around the art of story telling.
“For me, the most powerful work is approached with an indigenous lens. I don’t mean the content or the people but rather the process of making”, says Ngapaki who has a Masters in Directing and Theatre.
Ngapaki says Gisborne is rich in Māori culture and resource and that it’s very evident in the towns local and surrounding marae.
But she hopes to draw out those resources and lessen the idea that tikanga is a traditional practice only kept inside the grounds of the marae.
“Our rohe (regions) across Aotearoa are rich in tikanga and kawa practices. There’s alot of richness here in Gisborne that plays itself out on the marae. In terms of tikanga there are people who live it and breath it but now we need to carry that into our workplaces and wherever we go.”
For Ngapaki, drawing out the best in each of her tauira and getting them to a place where they feel comfortable and confident in te ao Māori is a teaching highlight.
“I believe I generate a safe environment to learn but also make mistakes. That’s the best place to feel a bit vulnerable, is in a learning environment.”
“Tauira will get the chance to spend a year on something they want to move towards performance wise. Tikanga will be the guide. It will be an amazing journey of growth for all.”
Find out more about our Tikanga Māori and Indigenous Development programmes.
Pūrongo whakahirahira
Featured stories
Cambridge Museum project guided by wānanga tikanga studies
Cambridge Museum manager, Elizabeth Harvey, is combining her tikanga studies at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa with her passion for local history, to support the museum’s Voices of Cambridge project.
Wānanga launches first of their kind mātauranga Māori certificates, marking a new era for Indigenous knowledge education
Responding to the growing needs and aspirations of tauira, iwi and communities, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa is breaking new ground with the launch of 2 new Level 4 certificates that will be the first standalone programmes of their kind in Aotearoa.
Learning tikanga to strengthen community work
After making the move to Aotearoa in 2014 from Germany, Almaz Bergz set out to gain a better understanding of the people, whenua, and culture that shape life here.
Thriving as a kaiako after He Korowai Ākonga
When Marlena Martin began her studies in He Korowai Ākonga – Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) in 2023, she never imagined where it would take her and how much she would grow as an individual.
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa launches new international reo Māori learning
iReo is a flexible, self-directed, online short course made up of 5 standalone modules, each running over 6 weeks. Learners can study at their own pace, weaving te reo Māori into everyday life alongside work, whānau, and other commitments.
Wānanga business programme helps launch The Dog Nanny
Ōtautahi local Jane Dungey turned her passion for animals into The Dog Nanny after completing the Certificate in Small Business at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
From closed doors to open pathways
After the closure of Grace Foundation Whanganui, Craig Kara used his Manaaki Tāngata studies at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa to create Te Ara Kimihia, a kaupapa supporting tāne toward positive futures. His journey of healing, leadership, and transformation now inspires others to find their own pathway forward.
Governance grounded in te ao Māori for future generations
Discover how Māori governance grounded in te ao Māori is shaping future generations. Learn about Manu Taiko – Toro Parirau, a unique programme at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa that empowers whānau with tikanga-based leadership and decision-making skills.
Companion of Te Apārangi, Champion of Te Reo Māori
Te Rita Papesch, musician, educator, and kapa haka stalwart, has been inducted as a Companion of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. Discover her inspiring journey of music, haka, and te reo Māori, and how her lifelong dedication to Māori culture shaped generations.
Keil Caskey – former tauira, now kaiako
Keil Caskey’s journey from tauira to kaiako at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa shows the transformative power of toi Māori education. Discover how his passion for taonga pūoro and commitment to whānau and whakapapa inspired him to teach and give back to his community.
Building confidence, careers, and culture through Māori performing arts
Discover how Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Certificate in Māori Performing Arts goes beyond kapa haka, empowering tauira with skills in drama, screen acting, and public speaking. Hear how graduates like Niquita Samuel are building confidence, careers, and cultural pride.
Making connections between media and Māoritanga
Lizzie Dunn created Te Arawhata to help people reconnect with te ao Māori through media, resources, and kōrero. Discover how her reo journey and passion for sharing knowledge are inspiring thousands to embrace Māoritanga and strengthen cultural connections.