Wānanga iReo
Te Arawai
–
Online
$299 NZD incl GST
Duration: 2 days
When: Saturday 12 September 2026 & Sunday, 13 September 2026, 9:30AM NZT - 6:00PM NZT
Where: Join us online via Zoom from anywhere in Aotearoa or Australia
Register today!
Places are limited to 60 participants to help create an interactive and connected learning experience.
If you'd like to join us, we encourage you to register early to avoid missing out.
Event Overview
Join us for a two-day online wānanga celebrating te reo Māori, connection, and community – the foundations of our iReo programmes.
Over two days you'll build your confidence through practical learning, hear from inspiring guest speakers, and connect with others from across Aotearoa and Australia who are beginning or continuing their own reo journey.
Whether you're beginning your reo journey, reconnecting with your culture, or simply looking for a place to learn alongside others, this wānanga is designed to help you take that step with confidence.
What you'll experience
Over two days you'll enjoy a mix of:
Interactive te reo Māori learning
Inspiring guest speakers, including Lyndsay Te Puaheiri Snowden
Group discussions and activities
Opportunities to connect with people across Aotearoa and Australia
A welcoming, supportive learning environment
You'll leave with new knowledge, new connections, and a clear understanding of how you can continue your reo journey with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
Meet your facilitators
Genae Thompson
Genae Thompson (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) is the Managing Director and Principal Consultant of Poutawa. She is an experienced te reo Māori educator, curriculum designer and cultural capability facilitator who has worked with adult professionals across education, health, government and community settings.
As an adult second-language learner of te reo Māori herself, Genae understands the challenges, vulnerabilities and
breakthroughs that shape the adult learning journey.
Tahau Thompson
Tahau Thompson (Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāpuhi) is a Lead Consultant and senior facilitator with Poutawa. A native speaker of te reo Māori and a graduate of Te Panekiretanga o Te Reo Māori, Tahau is an experienced tertiary lecturer, Kaiako, kapa haka practitioner and curriculum developer.
Guest speakers
Lyndsay Te Puaheiri Snowden
Ngāpuhi, Te Roroa, Ngāti Wai
Te Puaheiri is Team Lead of Te Pākaiahi, supporting and strengthening cultural capability across Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Aa an advocate for te reo Māori, Te Puaheiri is particularly committed to supporting those taking their first steps in reclaiming and learning the language. As one-third of the trio behind the Taringa Podcast, he has used the platform to encourage, empower and challenge the thinking of people on their own reo Māori journey.
His work in Māori media has also included the television series Nanakia, and most recently the big screen as the reo Māori voice of Tonki (Donkey) in Shrek – Te Reo Māori.
A second-language learner himself, Te Puaheiri began his reo Māori journey during his time at Tīpene (St Stephen’s School) and is an Ika-ā-Whiro of Te Panekiretanga o te Reo Māori.
Tegan Yorwarth
Introducing Tegan – the captivating voice that has been electrifying the airwaves of Aotearoa with her infectious energy. She’s been a radio host on Mai FM for the last 8 years, and a now a storyteller everywhere else you can find her.
She's solidified herself as a multifaceted media broadcaster/media professional, with experience that scans across all mediums. And this year, she's also a tauira with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa studying te reo Māori.
Continue your journey with iReo
For many people, Wānanga iReo will be the beginning of something bigger.
During the wānanga you'll hear about iReo, the online te reo Māori learning pathway from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
Originally developed for people living outside Aotearoa, iReo has also become a popular option for workplaces and organisations wanting accessible, short-form reo Māori learning, as well as individuals looking to refresh their skills before progressing into more formal study.
Whether you're revising the basics, refreshing your confidence, or looking for flexible learning that fits around your busy life, iReo offers a pathway that meets you where you are.
With practical online learning, support from dedicated kaiāwhina, and an online learning community, iReo makes it easy to keep building your confidence in te reo Māori at your own pace.
