Certificate in Tākaro, Sport and Exercise

Take the first steps towards a career in the fitness industry as a professional fitness coach, instructor, or personal trainer.

Tākaro, Sport and Exercise combines two qualifications into one programme: the Certificate in Exercise and the Certificate in Sport and Recreation.

As well as maintaining your fitness and learning how to assist others with their fitness goals, what makes our programme different is it's taught in a wānanga where you'll learn a range of ngā taonga tākaro - traditional Māori games.

When you graduate, you'll be eligible to register with the New Zealand Register of Exercise Professionals.

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

• New Zealand Certificate in Exercise Level 4
• New Zealand Certificate in Sport and Recreation Level 4

• how to build and deliver safe and effective exercise programmes
• anatomy and physiology and how to use that knowledge in an exercise programme
• health and wellness frameworks and evidence-based nutrition
• planning and evaluating a group sport or recreation programme
• motivational and communication techniques for coaching and training practice

This is a full-time programme that consists of 120 credits delivered over 38 weeks. Throughout the programme you'll need to attend:

• 4 x 5-hour kura whakaako - compulsory classes each week
• 1 x noho (25 hours)

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

• 13 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.

To enrol in this programme, you 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
• attend an interview

Download factsheet

To progress your studies in sports and fitness you might want to consider a Level 5 qualification with another tertiary provider.

You could work in roles such as: an exercise consultant, community exercise instructor, team training instructor, or personal trainer. You could also go into paid work or be in a voluntary role in programme delivery and coordination roles in sport and recreation.

The 2022 fee for this programme is: 

$878.00 GST Inclusive 

Are you eligible for fees-free study?

First-time tertiary students studying fee paying programmes might be able to study fee free. Find out if you're eligible at feesfree.govt.nz.