Mau Rākau - Māori Martial Arts

Mau Rākau is a traditional Māori martial art and this unique programme gives you the opportunity to learn the ancestral practices, values and protocols of the warrior.

You'll learn about Māori culture and traditions, gain new skills and get fit. Have fun in an inclusive learning environment while you develop a specialised skill set, and help to preserve the rich culture and art of the warrior.

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

• New Zealand Certificate in Ngā Toi Level 4 (Mau Rākau)

• Māori weaponry
• sport, games and training exercises of the toa
• whakapapa (genealogy) and pepeha
• karakia 
• Māori weaponry strikes 
• knowledge, tikanga and values of the toa 
• stances, positions, strikes, body movements, facial expressions, blocks, counters and engagement  

This is a full-time programme that consists of 120 credits delivered over 38 weeks. Some of our locations offer different delivery modes. These will be confirmed by your local campus and might include:

Option 1 (Face-to-face delivery)

• kura whakaako - compulsory tutorials (10 hours per week)
• 9 x 1-day wānanga (10 hours per wānanga)

You'll need to also complete learning activities designed to enhance your learning for approximately:

• 21 hours per week

Option 2 (Noho delivery)

• 10 x noho marae (25 hours per noho)
• kura whakaako - compulsory tutorials (5 hours per week)
• 2 x 1-day wānanga (10 hours per wānanga)

Activity directed learning will also need to be completed outside of class time, amounting to:

• approximately 21 hours per week

Some of the learning activities will need to be completed online. You'll need to have access to an internet connected device for this programme.

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
• attend an interview and selection process to demonstrate suitability to the programme

Download factsheet

Apply to enrol on Toi Paematua - Diploma in Māori and Indigenous Art, to advance your skill set and knowledge in Mau Rākau.

With skills at this level you can share what you know with your whānau, hapū and iwi. Teach classes on your marae, in the community or at schools and kura.