Close up of hands playing an acoustic guitar.

Kāwai Raupapa

Māori Performing Arts

No fees
In class
Hands-on
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa_Māori Performing Arts_Kāwai Raupapa

Tirohanga whānui

Express yourself through performance

Bring your voice, movement, and energy to life through Māori Performing Arts. This programme is designed for aspiring performers who want to grow their skills, confidence, and connection to te ao Māori.

You’ll explore voice, sound, and movement as powerful tools for expression while learning how to plan, produce, and perform in a range of Māori Performing Arts settings. Guided by experienced kaiako, you’ll deepen your understanding of tikanga, waiata, haka, and performance as a way to share stories, identity, and culture.

He aha tāu ka whiwhi?

Skills you'll leave with

Completing this programme means you’ll be able to:

  • Apply performance and creative techniques in Māori Performing Arts

  • Explore and compare different performance styles to develop your own

  • Plan and complete Māori Performing Arts projects and performances

  • Manage your time and responsibilities to bring performances to life

Mā te mahi ka ako

Learn by doing

You will get to:

  • Build your performance skills through regular rehearsals

  • Be involved in planning and producing performances

  • Practice managing your time and projects

  • Connect and collaborate with other tauira

  • Carry out research to inform your work

Ngā ara e wātea ana

Where will this take me?

On completion, you'll have the skills to:

Keep studying
Progress into Toi Paematua: Diploma of Māori and Indigenous Art (Māori Performing Arts) (Level 5).

Use at work
Graduates may perform with kapa haka groups, work in theatre or creative industries, or support community and cultural performances.

Community involvement
Share Māori Performing Arts knowledge through teaching, mentoring, or community initiatives that celebrate te ao Māori.

He meka

Quick facts

  • Level 4 (Intermediate)
  • 120 Credits
  • 38 Weeks
  • NZ Certificate in Ngā Toi Level 4
  • No fees
  • NZQA Accredited

Paearu whakauru

Entry criteria

You can enrol if you: 

  • Are 16 years or older 

  • Are a NZ citizen or resident (includes Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau) or Australian citizen/permanent resident 

  • Currently reside in New Zealand 

  • Submit a short creative portfolio

  • Take part in an interview and selection process to show your readiness for the programme

Te wā

Time commitment

This programme is:  

  • Full-time  

  • 120 credits  

  • 38 weeks long (includes holiday breaks) 

  • Classroom-based, with tutorials, and wānanga (workshops) 

Kōnae ako

Learning modules

Ki hea, mō āhea hoki au ako ai?

Where and when can I learn?

No classes are currently open for application.

Kaupapa anamata

Upcoming events

Information Session

Information Session

Information Session, Online

Online
Free
Close up of a red and black korowai

He Puāwaitanga Whirikoka 2026

Graduation Ceremony, Gisborne

Gisborne War Memorial Theatre - 159 Bright Street, Gisborne
Free
Te Ao Māori Foundation Workshop

Te Ao Māori Foundation Workshop

Te Ao Māori Foundation Workshop, Dunedin

442 Moray Place, Dunedin Central, Dunedin
Free
Harakeke & Weave

Harakeke & Weave

Harakeke & Weave, Heretaunga

705 Heretaunga Street West, St Leonards, Hastings
Free
Information Session

Information Session

Information Session, Online

Online
Free
Harakeke & Weave

Harakeke & Weave

Harakeke & Weave, Ōtautahi

826 Colombo Street, Christchurch Central, Christchurch
Free
Close up of someone wearing a korowai

He Puāwaitanga Ōpōtiki 2026

Graduation Ceremony, Ōpōtiki

Ōpōtiki De Luxe Theatre - 127 Church Street, Ōpōtiki
Free
Te Ao Māori Foundation Workshop

Te Ao Māori Foundation Workshop

Te Ao Māori Foundation Workshop, Dunedin

442 Moray Place, Dunedin Central, Dunedin
Free
Kōwhaiwhai & Paint

Kōwhaiwhai & Paint

Kōwhaiwhai & Paint, Heretaunga

705 Heretaunga Street West, St Leonards, Hastings
Free
WTR26-105_-_TI_-_MATARIKI - KŌRERO KŌTUITUI

Matariki Kōrero Kōtuitui

Matariki Kōrero Kōtuitui, Whangārei

12 Murdoch Crescent, Raumanga, Whangārei
Free
Toi Exhibition

Toi Exhibition - Dunedin

Toi Exhibition, Dunedin

442 Moray Place, Dunedin Central, Dunedin
Free
A woman in graduation robes and a man hongi outside the wharenui

He Puāwaitanga Waihōpai 2026

Graduation Ceremony, Invercargill

Southern Institute of Technology - 133 Tay Street, Invercargill 9810
Free

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