Tirohanga whānui
Learn traditional weaving methods
Be part of the living tradition of Māori weaving. Kāwai Raupapa: Ngā Mahi ā te Whare Pora opens the door to the techniques, stories, and tikanga that shape this art form.
You’ll learn how to prepare and work with natural fibres, discover traditional and contemporary approaches, and create woven taonga that express your creativity, culture, and connection.
He aha tāu ka whiwhi?
Skills you'll leave with
Completing this programme means you’ll be able to:
Select and apply creative methods and techniques to create woven works of art
Explore and compare different artists’ weaving practices to inspire your own
Complete weaving projects based on creative briefs and personal concepts
Plan and manage your time and materials to bring projects to life
Mā te mahi ka ako
Learn by doing
You will get to:
Explore Māori patterns and designs
Build your technical skills in ngā mahi ā te whare pora, including mahi raranga, whatu, tāniko and tukutuku
Work with different fibres such as harakeke
Plan and complete projects
Connect and collaborate with other toi practitioners
Research into the history, tikanga and cultural practices to guide 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 (Ngā Mahi ā te Whare Pora) Level 5.
Use at work
Graduates may contribute to community art projects, teach basic weaving workshops, or create woven taonga for cultural, personal, or whānau use.
Community involvement
Support whānau, hapū, or iwi through weaving practices that uphold tikanga and cultural continuity.
He meka
Quick facts
- Level 4 (Intermediate)
- 120 Credits
- 38 Weeks
- NZ Certificate in Ngā Toi Level 4
- No fees
- NZQA Accredited
Paeuru 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 portfolio (visual evidence of creative practice)
Attend an interview and selection process
Te wā
Time commitment
This programme is:
Full-time
120 credits
38 weeks long (includes holiday breaks)
Noho-based, tutorials, and workshops
10 x noho marae (25 hours per noho)
Kura whakaako - compulsory tutorials (5 hours each week)
2 x 1-day wānanga (10 hours each wānanga)
Dates of your noho delivery schedule will be confirmed by your kaiako.
Learn more about noho learning.
Plan for around 21 hours of study in your own time each week.
Tasks and activities you’ll complete outside of class include:
Completing aromatawai (assessments)
Required reading
Practising your new skills
Doing research, reflection, or group study
Keen to know how study fits around work and home? Our Enrolment Support and Study Experience section can help.
You’ll need to have access to a:
Computer or laptop
Reliable internet connection
Kōnae ako
Learning modules
You will explore Toi Awe by selecting and applying creative processes, methods and techniques to address insights that arise during the creation of mahi toi. You will engage in tikanga and kawa practices, refine your expressive and technical skills, and document ways to strengthen your creative process. This kōnae ako focuses on cultural grounding and personal artistic growth.
You will apply Toi Iro by studying artistic context, comparing the practices of other artists, and recognising how these influence creative evolution and variation. Through this exploration, you will examine social, cultural and historical influences while reflecting on how your own work is shaped by other practitioners. The emphasis is on developing awareness of artistic lineage and contextual understanding.
You will practice Toi Raupapa by engaging with project briefs to organise and produce kaupapa toi under broad guidance. You will apply tikanga and kawa within your practice, follow and complete guided briefs, and develop your own project briefs to support effective planning and creative outcomes. This kōnae ako develops project management skills alongside creative practice.
You will apply Toi Hanga by using technical skills and ethical rangahau to create a body of work in your chosen kaupapa toi. Guided by tikanga and kawa, you will complete project briefs, apply creative processes, and use reflective documentation to inform future practice. This kōnae ako emphasises the creation of meaningful mahi toi that integrates technical ability, cultural values and personal expression.
Ki hea, mō āhea hoki au ako ai?
Where and when can I learn?
Kaupapa anamata
Upcoming events
Pitopito kōrero o te wā
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