Maunga Kura Toi - Bachelor of Māori Art - Weaving

The ability to provide a bachelor's degree in raranga is still something we're particularly proud of, even though we've been doing it for over 10 years.

Imagine being able to hold your head high and present your CV with a degree in hand, knowing that it's a modern acknowledgement of traditional cultural wealth and strength - mastery of a rich and valued body of knowledge. Imagine the satisfaction of knowing you're a kaitiaki of the traditions and tikanga handed down by our tūpuna.

Follow in the footsteps of the generations, and learn how raranga can enrich your life and the life of your whānau.

When you pass this degree, you'll get this qualification:

• Maunga Kura Toi - Bachelor of Māori Art Level 7 (Raranga)

• mātauranga Māori relating to raranga
• Māori language and tikanga
• creative processes
• rangahau, writing and presentation skills along with academic conventions
• reflective practice, how to analyse, critique and synthesise

This is a full-time programme that consists of 120 credits per year, for 3 years. Throughout the degree you'll need to attend:

Year 1*

• kura whakaako - compulsory tutorials (4 hours per week)
• 1-day wānanga (10 hours)
• 10 x noho marae (25 hours per noho)

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

• approximately 22 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 degree.

*Year 2 and 3 commitment requirements will be discussed towards the completion of each year.

To be eligible for entry into the first year of this degree, potential students must:

• be at least 16 years of age
• be a New Zealand citizen or resident (or citizen of Australia, Tokelau, Niue or the Cook Islands)
• reside in New Zealand
• attend an interview
• provide evidence of your readiness to study at a degree level. This might be through:
  • Kāwai Raupapa - Certificate in Māori Visual Arts Level 4
  • NCEA Level 2
  • a Level 4 arts qualification of 120 credits
  • a creative portfolio and CV detailing your experience
  • graduates of Toi Paematua: Diploma in Māori and Indigenous Art (Level 5) can pathway directly into year two of the degree.

I want to keep studying

You may be eligible to enrol in our master's programme He Waka Hiringa - Master of Applied Indigenous Knowledge or other graduate and postgraduate programmes.

I want to use my qualification

You'll be well equipped to be a practising artist or to work in:

• gallery and exhibition work - exhibition design, curatorial work, front of house
• teaching and arts facilitation
• work with whānau, hapū, iwi and hapori.

The 2025 fees for this programme are:

• Year 1: $4,684 GST inclusive
• Year 2: $4,652 GST inclusive
• Year 3: $4,362 GST inclusive

Are you eligible for fees-free study?

The Government has announced a final-year Fees Free policy starting from 1 January 2025.

If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be eligible for Fees Free support in your final year of study. You still need to arrange payment of programme fees to Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Once you have completed your first qualification you may be able to claim the fees back from the IRD from 2026 onwards.

For more information about the final-year Fees Free policy, visit: feesfree.govt.nz.

Year 1

Te Au Mahora: Papa Tikanga | 30 Credits

This kōnae ako (module) will provide opportunities for tauira to analyse, select and apply techniques, processes and practices according to a kaupapa Māori context for the creation of a project.

Te Au Komiro: Traditional Knowledge and Practice 1 | 30 Credits

This kōnae ako provides tauira with the opportunity to analyse, select and apply traditional knowledge, techniques and practices for a chosen kaupapa toi. Use of media skills to enhance techniques, processes and practices for a project will be explored. 

Te Au i Tuia: Creative Development | 30 Credits

This kōnae ako combines creative practice and process to build technical experience, capability and skills of analysis through the production of a project.

Te Au i Kura: Toi Appreciation and Practice | 30 Credits

This kōnae ako provides an opportunity for tauira to broaden their appreciation, knowledge and practice of a chosen kaupapa toi. They will examine their own values and beliefs, and influential artists and/or events that have impacted their kaupapa toi, while deepening their understanding of Kaupapa Wānanga in practice.