Whakairo - Carving

Continue your artistic path with whakairo. Explore in more depth the skills, tikanga and practices of carving.

Our diploma-level Whakairo programme focuses on developing carvers who are responsible kaitiaki of their kaupapa toi, who understand how to apply appropriate tikanga and kawa to their practice. You'll learn about the origins, meaning and symbolism of patterns, the technical skills of whakairo, and complete different projects throughout the year.

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

• New Zealand Diploma in Ngā Toi Level 5 (Whakairo)

• media practices
• creative processes - ways to make work
• time and project management
• other toi practitioners
• rangahau (research)
• history, tikanga and cultural practices relating to whakairo.

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)
• 4 x 1-day wānanga (10 hours each)

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

• approximately 22 hours per week.

Option 2 (Noho delivery):

• 10 x noho (25 hours per noho)
• 1-day wānanga (6 hours)
• kura whakaako - compulsory tutorials (4 hours per week)

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

• approximately 22 hours per week.

As some of the learning activities will need to be completed online, you'll need to have access to an internet connected device.

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
• have successfully completed the Level 4 Kāwai Raupapa certificate or an equivalent Toi Maori qualification consisting of 120 Level 4 credits, or can provide evidence of equivalent experience which could include an art portfolio
• attend an interview and selection process to demonstrate suitability to the programme.

Download factsheet

I want to keep studying

You’ll be able to apply to enrol on our whakairo degree programme Maunga Kura Toi - Bachelor of Māori Art (Whakairo).

I want to use my qualification

With skills at this level you can be a practising artist, work in community arts or support whānau, iwi and marae projects.

The 2021 fees for this diploma are:

Year 1: $1,664 GST inclusive.

Are you eligible for fees-free study?

First time tertiary students studying fee paying programmes may be able to study fee free in their first year. To find out whether you are eligible visit: feesfree.govt.nz.