Manaaki Tāngata - Certificate in Bicultural Social Services

Have you always wanted to help others or participate in community initiatives? This qualification will help you with a career in social services, improving people's lives and changing your community.

Manaaki Tāngata is a great place to start if you're wanting an introductory qualification to help you understand diverse communities and working in whānau-centred social services.

You’ll explore a range of kaupapa (topics) and gain a deeper understanding of the tools and skills you'll need to work within agencies, building on your experiences to help you give back through service to our communities.

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

• New Zealand Certificate in Social Services (Māori) Level 4

• relationship building skills
• the roles and obligations of social services in Aotearoa
• how to strengthen and enhance whānau, hapū, iwi, and community wellbeing
• applying a bicultural lens to your practice and principled approaches within social services in Aotearoa
• Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi)
• how to support whānau in culturally appropriate ways

• deliver a range of effective communication, interpersonal skills and strategies effectively within whānau, hapū, iwi and hapori
• apply appropriate cultural practices within whānau, hapū, iwi and hapori
• identify and apply a range of practice management tools, processes and resources that are appropriate in support the delivery of whānau-centred social services to whānau, hapū, iwi and hapori
• apply culturally and ethically appropriate practices, values and beliefs, to support the social service needs and aspirations of whānau, hapū, iwi and hapori
• apply culturally and ethically appropriate practices, behaviours and beliefs, to support the social service needs and aspirations of tāngata Māori and their whānau
• identify and support a successful promotion initiative and/or activity, strengthening and enhancing health within whānau, hapū, iwi, hapori

This qualification is intended for those seeking to increase their skills and knowledge to work with whānau, hapū, iwi and hapori in a social services context. Graduates will be able to deliver whanau-centred social services, explain legislative requirements and identify a resolution process, under supervision.

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: Contact Day Delivery

In this delivery option you will be required to attend:

• 11 hours per week over 35 weeks
• 1 x noho marae (24 hours)

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

• approximately 22 hours per week

Option 2: Noho Delivery

In this delivery option you will be required to attend:

• 8 x noho marae (25 hours per noho)
• 36 x wānanga whaiti (5.5 hours per session)
• 3 x 1-day wānanga (8 hours per wānanga)

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 access to an internet-connected device to complete some learning activities.

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
• be fully committed to the programme
• hold a qualification at Level 3 or above OR
• pass a pre-entry literacy test of a Level 3 or above

I want to keep studying

You might be able to enrol in one of our higher-level social work or teaching programmes. 

I want to use my qualification

You could find employment as a Māori health advocate, community worker, administrator, Whānau Ora worker, social services worker, caregiver, call centre worker, a kaiāwhina for a government or non-government organisation, access supervisor or an escort for Oranga Tamariki, Ministry of Vulnerable Children.

Whānaungatanga and Te Whakakoha Rangatiratanga | 20 Credits

This kōnae ako (module) explores the takepū (principled approach) Te Whakakoha Rangatiratanga in relation to the kaupapa Whānaungatanga within the context of au, whānau, hapū and iwi. 

Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Tino Rangatiratanga | 20 Credits

This kōnae ako explores the takepū Tino Rangatiratanga in relation to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application within biculturalism.

Pūkengatanga and Taukumekume | 20 Credits

This kōnae ako explores the takepū Taukumekume in relation to Pūkengatanga, the tools placed around kaimahi to keep them safe in the delivery of whānau-centred services. 

Kaitiakitanga and Social Services | 20 Credits

This kōnae ako explores the takepū Kaitiakitanga within the context of au, whānau, hapū, and iwi and its application within services in Aotearoa.

Manaakitanga and Āhurutanga| 20 Credits

This kōnae ako explores the takepū Āhurutanga in relation to the kaupapa Manaakitanga when working with whānau. 

Mauri Ora | 20 Credits

This kōnae ako explores the takepū Mauri Ora by planning and implementing a bicultural community activity to give back to the community.