Māori Language for Beginners

Learn how to speak the Māori language in a fun and supportive environment.

This programme is our part-time study option. It’s designed to provide you with more flexibility to learn te reo Māori at a slower pace without the impact to your lifestyle commitments.

Start to become confident putting your new conversational skills to use by learning about different tense markers that help you to describe when things have happened, and asking and answering basic questions.

You’ll also be able to identify, describe and explain - at a foundational level- various parts of the marae, people and visiting different places.

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

• Te Pōkaitahi Reo (Rumaki, Reo Rua) (Te Kaupae 2) - New Zealand Certificate in Te Reo Rumaki, Reo Rua) (Level 2)

• understanding and following tikanga (protocols)
• performing waiata (songs)
• using Māori words with confidence
• understanding basic sentence structures

• use te reo Māori vocabulary and grammatical structures at a foundation level, as an expression of mana tangata
• use foundation-level reo Māori to express connections to the land and the environment, prominent places and people of the area, as an expression of mana whenua
• apply technical knowledge of foundation-level reo Māori in selected contexts, and develop an emerging respect for te reo, as an expression of mana reo
• use foundation-level reo Māori to achieve tasks in specified contexts, as an expression of mana ao tūroa

This qualification is intended for learners who have a basic understanding and ability in the use of te reo Māori.  It is also for those who have a desire to contribute positively to the development of te reo kia tika, kia rere, kia Māori, or have a personal and/or professional interest in te reo Māori.

Graduates will have the language skills required to communicate, with little support, in familiar everyday contexts, and in Māori environments where they feel comfortable.

This programme is an entry point to our te reo Māori pathway which advances up to level 7. The next step from here is Te Ara Reo Māori Level 3. Or, you might be interested in learning about tikanga - Māori practices and protocols with our foundation programme, Te Whāinga o te Ao Tikanga Level 3.

Your new reo Māori capabilities will support and complement other skills and strengths you have. You can also help keep te reo Māori alive by sharing what you know with your whānau, friends and work colleagues.

This is a part-time programme that consists of 60 credits, taught over 38 weeks. Some of our locations offer different delivery modes. These will be confirmed by your local campus and might include:

Option 1 – Classroom-based

• 1 x kura whakaako (3 hours per fortnight) 
• 2 x 1-day wānanga (8 hours each)
• 1 x noho marae (25 hours)

You’ll also need to complete set activities outside of class which will take approximately:

• 14 hours of learning per week

Option 2 – Noho/wānanga-based

• 8 x 1-day wānanga (9 hours each)
• 1 x noho marae (25 hours)

You’ll also need to complete set activities outside of class which will take approximately:

• 14 hours of learning per week

Option 3 – Online

• weekly classes (5 hours per fortnight)

You’ll also need to complete set activities outside of class which will take approximately:

• 14 hours of learning per week

As some of the programme activities need to be completed online, you’ll need to have access to an internet-connected device.

How you can apply

Register or log in to your Te Wānanga o Aotearoa account

• Question 1 - Where would you like to study? Type or scroll to select Online Learning
• Question 2 - What would you like to study? Select Te Ara Reo Māori Level 2
• Complete the rest of the application form
• Our teams will be in touch to confirm your enrolment

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
• have little or no knowledge of te reo Māori
• have completed Te Pōkaitahi Reo (Rumaki, Reo Rua)(Te Kaupae 1) - New Zealand Certificate in Te Reo (Rumaki, Reo Rua) (Level 1) or hold a comparative qualification

Mahi Ngahau | 15 Credits

This kōnae ako introduces tauira to appropriate tense markers to talk about action and statives. Tauira can ask and answer questions about the cost of something.  

He Tikanga Marae | 15 Credits

This kōnae ako introduces tauira to the various parts of the marae complex and the key roles of people. Tauira are then given the opportunity to engage in conversational Māori on this subject. 

Haerenga | 15 Credits

This kōnae ako introduces the language of travel and holidays, and gives tauira the opportunity to engage in conversational Māori about the purpose of travel and/or holiday. 

Tangata Rongonui | 15 Credits

This kōnae ako introduces tauira to the language of the third person. Tauira then will be able to display confidence and competency when speaking in te reo Māori.