Māori Language for Beginners

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

This programme is our new 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

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 in Christchurch

• 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

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

Option 2 – Online Learning

• online classes (5.3 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? Select Online Learning or Christchurch for the classroom option
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

Download factsheet