Tirohanga whānui
Grow the skills and self-belief to take your next step in study or work
This programme covers the essential skills to help you:
Learn to study with confidence
Find, evaluate and use information
Access and reference a variety of content sources
Turn your thoughts into clear writing
Improve you communication skills
Build your digital capability
Practice problem-solving
Identify your strengths
Grow your confidence
With support from kaiako and your peers, you’ll set goals that fit your life, try out real-world tasks, and create a plan for what comes next.
He aha tāu ka whiwhi?
What you’ll gain from this programme
You’ll be able to:
Find, evaluate, and use information from a range of sources—on your own and in a team
Plan and present a well-researched argument using the right tools and media
Recognise your strengths and areas to grow and set goals you can act on
Map a study and/or employment pathway that suits your interests
Use digital, financial and problem-solving skills in study or workplace scenarios
Mā te mahi kao ako
Learn by doing
Take part in:
Applied projects
Practice research and writing
Practice your communication (including introductions, conflict resolution and negotiation)
Apply basic financial literacy to real-life situations.
You’ll get feedback you can use straight away.
Ngā ara e wātea ana
Where will this take me?
Use your skills:
Keep studying
Continue into Level 5+ programmes that build on your interests and goals or continue to a degree such as He Korowai Ākonga - Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching).
At work
Step into entry-level roles or strengthen your readiness for work in your chosen field.
Community involvement
Contribute to whānau, iwi or community projects using your research, communication and digital skills.
He meka
Quick facts
- Level 4 (Intermediate)
- 60 Credits
- 20 Weeks
- NZ Certificate in Study and Employment Skills Level 4
- No fees
- NZQA Accredited
Paearu whakauru
Entry criteria
You can enrol if you:
Are 16 years or older
Are a NZ citizen or resident (includes Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau) or Australian citizen/permanent resident
Currently reside in New Zealand
Your kaiako will have input into class selection based on your:
Commitment to completing the programme requirements
Interest and/or involvement in higher level study and/or enhancing employment prospects
Te wā
Time commitment
This programme is:
Full-time
60 credits
20 weeks long
Classroom-based, with online sessions
Kōnae ako
Learning modules
Ki hea, mō āhea hoki au ako ai?
Where and when can I learn?
Kaupapa anamata
Upcoming events
He Puāwaitanga Whirikoka 2026
Graduation Ceremony, Gisborne
Te Ao Māori Foundation Workshop
Te Ao Māori Foundation Workshop, Dunedin
Harakeke & Weave
Harakeke & Weave, Heretaunga
Harakeke & Weave
Harakeke & Weave, Ōtautahi
He Puāwaitanga Ōpōtiki 2026
Graduation Ceremony, Ōpōtiki
Te Ao Māori Foundation Workshop
Te Ao Māori Foundation Workshop, Dunedin
Kōwhaiwhai & Paint
Kōwhaiwhai & Paint, Heretaunga
Pitopito kōrero o te wā
Latest news
A teaching journey shaped by whānau
The journey to becoming a teacher was not a straight line for Nimai Fraser‑Eccleston, it was shaped by whānau, lived experience and his desire to create a meaningful life for his tamariki.
Governance grounded in te ao Māori
When the opportunity came up to study Manu Taiko, New Zealand Certificate in Māori Governance, at the Ngāmotu (New Plymouth) campus of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Paora Rauputu didn’t hesitate to enrol.
Flexible study supports Cromwell business owner
Based in Cromwell, Sam Taylor needed flexibility to balance work, study and build his business, and found exactly that through the online Certificate in Small Business at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
Turning point inspires commitment to change, community, and career
In 2024, Bryce Marsh faced a major turning point in life that led to him studying Manaaki Tangata at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, setting him on a path of healing, self-discovery and a desire to give back to his community.
A whānau journey of learning at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
Studying at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa wasn’t just a personal journey for Tania Dargaville (Te Rarawa). It became a whānau journey, shared alongside her sister and son, learning, growing and now graduating together.
Creating second chances for rangatahi
Kaimahi working in Youth Engagement Services at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa play a vital role in empowering rangatahi to discover who they are, build practical skills, and shape futures that feel right for them.
Wānanga study supports career shift into social services
When COVID-19 hit, it changed the direction of Dee Clark’s life. At the time, she was working in airport security as a behavior analyst, but the impacts of COVID-19 caused her role to change and so did her sense of purpose.
Strengthening Indigenous‑led global partnerships
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust to host delegation from Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford Delegation and formalise Māori Curatorial Partnership
Upholding reo Māori beyond kura kaupapa
At 18 years old, Te Tatau Strother walked into his first Te Pīnakitanga ki te Reo Kairangi class at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa feeling like the youngest voice in a room full of experienced reo Māori speakers.
Weaving a shared journey of growth
What began as an opportunity to learn something new for Riri (Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngā Rauru Kītahi, Pākehā) and Rich Rio (Kuki Airani, Ngāti Maniapoto) grew into a journey of confidence, deeper connection to te ao Māori, and a shared sense of purpose as husband and wife.
Cambridge Museum project guided by wānanga tikanga studies
Cambridge Museum manager, Elizabeth Harvey, is combining her tikanga studies at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa with her passion for local history, to support the museum’s Voices of Cambridge project.
Wānanga launches first of their kind mātauranga Māori certificates, marking a new era for Indigenous knowledge education
Responding to the growing needs and aspirations of tauira, iwi and communities, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa is breaking new ground with the launch of 2 new Level 4 certificates that will be the first standalone programmes of their kind in Aotearoa.