Certificate in Waka

• 1 x 3-hour kura whakaako – compulsory class each week

Your structured class and group times include: 

• Face-to-face with your kaiako or other presenters 

• Wānanga, noho (overnight stays) or online sessions 

• Practice, revision, and assessment activities 

• 8 x noho marae (23 hours per noho)

• 2 x 1-day wānanga (9 hours per wānanga)

Learn more about noho learning.

Plan for around 25 hours of study in your own time each week.

Tasks and activities you’ll complete outside of class include: 

• Working through programme resources (such as workbooks, audio, video, or online activities) 

• Completing aromatawai (assessments) and required reading 

• Practising your new skills

• Doing research, reflection, or group study 

iAkoranga is our online learning space where you’ll access resources, activities and support throughout your programme.  

Keen to know how study fits around work and home? Our Enrolment Support and Study Experience section/information can help.

You’ll need to have access to a: 

• Computer or laptop 

• Reliable internet connection

You’ll strengthen your waka practice through Te Whare Tapa Whā, planning, implementing, and reviewing your own hauora programme. Build practical skills in nutrition, training design, and safe aquatic competence, guided by tikanga for water safety. You’ll also take part in pōwhiri, karakia, waiata or haka, and whakawhanaungatanga to enhance collective wellbeing.

You’ll explore traditional and contemporary waka practice by researching key events, figures, and waka lineages, linking these to your iwi connections today. Build capability in water safety and rescue, and learn how weather, tides, and currents inform paddling decisions. You’ll apply tikanga-ā-iwi to materials, waka types and components, and responsible navigation.

You’ll apply te reo Māori and tikanga in waka contexts on land and on the water. Learn and use karakia for launching, paddling, and closing, and communicate clearly for rigging, safety, planning, and equipment care. Reflective practice is central: you’ll evaluate your readiness, participation, and skill growth before, during, and after waka activities. You’ll also explore how waka clubs operate, including roles, responsibilities, and funding pathways.

You’ll integrate broad tikanga concepts with applied waka practice to uphold mana ao tūroa, aligning your learning with NZ Coastguard Day Skipper standards. Practice waka care, safety procedures, transport and lashing, navigation, emergencies, regulations, and knots, with hazard management grounded in TWoA protocols. You’ll advance paddling, steering, and crew communication, and plan for Waka Wānanga so you participate confidently, safely, and in line with tikanga.