Te Wānanga o Aotearoa_He Aranga Taiohi_Hei Tikitiki programme. Visually represented by a hei tiki wearing a backpack, basketball cap and headphones on a pounamu background.

Hei Tikitiki

Pathway programme

Micro-credential
No fees
Beginners
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa_He Aranga Taiohi_Youth_Hei Tikitiki. Visually represented by a young man carving a wooden artwork.

Tirohanga whānui

Discover your strengths and grow your confidence

Need some direction to help you decide what to do with your future? Not sure if you should look at studying or just try to find a job? 

Hei Tikitiki helps you:

  • Reconnect with who you are

  • Grow your confidence, and

  • Plan your next move in study or work

Using Te Whare Tapa Whā (spiritual, mental, physical and whānau wellbeing model) and practical, real-world activities, you’ll build skills, believe in your abilities, and move toward new opportunities.

This micro-credential is designed for rangatahi aged 16 years and older who are no longer enrolled in school.

He aha tāu ka whiwhi?

What you'll gain from this programme

Completing this programme means you’ll be able to: 

  • Build positive relationships

  • Express your cultural identity

  • Grow self-confidence through understanding Te Whare Tapa Whā

  • Identify personal strengths

  • Set goals for study or employment

  • Learn how to research study and career options

  • Work as part of a team

Mā te mahi ka ako

Learn by doing

You will get to: 

  • Take part in group projects and practical activities

  • Explore your study or work options

  • Work on personal goal setting

  • Develop your communication skills

Ngā ara e wātea ana

Where will this take me?

Keep studying:
Move into Level 3 programmes such as:

At work:
Use this programme as a starting point to explore a wide range of potential employment options, guided by the goals you set during your studies. 

Community involvement:
Share your skills with your whānau, hapū, iwi and wider community. 

He meka

Quick facts

  • Level 2 (Introductory)
  • 36 Credits
  • 12 Weeks
  • Micro-credential
  • 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

Te wā

Time commitment

This programme is:  

  • Full-time

  • 36 credits

  • 12 weeks long

  • Classroom-based, with activities and noho marae

Kōnae ako

Learning modules

Ki hea, mō āhea hoki au ako ai?

Where and when can I learn?

No classes are currently open for application.

Kaupapa anamata

Upcoming events

Two men hongi outside the wharenui during a graduation ceremony

He Puāwaitanga Heretaunga 2026

Graduation Ceremony, Hastings

Toitoi: Hawke's Bay Arts & Events Centre - 109 Hastings Street South, Eastbourne Corner, Hastings
Free
Graduation ceremony outside the wharenui

He Puāwaitanga Tāmaki Makaurau 23 March 2026

Graduation Ceremony, Auckland

Church Unlimited - 3 Te Atatu Road, Glendene, Auckland
Free
Graduation ceremony outside the wharenui

He Puāwaitanga Tāmaki Makaurau 24 March 2026

Graduation Ceremony, Auckland

Māngere Arts Centre - Corner Bader Drive and, Orly Avenue, Māngere, Auckland 2022
Free
Graduating students watch the awards stage

He Puāwaitanga Papaiōea 2026

Graduation Ceremony, Palmerston North

Awapuni Racing Centre - 67 Racecourse Road, Awapuni, Palmerston North
Free
Close up of a red and black korowai

He Puāwaitanga Kaitāia 2026

Graduation Ceremony, Kaitāia

Kaitāia
Free
A view of the audience watching the graduation awards stage

He Puāwaitanga Kaikohe 2026

Graduation Ceremony, Kaikohe

Kaikohe
Free
Back view of graduates watching their awards ceremony

He Puāwaitanga Whangārei 2026

Graduation Ceremony, Whangārei

97 Western Hills Drive, Kensington, Whangārei 0112
Free
A student receives their qualification during graduation

He Puāwaitanga Tainui 2026

Graduation Ceremony, Tainui

Corner of Brooklyn Road and, Heaphy Terrace, Claudelands, Hamilton 3214
Free
Close up of a red and black korowai

He Puāwaitanga Tauranga 2026

Graduation Ceremony, Tauranga

Bethlehem Baptist Church - 90 Bethlehem Road, Tauranga
Free
Two hands clasp a korowai cloak together

He Puāwaitanga Waiwhero 2026

Graduation Ceremony, Rotorua

390 Fenton Street, Rotorua
Free
Hands clasping a korowai cloak together

He Puāwaitanga Whakatāne 2026

Graduation Ceremony, Whakatāne

67 Keepa Road, Coastlands, Whakatāne
Free
Graduating students watch the awards stage

He Puāwaitanga | Kawerau 2026

Graduation Ceremony, Kawerau

Rautahi Marae - 117 Onslow Street, Kawerau
Free

Pitopito kōrero o te wā

Latest news

Manaaki Tangata - Craig Kara

From closed doors to open pathways

After the closure of Grace Foundation Whanganui, Craig Kara used his Manaaki Tāngata studies at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa to create Te Ara Kimihia, a kaupapa supporting tāne toward positive futures. His journey of healing, leadership, and transformation now inspires others to find their own pathway forward.

Olly Jonas and Neville King

Governance grounded in te ao Māori for future generations

Discover how Māori governance grounded in te ao Māori is shaping future generations. Learn about Manu Taiko – Toro Parirau, a unique programme at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa that empowers whānau with tikanga-based leadership and decision-making skills.

Te Rita Papesch, musician, educator, and kapa haka stalwart,

Companion of Te Apārangi, Champion of Te Reo Māori

Te Rita Papesch, musician, educator, and kapa haka stalwart, has been inducted as a Companion of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. Discover her inspiring journey of music, haka, and te reo Māori, and how her lifelong dedication to Māori culture shaped generations.

Keil Caskey’s journey from tauira to kaiako

Keil Caskey – former tauira, now kaiako

Keil Caskey’s journey from tauira to kaiako at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa shows the transformative power of toi Māori education. Discover how his passion for taonga pūoro and commitment to whānau and whakapapa inspired him to teach and give back to his community.

Juliet Grant (Kaiako) and Niquita Samuel (Tauira)

Building confidence, careers, and culture through Māori performing arts

Discover how Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Certificate in Māori Performing Arts goes beyond kapa haka, empowering tauira with skills in drama, screen acting, and public speaking. Hear how graduates like Niquita Samuel are building confidence, careers, and cultural pride.

Lizzie Dunn - Making connections between media and Māoritanga

Making connections between media and Māoritanga

Lizzie Dunn created Te Arawhata to help people reconnect with te ao Māori through media, resources, and kōrero. Discover how her reo journey and passion for sharing knowledge are inspiring thousands to embrace Māoritanga and strengthen cultural connections.

Alex Maddox, Kaiwhakarite at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa

He Māmā, He Rangahau, He Moemoeā

Alex Maddox is turning her lived experience as a māmā into a powerful Rangahau kaupapa through He Waka Hiringa at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Discover how her vision aims to amplify whānau voices in research and policy for tamariki with vision impairments.

Dr Tara McAllister of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa

Royal Society Fellowship for Kairangahau Matua

Dr Tara McAllister of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa has been awarded the prestigious Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader Fellowship from Royal Society Te Apārangi. Discover how her research will transform Indigenous science, strengthen mātauranga Māori, and advance equity in Aotearoa’s research sector.

Tauira to kaiako - Desiree Moat-Rangikataua

Toi tauira to kaiako series – Desiree Moat-Rangikataua

Heretaunga toi kaiako Desiree Moat-Rangikataua shares her inspiring journey from tauira to kaiako at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Discover how raranga, te reo Māori, and a reconnection to culture shaped her path and why she encourages others to embrace growth and teaching.

Yumi’s muka kākahu - Rotorua library

Raranga weaves culture and people together

Yumi’s muka kākahu beautifully blends Māori and Japanese culture through raranga. Discover her inspiring journey with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, from Kāwai Raupapa to Maunga Kura Toi, and how weaving has connected her to people, tikanga, and identity.

From the bush to a PHD Fabians journey of faith family and learning

From the bush to a PhD - Fabian's journey of faith, family, and learning

Fabian C Mika’s journey from the ngahere of Rūātoki to earning a PhD is a powerful story of faith, whānau, and mātauranga Māori. Discover how his passion for Ringatū, te reo Māori, and education led to academic success and a legacy of learning for future generations.

Tauira and kaiako at the opening of their exhibition, Saturday 18 October 2025.

Mahi toi exhibitions 2025

From raranga to whakairo, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa toi tauira are showcasing their mahi toi in free exhibitions across Aotearoa from September to November 2025. Discover stunning works of Māori art and creativity, and celebrate the journey of tauira from certificate to degree level.

1 / 12
Share Share
Feedback