Construction Trade Skills

• 4 x 5.5 hours (approx) classes per week

• 1 x noho (25 hours)

Dates, venue and details will be confirmed by your kaiako.

Learn more about noho learning.

Plan for around 10 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)

• Required reading 

• Practising your new skills

• Doing research, reflection, or group study 

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

You’ll need to have access to a: 

• Computer or laptop 

• Reliable internet connection

Starting tertiary study or work-based learning for the first time? You may be able to get Fees Free after you complete your first eligible qualification or programme. 

Fees Free covers the cost of your fees for the final year of study or final two years of work-based learning, up to $12,000.

When you enrol, you will need to pay your fees. To help you cover this cost, you may wish to apply for a student loan. Find out more at Student loan – StudyLink.

For more information on the eligibility requirements and when it is best to apply for Fees Free, visit Fees Free – Inland Revenue. 

Am I eligible?

To receive Fees Free, you must meet the eligibility criteria for the type of study or training you wish to enrol in. The course or programme you are enrolled in also needs to be eligible for Fees Free. Provider-based study refers to courses where you are studying on campus, or online.

Please pay your fees within 30 days of your programme's start date.

Our Student Support team can help with:

• Setting up a payment plan

• Budgeting support

• Applying for a student loan or allowance

Please reach out early – unpaid fees can affect your ability to continue studying or graduate.

Talk to us early if you're having difficulty. If your fees remain unpaid, recovery steps will be taken:

• 31-90 days: Overdue fees

• 91-99 days: Debt collection fees

• 100+ days: Debt collection agency charges

Unpaid fees may be referred to a collection agency and could impact your ability to study or graduate.

You might be eligible for a course-related loan through StudyLink. You’ll need details of your preferred device to apply.

No. Scholarships are not guaranteed, so you should never rely on them as your only source of funding.

They're a great help if you receive one, but always have a backup plan for your study costs. Please check our Fees and Financial Support for other options to help you manage these costs.

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa scholarships open Monday, 16 March 2026 until Friday, 29 May 2026.

Other scholarship application dates depend on the organisation offering them. Most iwi, community, and government scholarships open once a year, often between October and March.

We recommend:

• Checking the scholarships page on our website

• Visiting your iwi and hapū trust page if you are registered

• Talking with our student support advisors, who can connect you with opportunities that fit your study and whānau situation

Each scholarship has unique criteria. Make sure you check these carefully to ensure you qualify.

For Te Wānanga o Aotearoa Te Kōpuretanga scholarships:

• You will need to be a current tauira at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and have your student ID number to apply for a scholarship

• Your student ID number will be on your confirmation of enrolment letter

• Log-in to Te Matakā (the student portal)

• Click on the button: Te Kōpuretanga Scholarships

• Review all information, criteria and the details again

• Apply via the Te Kōpuretanga Scholarships page in Te Matakā

• You will be required to use your Tauira OneDrive to link documentation to your application 

• Check and submit your application

• You'll receive an electronic message confirming successful submission

Note: We suggest you attend a scholarship application training session to help you put together a great application. 

If you are unsure or need extra help, our Student Support team can give advice on where to look and what steps to take.

Scholarships have their own rules, deadlines and eligibility criteria. The best way to find out is to check the details for each one and see if you meet the requirements.

Our student support team can help you understand your options.

No. Enrolment and scholarship applications are separate processes. You'll need to complete both applications, and allow enough time so you don't miss out.

No. You do not need to be Māori to study at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

Our programmes are open to adult New Zealand citizens or residents (or citizens of Australia, Tokelau, Niue or the Cook Islands). We welcome learners from all cultures and backgrounds who want to grow their skills, confidence, and knowledge in a supportive, kaupapa Māori learning environment.

Identify the legislative frameworks that create the framework for workplace safety requirements in the construction industry. Select and consistently apply safe working practices when undertaking work in the construction industry. Identify and apply effective communication skills when working with colleagues and customers within the construction industry.

Read and use specifications and drawings to complete simple construction projects. Perform simple calculations to complete a range of familiar tasks in the construction sector.

Recognise and apply fundamental carpentry concepts when carrying out carpentry work. Use correct carpentry terminology when working with building plans, working drawings and specifications.

Explain a range of basic building technologies used in carpentry projects. Outline the properties of building materials/products and linings and fixtures used in a variety of carpentry projects.

Identify and apply a range of construction processes and techniques when carrying out carpentry tasks. Describe and employ correct installation processes and techniques when carrying out carpentry tasks.

Identify and carry out appropriate preliminary work for a defined carpentry project. Investigate and comply with consenting quality and other compliance requirements for a defined carpentry projects.

Complete foundations work for a defined carpentry project. Complete support structure work for a defined carpentry project.

Identify and carry out appropriate frame and related structures work for a defined carpentry project. Complete exterior envelope work structures for a defined carpentry project.

Complete interior lining work for a defined carpentry project. Complete interior finishing work for a defined carpentry project.