Manaaki Tāngata
Certificate in Bicultural Social Services
Tirohanga whānui
Develop bicultural skills to support your whānau and community
In Aotearoa, more and more whānau are facing challenges around wellbeing, connection, and mental health. Communities need people who can listen, support, and guide with aroha.
This programme is your first step into this mahi. It’s designed for people who want to work in, or are already part of, social services, health, education, or community roles.
If you’ve always wanted to help others, strengthen your confidence, and be part of the solution for your community, Manaaki Tāngata will give you the tools to start making a difference.
He aha tāu ka whiwhi?
Skills you'll leave with
Completing this programme means you’ll be able to:
Understand and apply cultural and ethical practices in social services
Use practice management tools, resources, and legislation to support whānau-centred services
Apply tikanga, kawa, and reo when working with whānau and communities
Communicate effectively with strong interpersonal skills in diverse settings
Promote and strengthen health initiatives within communities
Mā te mahi ka ako
Learn by doing
Explore real-world case studies
Work with bicultural frameworks
Build skills needed for effective communication
Apply a bicultural lens to your practice
Plan a community activity to give back to whānau and the community
Ngā ara e wātea ana
Where will this take me?
On completion, you’ll have the skills to:
Keep studying
Apply to enrol on our Bicultural Social Work degree.
Use at work
Apply for roles such as:
Community worker
Youth services facilitator
Caregiver
Advocate
Support worker (mental health or disability)
Call center support
Community services support
Community involvement
Give back to your community through advocacy and kaupapa Māori initiatives.
He meka
Quick facts
- Level 4 (Intermediate)
- 120 Credits
- 38 Weeks
- Te Pou Tautoko i te Ora (Kaupae 4) - New Zealand Certificate in Social Services (Māori) Level 4
- NZQA Accredited
- Fees apply
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
Attend an interview
Have completed a Level 3 (or higher) programme OR
Pass a pre-entry literacy and skills test at Level 3 or above
Are fully committed to the programme
Fees and scholarships
The 2027 fee for this programme is:
$1,750 GST inclusive
The fees displayed for 2027 are indicative and may be subject to change. The regulatory settings governing fees for 2027 are currently being finalised and implemented through government approval processes and will be confirmed by the end of October.
Te wā
Time commitment
This programme is:
Full-time
120 credits
38 weeks long (includes holiday breaks)
Classroom-based, with workshops 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
Pitopito kōrero o te wā
Latest news
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Haylee Roussel (Ngāti Rārua, Rangitāne, Ngāti Maniapoto) was searching for a way to reconnect with te ao Māori when she enrolled in the Certificate in Māori and Indigenous Art, Raranga, at the Waiwhero campus of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
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With plenty of experience as an electrician, Josh Verstraten was ready to branch out from employee to business owner, but he knew running a successful business would require a new set of skills.
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For Augustine Kopa, studying the Certificate in Money Management at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa was about creating a better future for her whānau.
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When Melody Francis (Ngāti Kahungunu) saw the positive impact that studying te reo Māori had on her mum, she decided to jump on the waka and begin the journey alongside her.
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Patrick and Donna Tobin (Ngāti Kahu) are a brother-and-sister duo studying tikanga alongside their wider whānau at Te Paatu Marae in Kaitaia, all working towards the betterment of their whānau, iwi, and marae.
