Papa Reo
Māori language for beginners
Tirohanga whānui
Programme overview
This beginner-level programme is ideal for learners with little or no te reo Māori. You’ll learn how to:
Use basic greetings and everyday phrases
Introduce yourself with confidence
Talk about your whānau and home
Have simple conversations
Study at your own pace with no set class times. Learning resources will be sent to you, and a dedicated kaitiaki will guide your progress along the way. Build your confidence step by step and begin using te reo Māori in everyday life.
Nau mai, haere mai.
He aha tāu ka whiwhi?
Skills you'll leave with
Completing this programme means you’ll be able to:
Use basic te reo Māori vocabulary and grammar
Talk about yourself and your connection to the land
Apply reo in everyday situations
Build respect and understanding of te reo Māori
Mā te mahi ka ako
Learn by doing
You will get to practice:
Every day reo Māori greetings and farewells
Pronounciation of Māori words
Basic instructions around the home
Teaching a new phrase to someone in your whānau
Time, dates, days of the week and seasons
Ngā ara e wātea ana
Pathways
By the end, you'll be able to:
Keep studying
Step up to Te Ara Reo Māori Level 2 or our introduction to Māori tikanga (practices) programme.
Use at work
A foundation in te reo Māori adds value to roles across the public and private sectors, helping you connect with people and communities.
Community involvement
Use your new skills at home, at work, and in everyday life to support whānau and hapū, and help keep the language alive.
He meka
Quick facts
- Level 1 (Introductory)
- 60 Credits
- 52 Weeks
- Te Pōkaitahi Reo (Reo Rua) (Te Kaupae 1)
- No fees
- NZQA Accredited
- Home-based learning
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:
Part-time
60 credits
52 weeks long
Home-based learning
Kōnae ako
Learning modules
Our study at home programmes have different start dates in each region, depending on current demand.
Programmes fill quickly and your start date might be several months after you complete your enrolment. Once we receive your enrolment, we’ll send you a letter confirming your start date. Please make sure you have provided everything for a complete enrolment.
If you are wanting to study sooner, please check out our Papa Reo Online programme.
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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A teacher’s path to understanding tikanga
Originally from South Africa, Franda Zondagh has called Aotearoa home since 2003, but it was through studying He Papa Tikanga with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa that she began to feel a deeper connection to the place she lives and people she serves in her mahi.
Leading by example and learning te reo Māori
Liisa Wharepapa’s (Te Whānau ā Apanui) journey with te reo Māori wasn’t something that happened overnight, it was a goal waiting to be pursued until the moment she felt ready to take that step.
Returning home and reclaiming te reo Māori
After many years away building his professional career, Logan Bertram (Whakatōhea), returned home to Ōpōtiki with a clear goal of reconnecting with his whakapapa and creating a better future for his young whānau.
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.
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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.
