Tirohanga whānui
Start your reo journey with confidence
Learn te reo Māori in a supportive, practical and non-judgemental environment. Whether you’re reconnecting with your culture, supporting your tamariki, building confidence for work, or simply wanting to finally take that first step, this programme is for you.
Complete your Level 1 learning in just 20 weeks through a full-time online format. You’ll learn alongside others at the same stage of their reo journey, with guided online classes, interactive learning, and practical reo you can use straight away in everyday life.
We believe that learning te reo Māori is fun, easy, and for everyone. Through the Ako Whakatere accelerated learning approach, you’ll learn in ways that are engaging, supportive, and designed to build confidence.
Why choose this programme?
Complete Level 1 in just 20 weeks. This full-time online option is designed for learners who want a more immersive and accelerated reo experience compared with the 38-week part-time pathway.
Learn online from anywhere in Aotearoa. Attend live online classes, connect with kaiako and classmates through e-learning platforms, and study from home while still being part of a supportive learning community.
No prior reo experience needed. This programme is specifically designed for learners with little or no previous knowledge of te reo Māori.
Safe and supportive learning environment. We understand that starting can feel intimidating. Our teaching methods are grounded in your wellbeing, creating spaces where you can feel supported every step of the way.
Practical reo for everyday life. You’ll learn reo you can use immediately at home with your whānau, in your workplace, on the marae, and in everyday conversations.
He aha tāu ka whiwhi?
Skills you'll leave with
Completing this programme means you’ll be able to:
Use te reo Māori words and simple sentences
Introduce yourself and your whānau in a range of settings
Talk about numbers, colours, days, months, and seasons in conversation
Follow and give basic instructions
Describe body parts and their functions
Appreciate te reo Māori as a natural part of daily life
Mā te mahi ka ako
Learn by doing
You will get to practice:
Every day reo Māori greetings and introductions
Pronunciation of Māori words
Basic instructions
Numbers and colours
Time, dates, days of the week and seasons
Ngā ara e wātea ana
Where will this take me?
By the end, you'll be able to:
Keep learning:
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 in public and private sector roles, helping you connect with people and communities.
Community involvement:
Use your new skills at home, on the marae, and in everyday life to support whānau and hapū, and help keep the language alive.
He meka
Quick facts
- Level 1 (Introductory)
- 60 Credits
- 20 Weeks
- NZ Certificate in Te Reo (Reo Rua) (Level 1)
- 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
Have little or no knowledge of te reo Māori
Te wā
Time commitment
This programme is:
Full-time
60 credits
20 weeks long
online-based, with exercise labs and workshops
Kōnae ako
Learning modules
Ki hea, mō āhea hoki au ako ai?
Where and when can I learn?
Kaupapa anamata
Upcoming events
Pitopito kōrero o te wā
Latest news
Finding a deeper sense of self through te ao Māori
Moving to Aotearoa from rural Australia as a teenager, Lily Warring found herself wanting to learn more about the culture and language of the place she now called home.
A journey shaped by whānau and a love of tamariki
Members of Tayla-Marie Takawe’s (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Maniapoto) whānau were among the first tauira to graduate from the Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
Reconnecting to te ao Māori through raranga
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.
Creating the spark for business success
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.
From financial stress to financial freedom for Auckland whānau
For Augustine Kopa, studying the Certificate in Money Management at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa was about creating a better future for her whānau.
Two generations, one reo Māori journey
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.
Tikanga study boosts whānau presence on marae
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.
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.
