Tirohanga whānui
Extend your knowledge of tikanga Māori
Step up to the next level of learning tikanga Māori. You’ll learn how tikanga is practiced on the marae, and explore Māori governance, wellbeing and leadership. The programme also supports you to reflect on your own strengths and areas for growth, applying tikanga in real life, work and community situations.
Because this programme is self‑paced, it’s important that you can manage your own time and keep yourself motivated.
He aha tāu ka whiwhi?
Skills you'll leave with
Completing this programme means you’ll be able to:
Use a broad range of tikanga concepts and practices
Show how tikanga connects to the wider environment
Use reo Māori and tikanga practices
Strengthen your communication and understanding of tikanga practices
Reflect on your own practice of tikanga
Mā te mahi ka ako
Learn by doing
You will get to:
Deepen your understanding of tikanga practices
Complete research projects
Meet with your kaitiaki, who will visit you to assess your progress
Use the learning resources to grow your knowledge
Ngā ara e wātea ana
Where will this take me?
On completion, you’ll have the skills to:
Keep studying
Progress to Level 5 programmes such as Te Hapūtanga o Te Ao Tikanga.
Use at work
Apply tikanga Māori in your current role, or explore opportunities in areas like tourism, hospitality, retail, education, horticulture, environment, media and marae trusts.
Community involvement
Share and strengthen kaupapa Māori knowledge within your whānau, hapū, iwi or community groups.
He meka
Quick facts
- Level 4 (Intermediate)
- 120 Credits
- 52 Weeks
- NZ Certificate in Tikanga (Mātauranga Māori) Level 4
- NZQA Accredited
- No fees
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
Complete a pre-entry assessment
Have a Level 2 or Level 3 qualification (or equivalent)
Te wā
Time commitment
This programme is:
Full-time
120 credits
12 months
Home-based - study at home with learning resources sent out to you
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.
Ki hea, mō āhea hoki au ako ai?
Where and when can I learn?
Home-based learning
Kaupapa anamata
Upcoming events
He Puāwaitanga Tauranga 2026
Graduation Ceremony, Tauranga
He Puāwaitanga Tāmaki Makaurau 2026, 4 - 6 May 2026
Graduation Ceremony, Auckland
He Puāwaitanga Whakatāne 2026
Graduation Ceremony, Whakatāne
He Puāwaitanga Kawerau 2026
Graduation Ceremony, Kawerau
He Puāwaitanga Whirikoka 2026
Graduation Ceremony, Gisborne
Pitopito kōrero o te wā
Latest news
Strengthening Indigenous‑led global partnerships
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust to host delegation from Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford Delegation and formalise Māori Curatorial Partnership
Upholding reo Māori beyond kura kaupapa
At 18 years old, Te Tatau Strother walked into his first Te Pīnakitanga ki te Reo Kairangi class at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa feeling like the youngest voice in a room full of experienced reo Māori speakers.
Weaving a shared journey of growth
What began as an opportunity to learn something new for Riri (Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngā Rauru Kītahi, Pākehā) and Rich Rio (Kuki Airani, Ngāti Maniapoto) grew into a journey of confidence, deeper connection to te ao Māori, and a shared sense of purpose as husband and wife.
Cambridge Museum project guided by wānanga tikanga studies
Cambridge Museum manager, Elizabeth Harvey, is combining her tikanga studies at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa with her passion for local history, to support the museum’s Voices of Cambridge project.
Wānanga launches first of their kind mātauranga Māori certificates, marking a new era for Indigenous knowledge education
Responding to the growing needs and aspirations of tauira, iwi and communities, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa is breaking new ground with the launch of 2 new Level 4 certificates that will be the first standalone programmes of their kind in Aotearoa.
Learning tikanga to strengthen community work
After making the move to Aotearoa in 2014 from Germany, Almaz Bergz set out to gain a better understanding of the people, whenua, and culture that shape life here.
Thriving as a kaiako after He Korowai Ākonga
When Marlena Martin began her studies in He Korowai Ākonga – Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) in 2023, she never imagined where it would take her and how much she would grow as an individual.
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa launches new international reo Māori learning
iReo is a flexible, self-directed, online short course made up of 5 standalone modules, each running over 6 weeks. Learners can study at their own pace, weaving te reo Māori into everyday life alongside work, whānau, and other commitments.
Wānanga business programme helps launch The Dog Nanny
Ōtautahi local Jane Dungey turned her passion for animals into The Dog Nanny after completing the Certificate in Small Business at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
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.
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.
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.