Te Wānanga o Aotearoa_Te Tirohanga Māori. Close up of Māori spiral carving.

Te Ao Māori Foundation

Beginners
No fees
Noho marae
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa_Te Tirohanga Maori_Te Ao Māori Foundation. Group of wahine in room after powhiri.

Tirohanga whānui

An introduction to the Māori world

This programme is perfect for beginners who want to take that first step learning about the Māori world with confidence and curiosity.

You’ll be introduced to:

  • Māori language

  • Tikanga Māori (Māori customs and cultural practices)

  • Māori pūrākau (Māori stories)

  • Māori art

This is your opportunity to deepen your knowledge, build confidence and take part in something that connects you more closely to te ao Māori.

He aha tāu ka whiwhi?

What you’ll gain from this programme

Completing this programme means you’ll be able to:

  • Introduce yourself using te reo Māori

  • Pronounce Māori words with more confidence

  • Use common greetings

  • Explain what tikanga is and why it is significant

  • Understand the links between reo Māori, tikanga and toi through pūrākau (traditional stories).

  • Express your knowledge creatively through Māori Art

Mā te mahi ka ako

Learn by doing

You will get to:

  • Explore creation traditions and understand how whakapapa connects to Māori identity.

  • Learn the importance of pūrākau and how they shape te ao Māori.

  • Understand the role of te reo Māori, tikanga, and toi in historical and contemporary contexts.

  • Use basic te reo Māori, tikanga, and toi to contribute positively within communities.

  • Build confidence using Māori greetings, pronunciation, and self-introductions.

  • Express understanding of Māori knowledge and values through creative Māori art.

Ngā ara e wātea ana

Where will this take me?

Keep studying:
Continue your learning and move into Level 3 studies in: 

Use at work:
This programme is a strong boost for your current role. You can also use your skills in arts and tourism, local or central government, marae, hapū/iwi organisations, or Māori authorities and trusts.
Community involvement:
Support whānau, hapū, iwi, marae and local projects in whakapapa, tikanga, rangahau (research), trusteeship, papakāinga (housing/reserves), and kaitiakitanga of toi and taiao (arts and environment).

He meka

Quick facts

  • Level 3 (Introductory)
  • 60 Credits
  • 20 Weeks
  • New Zealand Certificate in Te Ao Māori Foundation Level 3
  • 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 

Te wā

Time commitment

This programme is:  

  • Full-time  

  • 60 credits 

  • 20 weeks long

  • Noho-learning, with online activities, wānanga and tutorials

Kōnae ako

Learning modules

Ki hea, mō āhea hoki au ako ai?

Where and when can I learn?

Kaupapa anamata

Upcoming events

Kōwhaiwhai & Paint

Toi Ataata

705 Heretaunga Street West, St Leonards, Hastings
Free
Matariki ki Māngere

Māngere Campus

15 Canning Crescent, Māngere, Auckland
Free
WTR26-105_-_TI_-_MATARIKI - KŌRERO KŌTUITUI

Whangārei Campus

12 Murdoch Crescent, Raumanga, Whangārei
Free
Toi Exhibition

Māori & Indigenous Art

442 Moray Place, Dunedin Central, Dunedin
Free
Te Haa o Ako – The breath of Living, Learning & Teaching

Book Launch

510 Te Rapa Road, Te Rapa, Hamilton
Free
Whiria Te Tangata, Whiria Ngā Whetū, Whiria Ngā Pou

Toi Exhibition

5 Heriot Drive, Elsdon, Porirua
Free
Mānawatia a Matariki ki Waitākere

Waitākere Campus

207 Lincoln Road, Henderson, Auckland
Free
A woman in graduation robes and a man hongi outside the wharenui

He Puāwaitanga Waihōpai 2026

Graduation Ceremony, Invercargill

Southern Institute of Technology - 133 Tay Street, Invercargill 9810
Free

Pitopito kōrero o te wā

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