Te Wānanga o Aotearoa_Toi_Māori Performing arts photo.

Toi Paematua

Māori Performing Arts

No fees
Performance
Create with others
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa_Māori Performing Arts_Toi Maruata

Tirohanga whānui

Advance your practice in Māori performing arts

Māori Performing Arts celebrates expression that brings together culture, performance, and creativity. It is used to tell stories of the past and encourage self-reflection and growth.

Toi Paematua: Māori Performing Arts is designed to extend your abilities as a performer and creative practitioner, helping you grow into a confident kaitiaki of Māori performance.

You’ll deepen your understanding of tikanga, kawa, and creative processes while exploring the theory, technique, and self-discipline that underpin performance.

He aha tāu ka whiwhi?

Skills you will leave with

Completing this programme means you’ll be able to:

  • Uphold your responsibilities as a kaitiaki within Māori performing arts

  • Apply creative processes and practices, using reflection to improve your work

  • Demonstrate techniques and performance skills

  • Conduct rangahau (research) to inform creative decisions

  • Apply tikanga and kawa appropriately in rehearsal, performance and collaboration

  • Assist in leading and managing performance projects (planning, coordination and delivery)

  • Communicate and express your ideas through performance

Mā te mahi ka ako

Learn by doing

You will get to:

  • Explore your role as a kaitiaki of Māori performing arts

  • Develop your creative processes by reflecting on your performance

  • Strengthen your Māori performing arts techniques and skills

  • Carry out rangahau to inform your performance work

  • Apply tikanga and kawa in rehearsals, wānanga, hui and performances

  • Assist in leading and managing projects

  • Use Māori performing arts to express yourself

Paearu whakauru

Where will this take me?

On completion, you'll have the skills to:

Keep studying
Graduates might want to progress into higher-level Māori arts, teaching, or performing arts programmes.

Use at work
Work as a performer, tutor, or cultural facilitator within kapa haka, theatre, film, or education settings.

Community involvement
Share your skills through community or iwi-based performing arts groups, helping to preserve and grow Māori performance traditions.

He meka

Quick facts

  • Level 5 (Intermediate)
  • 120 Credits
  • 38 Weeks
  • NZ Diploma in Ngā Toi Level 5
  • 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 

  • Attend an interview with the kaiako

  • Have successfully completed Kāwai Raupapa: Certificate in Māori and Indigenous Art (Level 4) or an equivalent ngā Toi qualification of at least 120 credits, or provide a portfolio showing relevant creative or performance experience

Te wā

Time commitment

This programme is:  

  • Full-time  

  • 120 credits  

  • 38 weeks long (includes holiday breaks) 

  • Noho-based, with wānanga (workshops) and tutorials

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

Close up of a red and black korowai

He Puāwaitanga Whirikoka 2026

Graduation Ceremony, Gisborne

Gisborne War Memorial Theatre - 159 Bright Street, Gisborne
Free
Close up of someone wearing a korowai

He Puāwaitanga Ōpōtiki 2026

Graduation Ceremony, Ōpōtiki

Ōpōtiki De Luxe Theatre - 127 Church Street, Ōpōtiki
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

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