Whirikoka Campus
Gisborne
Campus
630 Childers Road, Elgin, Gisborne 4010
Whirikoka
Te Tairāwhiti connection
Our campus carries the name Whirikoka, gifted by Reverend Eru Smith to honour the tīpuna Whirikoka. His story, symbolised by a loyal kekeno (seal), speaks of resilience, connection, and kaitiakitanga – values that continue to guide us today.
This whenua also holds the story of the Horouta waka. In 1350, captain Pāoa sought sacred tōtara at Maungahaumi, carried with the help of the Patu Paiarehe from Mangatū, linking this land forever with Horouta.
Whirikoka Campus continues these legacies. We are a place of knowledge, strength, and whānau transformation, where education empowers tauira and ensures the vision of our tūpuna lives on.
Ngā whare me ngā ratonga
Facilities and support services
Our campus offers comfortable and accessible spaces designed to support your learning.
Our reception is open from 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
We offer:
Student support services, including academic help and wellbeing support (by appointment)
Learning spaces that support your studies
Computer lab
Kitchenette for tauira use
Convenient parking with mobility access
Free Wi-Fi
An onsite early learning centre Whare Āmai for tamariki (separate enrolment required)
A vibrant toi collection showcasing the creativity of our tauira, kaimahi, and community
Please note: We are closed on statutory holidays and weekends.
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
630 Childers Road, Elgin, Gisborne 4010
Ngā hōtaka i konei
Programmes here
-
Te Tirohanga Māori
Programmes here
Show 4 programmes -
Ngā Mahi ā te Whare Pora | Raranga
Programmes here
Show 1 programme -
Ratonga Pāpori
Programmes here
Show 1 programme -
Pakihi
Programmes here
Show 4 programme -
Te Reo Māori
Programmes here
Show 5 programme -
Ārahi Kaupapa
Programmes here
Show 4 programme
Kaupapa anamata
Upcoming events
He Puāwaitanga Whirikoka 2026
Graduation Ceremony, Gisborne
Te Ao Māori Foundation Workshop
Te Ao Māori Foundation Workshop, Dunedin
Harakeke & Weave
Harakeke & Weave, Heretaunga
Harakeke & Weave
Harakeke & Weave, Ōtautahi
He Puāwaitanga Ōpōtiki 2026
Graduation Ceremony, Ōpōtiki
Te Ao Māori Foundation Workshop
Te Ao Māori Foundation Workshop, Dunedin
Kōwhaiwhai & Paint
Kōwhaiwhai & Paint, Heretaunga
Pitopito kōrero o te wā
Latest news
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.
Governance grounded in te ao Māori
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.
Wānanga study supports career shift into social services
When COVID-19 hit, it changed the direction of Dee Clark’s life. At the time, she was working in airport security as a behavior analyst, but the impacts of COVID-19 caused her role to change and so did her sense of purpose.
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.