Why Learning te reo Māori is a major skill to have for the New Zealand Job Market

Te reo Māori, the indigenous language of New Zealand, is a vital aspect of Māori culture and identity. Learning te reo Māori not only enriches one's understanding of the Māori worldview but also contributes to the preservation and revitalisation of the language.

Here at Kumara Vine, we have noticed a massive upsurge in job vacancies from a range of organisations looking for potential staff with te ao Māori and te reo Māori skills. There has also been a recognizable desire for some of the country’s biggest employers to hire staff willing to start learning te reo.

So, if your career aspirations include working for our largest employers, whether that be as a permanent employee or supplier of services, the advantage of having attained te reo Māori and an understanding of te ao Māori is highly desirable regardless of whether you are of Māori descent or not.

In this blog post, we will explore some of Aotearoa/New Zealand’s te reo Māori training providers, offering various courses and programs to suit your needs and preferences.

1. Te Wānanga o Aotearoa

Established in 1984, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa provides holistic education opportunities of the highest quality for Māori, the peoples of Aotearoa and the world.

• Location: Nationwide, with campuses in major cities

• History: Established in 1984, one of New Zealand's largest tertiary education providers

• Notable achievements: Received the New Zealand Qualifications Authority's highest rating for educational performance

• Courses offered: Beginner to advanced levels, full-time and part-time courses, online and in-person classes

• Unique features: Strong focus on Māori cultural values and principles, partnerships with local iwi, and holistic learning approach

2. Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

Choose from various subjects and programmes, ranging from certificates and undergraduate degrees to Master and Doctorate level. You can study at our campus in Whakatāne, our sites in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) and Te Tai Tokerau (Northland), or at our marae-based learning centres. Some programmes are also delivered at sites in other centres or remote access, according to community requirements.

• Location: Whakatāne, with satellite campuses in Auckland and Northland

• History: Established in 1991, a wānanga (Māori tertiary institution) with a strong research focus

• Notable achievements: Recognized for its commitment to Māori development and innovation

• Courses offered: Certificate, diploma, and degree programs, online and in-person classes

• Unique features: Emphasis on Māori knowledge systems, cultural immersion experiences, and strong connections with iwi and hapū

3. Te Kura

Te Kura is a state-funded distance education provider that offers a wide range of personalised learning programmes and courses, from early childhood to NCEA Level 3, which are mostly delivered online. Students can enrol for a few credits in a specific course or for a full-time programme. Students of all ages are welcome if they meet our eligibility criteria.

As New Zealand's largest state school, Te Kura offers a wide range of subjects and courses. We have regional offices in Wellington, Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch. Our staff also work in communities where there are clusters of Te Kura students, such as Whangarei, Hastings and Nelson. This helps us to work with communities to support students’ learning.

• Location: Nationwide, online-based learning

• History: Established in 1922, New Zealand's largest state distance education provider

• Notable achievements: Award-winning online platform and innovative learning approaches

• Courses offered: Beginner to advanced levels, online classes, tailored learning plans

• Unique features: Flexible learning options, personalized support, and access to a wide range of resources

4. Te Wānanga o Raukawa

Have you always dreamed of getting a degree or completing your masters but can’t because of time constraints, family commitments or a full time job? Te Wānanga o Raukawa is the place for you. Get a better study, work and lifestyle mix to achieve your academic aspirations through our blended learning approach. Our comprehensive distance learning programmes are complemented by online courses and unique Māori ‘noho’ style residential stays.

The ‘noho’ approach frees you up from having to physically attend classes on a daily basis, so you can carry on with normal life while working towards your qualification and new career. The ethos of whanaungatanga is at the heart of every residential noho where the aim is to provide a comfortable, safe and nurturing environment that supports a distinctively Māori way of learning.

• Location: Ōtaki, North Island

• History: Established in 1981, a pioneering Māori tertiary institution

• Notable achievements: Recognized for its innovative Māori education models and research

• Courses offered: Certificate, diploma, and degree programs, in-person classes

• Unique features: Emphasis on Māori values, tikanga (customs), and marae-based learning

5. AUT University

Come be part of the AUT whānau and learn te reo Māori in a safe and innovative teaching and learning environment. Learn the indigenous language of Aotearoa and gain access to te ao Māori – the Māori worldview.

• Location: Auckland, North Island

• History: Established in 2000, one of New Zealand's leading universities

• Notable achievements: AUT is the second largest university in Aotearoa New Zealand. We have been a university since 2000, but a place of learning for 120 years and operate in accordance with the Education Act (1989).

• Courses offered: Certificate, diploma, and degree programs, online and in-person classes

• Unique features: Strong focus on Māori language revitalization, research opportunities, and industry connections

6. University of Otago

Māori Studies is an entry point for students wishing to engage with knowledge about the Māori world. It is a broad programme dedicated to the study of te reo Māori (Māori language), tikanga Māori (Māori customary lore) and aspects of te ao Māori (the Māori world).

Māori society is not static. Engaging in these three areas together enables you to enter this world and provides you with the foundations to analyse how this body of knowledge can be applied in today’s ever-changing world.

• Location: Dunedin, South Island

• History: Established in 1869, New Zealand's oldest university

• Notable achievements: Consistently ranked among the top universities in the world

• Courses offered: Certificate, diploma, and degree programs, in-person classes

• Unique features: Comprehensive Māori studies program, extensive resources, and research opportunities

7. Te Ataarangi

Te Ataarangi is a language revitalisation movement committed to the survival of the Māori language. Developed by Dame Kāterina Te Heikōkō Mataira and Ngoingoi Pewhairangi its immersion language learning technique is modeled on Caleb Gattegno’s the Silent Way, using Cuisenaire rods and incorporating Māori values and customs. Te Ataarangi emerged from within the community and has developed over time to become one of the most effective Māori language learning methodologies in producing speakers of te reo Māori. Initially, Te Ataarangi sessions were delivered by native speakers of te reo Māori who were trained to become tutors.

• Location: Nationwide, community-based learning

• History: Established in 1980, a unique Māori language learning method

• Notable achievements: Widespread success in Māori language revitalization efforts

• Courses offered: Beginner to advanced levels, in-person classes, workshops, and immersion experiences

• Unique features: Innovative teaching methods, strong community focus, and cultural activities

8. Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Discover the vibrant world of Māori culture and society. Explore the customs, history and traditions of Māori and learn how to participate in the Māori world.

Prepare yourself to make a positive contribution to Māori development. At Victoria University of Wellington, you'll get a foundation in Māori language, culture and society—past and present—and examine the relationships between Māori and cultures in New Zealand, Polynesia and the world.

You'll graduate with transferable knowledge and skills, prepared for further academic study, a career or research.

Location: Wellington, New Zealand.

• History: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, originally known as Victoria College, was founded in 1897, the year of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

• Notable achievements: We are New Zealand’s top-ranked university for research intensity, and we consistently rank among the world’s best universities in the QS World Rankings.

• Courses offered: Pre Degree, Undergraduate and Postgraduate studies

• Unique features: Learn through experience - You won't just read and talk about cultural practices—you'll take part in them. From oral performance to helping out on the marae, you'll learn new skills and deepen your understanding of Māori culture and society.

In conclusion, New Zealand offers a diverse range of te reo Māori training providers that cater to different learning styles, goals, and preferences. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, there is a course or program that will help you unlock the richness of the Māori language and culture. Take the first step towards learning te reo Māori by enrolling in one of these top training providers today!

Hope you found this information informative.

nāku noa - Yours sincerely
Tony Cutting
for Kumara Vine