Te Ao Turoa 2026
Akoranga Māori - Māori Studies
Te reo Māori, Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Haka are intertwined. Learning te reo Māori gives students access to te ao Māori (the Māori world) and to Māori world views. The insights and experiences that students gain as they learn te reo will enrich and broaden their understanding of the uniqueness and complexity of te ao Māori.
As students compare tikanga Māori with other cultures within New Zealand and overseas, they develop an understanding of the central roles that language, culture, place and heritage play in shaping identity and in giving direction and meaning to life. They come to understand that culture shapes the ways people think and behave, and begin to appreciate the value of cultural diversity. They learn about the important role that indigenous languages and cultures play in New Zealand and throughout the world.
These understandings can lead students to think about their own cultural identities and their personal place in the world. This may be especially important for those students who identify as Māori and for whom te reo Māori is a second language. For these students, the enhanced sense of connection to a rich cultural heritage can be deeply empowering.
Discover the vibrant world of Te Ao Haka, a dynamic and immersive subject offered to NCEA students in New Zealand schools! Dive deep into the rich heritage and artistry of Māori performing arts, exploring traditional and contemporary haka, waiata, and poi. Develop a profound understanding of Māori culture, language, and history while enhancing your performance skills and confidence. Choose Te Ao Haka to connect with your roots, celebrate diversity, and be part of an inspiring journey that shapes your identity and future. Enrol today and let your passion for Māori performing arts shine!
Programme Description:
This course builds students’ skills in whakarongo, kõrero, pãnui, tuhituhi and waihanga tuhinga at Level 5-6 of the NZ Curriculum, building on the Māori language learning in Years 9 and 10. There is a strong focus on encouraging and supporting students to consistently achieve to the best of their ability.
Learning Outcomes:
Ākonga deepen their understanding of mātauranga Māori and te reo Māori.
Develop literacy and the ability to express ideas clearly.
Learn about the value of knowing an additional language and the potential career opportunities and deeper multicultural understandings that come from learning Te Reo Mãori in particular, one of Aotearoa’s official languages.
Ākonga extend their understanding of how te reo Māori is structured, making comparisons with English and other known languages.
Ākonga learn to communicate feelings and opinions, habits and routines, comparing and contrasting, describing activities and events, giving and following instructions, problems and solutions, plans and intentions as well as communicating in formal situations.
Skills and Capabilities:
Ākonga develop their ability to interact and communicate with confidence in a range of different language and cultural contexts in Aotearoa, a huge advantage in our modern, multicultural country.
Ākonga are supported to develop their self-management and independent learning skills, as well as their ability to work creatively and collaboratively with others.
Cross Curriculum Links:
Te reo Māori and mātauranga Māori link to and underpin learning in all curriculum areas English; other languages; Social Sciences; Physical Education and Health; Technologies; The Arts, Science and Mathematics.
Possibly Leads to:
In a country such as Aotearoa, based on a bicultural (indigenous and non-indigenous) partnership, the ability to understand and communicate in te reo Māori is an essential skill that enables better participation in all aspects of society and can underpin success in all walks of life.
Assessment Opportunities:
Te Reo Māori 1.1 (Achievement Standard 92092 - Internal Assessment) assesses conversation skills
Te Reo Māori 1.2 (Achievement Standard 92093 - Internal Assessment) assesses writing and/or speaking skills
Te Reo Māori 1.3 (Achievement Standard 92094 - External Assessment). This is an end-of-year exam in which students demonstrate their understanding of te reo Māori related to familiar contexts and to recognise language elements which connect to Māori principles.
The Level 1 Te Reo Māori course offers 15 credits
Programme Description:
This course builds students’ skills in whakarongo, kõrero, pãnui, tuhituhi and waihanga tuhinga at Level 7 of the NZ Curriculum, building on the Māori language learning in Year 11/NCEA Level 1. There is a strong focus on encouraging and supporting ākonga to consistently achieve to the best of their ability.
Learning Outcomes:
Achieving personal independence in te reo Māori. Students in NCEA Level 2 Māori are beginning to take part in general conversation with speakers of te reo Māori, to understand most of what is said and written, and to contribute relevant comments. They will be developing their ability to explain and discuss many of their own ideas and opinions and to use te reo Māori creatively.
Students will learn to read a variety of authentic te reo Māori materials and to write expressively for a range of purposes. They will use a range of strategies to help them learn te reo Māori effectively, and will begin to demonstrate a high level of fluency for a learner of te reo Māori as a second language.
Skills and Capabilities:
Ākonga can interact and communicate with confidence in a range of different language and cultural contexts in Aotearoa, a huge advantage in our modern, multicultural country.
Ākonga further develop their self-management and independent learning skills, as well as their ability to work creatively and collaboratively with others.
Cross Curriculum Links:
Te reo Māori and mātauranga Māori link to and underpin learning in all curriculum areas English; other languages; Social Sciences; Physical Education and Health; Technologies; The Arts, Science and Mathematics.
Possibly Leads to:
In a country such as Aotearoa, based on a bicultural (indigenous and non-indigenous) partnership, the ability to understand and communicate in te reo Māori is an essential skill that enables better participation in all aspects of society and can underpin success in all walks of life.
Assessment Opportunities:
Te Reo Māori 2.1 (Achievement Standard 91284 - Internal Assessment) assesses listening skills
Te Reo Māori 2.2 (Achievement Standard 91285 - Internal Assessment) assesses speaking skills
Te Reo Māori 2.3 (Achievement Standard 91286 - External Assessment). This is an end-of-year exam which assesses reading comprehension.
The Level 2 Te Reo Māori course offers 16 credits.
Programme Description:
This course is designed for students who are interested in aspects of te ao Māori, the Māori world. You will be encouraged to explore and develop your passions which will guide your course selection and structure. These could include:
- Reo Māori - Māori Language e.g. Learning the Language
- Te Ao Haka - Māori performing Arts e.g. Kapa Haka, P.A.T., Dance, Music,
- Toi Māori - Visual and Creative Arts e.g. Raranga Tukutuku, Kōwhaiwhai, Whakairo
- Kōrero tuku iho - Social History e.g. Hawaiki, Waka Migrations, Atua Māori, Karakia
- Tōrangapu - NZ & Māori Politics e.g. Tiriti o Waitangi, NZ Wars, Colonisation, Māori Religion
- Mau Rākau & Hauora - Health & P.E. e.g. Traditional Games, Weaponry & Medicines, Waka Ama
Language and culture go hand-in-hand. While te reo Māori - the Māori language, may not be your main focus in this course, an understanding of some Māori words, values and concepts is important for your understanding of all things te ao Māori, and will be integrated into the learning.
Possible Learning Outcomes:
- Develop language skills (writing, speaking, listening, reading) in te reo Māori to express personal information, to share opinions and to connect to social contexts like school, sport, and marae.
- Expand your presenting, expressive and creative skills through visual and performing arts where you learn to use other mediums to communicate.
- Discover Māori social history from the beginning of creation as we journey from Hawaikī in the great voyaging waka using karakia, pepeha, whakapapa and the celestial bodies to guide us
- Explore the land and its tangata whenua- local people, the forging of a new nation and the inevitable conflict between two differing cultures
- Train and heal our bodies using Māori weaponry, games, sports and traditional medicines
Skills and Capabilities:
- Karakia: is able to do some karakia in some contexts
- Mihi & Whaikōrero: follows simple formal patterns of acknowledgements & oratory
- Tikanga: knows what to do in some kaupapa Māori contexts (e.g. blessing kai, pōwhiri- welcome process, general knowledge of tikanga)
- Waiata: knows and performs some simple waiata in a group context
- Manaakitanga: follows protocols of manaaki- care and compassion for all things
- Rangatiratanga: develops leadership qualities within kaupapa Māori
- Kaitiakitanga: understands guardianship and sustainability of the environment
- Mana: develops independence and autonomy
Cross Curriculum Links:
Where possible links will be made to current areas of interest in different curriculum areas. Discuss this with your kaiako.
Possibly leads to :
- Language & Tikanga Based Work Opportunities: Media; Education; Business & Consultancy; Iwi, Council & Bi-Cultural Relations Advisor; Spiritual Advisor; Tourism Business & Hospitality Industry;
- Performance, Arts & Research Based Work Opportunities: Tourism & Hospitality Industry; Stage & Film Industry; Traditional & Modern Music Performer; Anthropologist & Researcher, Navigator, Tattooist, Carver, Visual Artist, Weaver, Weapons Expert & Consultant
Assessment Opportunities:
A variety of practical, written, oral and aural internal assessments across multiple curriculum areas may be offered based on the students strengths and interests. There is an opportunity for external assessment of both reading and writing in Te Reo.
The Level 1 Te Ao Māori course offers 14-16 credits.
Programme Description:
This course is designed for students who are interested in aspects of te ao Māori, the Māori world. You will be encouraged to explore and develop your passions which will guide your course selection and structure. These could include:
- Reo Māori - Māori Language e.g. Learning the Language
- Te Ao Haka - Māori performing Arts e.g. Kapa Haka, P.A.T., Dance, Music,
- Toi Māori - Visual and Creative Arts e.g. Raranga Tukutuku, Kōwhaiwhai, Whakairo
- Kōrero tuku iho - Social History e.g. Hawaiki, Waka Migrations, Atua Māori, Karakia
- Tōrangapu - NZ & Māori Politics e.g. Tiriti o Waitangi, NZ Wars, Colonisation, Māori Religion
- Mau Rākau & Hauora - Health & P.E. e.g. Traditional Games, Weaponry & Medicines, Waka Ama
Language and culture go hand-in-hand. While te reo Māori - the Māori language, may not be your main focus in this course, an understanding of some Māori words, values and concepts is important for your understanding of all things te ao Māori, and will be integrated into the learning.
Possible Learning Outcomes:
- Develop language skills (writing, speaking, listening, reading) in te reo Māori to express personal interests and future plans, and to connect to tikanga concepts like manaaki, pōwhiri and tangi.
- Expand your presenting, expressive and creative skills through visual and performing arts where you learn to use other mediums to communicate.
- Discover Māori social history from the beginning of creation as we journey from Hawaikī in the great voyaging waka using karakia, pepeha, whakapapa and the celestial bodies to guide us
- Explore the land and its tangata whenua- local people, the forging of a new nation and the inevitable conflict between two differing cultures
- Train and heal our bodies using Māori weaponry, games, sports and traditional medicines
Skills and Capabilities:
- Karakia: confidently does karakia in most contexts
- Mihi & Whaikōrero: follows formal patterns of acknowledgements & oratory
- Tikanga: knows what to do in most kaupapa Māori contexts (e.g. blessing kai, pōwhiri- welcome process, general knowledge of tikanga)
- Waiata: knows and performs appropriate waiata in a group context
- Manaakitanga: demonstrates protocols of manaaki- care and compassion for all things
- Rangatiratanga: models leadership qualities within kaupapa Māori and school
- Kaitiakitanga: demonstrates guardianship and sustainability of the environment
- Mana: builds independence and autonomy
Cross Curriculum Links:
Where possible links will be made to current areas of interest in different curriculum areas. Speak to your Head of Faculty.
Possibly leads to :
- Language & Tikanga Based Work Opportunities: Media; Education; Business & Consultancy; Iwi, Council & Bi-Cultural Relations Advisor; Spiritual Advisor; Tourism Business & Hospitality Industry;
- Performance, Arts & Research Based Work Opportunities: Tourism & Hospitality Industry; Stage & Film Industry; Traditional & Modern Music Performer; Anthropologist & Researcher, Navigator, Tattooist, Carver, Visual Artist, Weaver, Weapons Expert & Consultant
Assessment Opportunities:
A variety of practical, written, oral and aural internal assessments across multiple curriculum areas may be offered based on the students strengths and interests. There is an opportunity for external assessment of both reading and writing in Te Reo.
The Level 2 Te Ao Māori course offers 14-16 credits.
Programme Description:
This course is designed for students who are interested in aspects of te ao Māori, the Māori world. You will be encouraged to explore and develop your passions which will guide your course selection and structure. These could include:
- Reo Māori - Māori Language e.g. Learning the Language
- Te Ao Haka - Māori performing Arts e.g. Kapa Haka, P.A.T., Dance, Music,
- Toi Māori - Visual and Creative Arts e.g. Raranga Tukutuku, Kōwhaiwhai, Whakairo
- Kōrero tuku iho - Social History e.g. Hawaiki, Waka Migrations, Atua Māori, Karakia
- Tōrangapu - NZ & Māori Politics e.g. Tiriti o Waitangi, NZ Wars, Colonisation, Māori Religion
- Mau Rākau & Hauora - Health & P.E. e.g. Traditional Games, Weaponry & Medicines, Waka Ama
Language and culture go hand-in-hand. While te reo Māori - the Māori language, may not be your main focus in this course, an understanding of some Māori words, values and concepts is important for your understanding of all things te ao Māori, and will be integrated into the learning.
Possible Learning Outcomes:
- Develop language skills (writing, speaking, listening, reading) in te reo Māori to express personal information, to share opinions and to connect to social contexts like school, sport, and marae.
- Expand your presenting, expressive and creative skills through visual and performing arts where you learn to use other mediums to communicate.
- Discover Māori social history from the beginning of creation as we journey from Hawaikī in the great voyaging waka using karakia, pepeha, whakapapa and the celestial bodies to guide us
- Explore the land and its tangata whenua- local people, the forging of a new nation and the inevitable conflict between two differing cultures
- Train and heal our bodies using Māori weaponry, games, sports and traditional medicines
Skills and Capabilities:
- Karakia: can confidently select karakia appropriate to the context, from a repertoire of known karakia
- Mihi & Whaikōrero: is able to use formal patterns of acknowledgements & oratory to respond to topics of the occasion
- Tikanga: confidently leads in kaupapa Māori contexts (e.g. blessing kai, pōwhiri- welcome process, general knowledge of tikanga)
- Waiata: can confidently select waiata appropriate to the context, from a repertoire of known waiata
- Manaakitanga: demonstrates protocols of manaaki- care and compassion for all things
- Rangatiratanga: models leadership qualities within kaupapa Māori and school
- Kaitiakitanga: demonstrates guardianship and sustainability of the environment
- Mana: builds independence and autonomy
Cross Curriculum Links:
Where possible links will be made to current areas of interest in different curriculum areas. Speak to your Head of Faculty.
Possibly leads to :
- Language & Tikanga Based Work Opportunities: Media; Education; Business & Consultancy; Iwi, Council & Bi-Cultural Relations Advisor; Spiritual Advisor; Tourism Business & Hospitality Industry;
- Performance, Arts & Research Based Work Opportunities: Tourism & Hospitality Industry; Stage & Film Industry; Traditional & Modern Music Performer; Anthropologist & Researcher, Navigator, Tattooist, Carver, Visual Artist, Weaver, Weapons Expert & Consultant
Assessment Opportunities:
A variety of practical, written, oral and aural internal assessments across multiple curriculum areas may be offered based on the students strengths and interests. There is an opportunity for external assessment of both reading and writing in Te Reo.
The Level 3 Te Ao Māori course offers 14-16 credits.
Programme Description:
Te Ao Haka is a culturally responsive art form, providing opportunities for all ākonga to engage in Māori culture, language and traditional practice. Te Ao Haka is founded on traditional knowledge, but is progressive in the development and evolution of the art form.
Rationale: Pathways: Career Pathways: Te Ao Haka provides ākonga with opportunities both within and outside of the subject. The development of Te Ao Haka skills provides lifelong learning and creates viable career pathways that lead on to further studies in areas such as theatre, TV and film, the tourism industry or government. Course Content: At Level 6 of the curriculum, students in Te Ao Haka discover, identify, access, and explore foundational knowledge and ideas in and about Te Ao Haka At Level 7, students explore their own creativity, based on their grounding in Te Ao Haka. They innovate and experiment, exploring their own role and connections within Te Ao Haka. At Level 8, students refine their analysis of Te Ao Haka and their skills in performance. They are able to effectively express narrative and embody their performance.
Assessment: Evidence may be presented through physical demonstration, or other formats, including:
