Te Ata Māhina - Extend your insight into Māori Language, Customs and Worldview | Blended

Te Ata Māhina widens the gateway to confidently engaging with te ao Māori. It extends on the learnings from Te Ata Pō. 

Build confidence in pronouncing te reo Māori, with a particular focus on vowel blends. Demonstrate manaakitanga (care and respect) by using formal and informal greetings to welcome and farewell guests. Participate in whanaungatanga (creating connections) by introducing yourself appropriately in formal and informal situations. Show manaakitanga (care and respect) by asking and answering how someone is feeling. 

Through practical activities, interactive in-person classes, and self-directed online learning, Te Ata Māhina continues to strengthen your cultural capability while supporting your personal and professional growth. 

Continue your connection with Aotearoa’s unique heritage. 

To get the most out of Te Ata Māhina, learners should have: 

• A basic foundation in te reo Māori (e.g., greetings, simple sentences, pronunciation) 

• Introductory knowledge of tikanga Māori and te ao Māori concepts 

• Completion of Te Ata Pō or an equivalent introductory course is recommended but not required if you have prior experience in the following: 

• Confidence with pronunciation 
• Use of basic formal and informal greetings and farewells for everyday contexts.  
• Able to introduce yourself briefly in te reo Māori with simple sentences (Ko...tōku ingoa.  Nō...ahau. He...taku mahi.) 
• Some experience with basic, everyday karakia prayers/incantations) and waiata tautoko songs to support the speaker). 
• Have a basic understanding of Māori world view principles such as manaakitanga and whanaungatanga 

Key areas explored in this course include: 

Topics 

1. Pronunciation Skills 

• Focus on vowel blends for accurate te reo Māori pronunciation. 

• Correctly pronounce commonly mispronounced words 

2. Greetings and Farewells 

• Use formal and informal greetings to welcome and farewell guests  

• Extend greetings and farewells to a person or group, by including various, appropriate terms of address 

3. Introductions 

• Introduce yourself using conventions of mihimihi 

• Extend your mihimihi to Include the geographic location of where you grew up or are currently living. 

4. Basic Conversations 

• Ask and answer how someone is feeling 

5. Application of Cultural Principles 

• Demonstrate manaakitanga (care and respect) when greeting others and asking how they are. 

• Demonstrate manaakitanga and whanaungatanga through the practice of mihimihi (introductions) 

Your course will be led by an experienced facilitator, qualified in Māori language, tikanga, and cultural capability education. They will bring extensive expertise and a passion for Māori education to guide you throughout your learning journey. 

All Te Ata Māhina facilitators are selected for their: 

• Strong command of te reo Māori 

• Deep understanding of Māori worldview, and cultural practices 

• Experience delivering safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environments 

• Ability to support learners at all levels 

• Commitment to empowering participants with confidence and cultural insight 

Delivery Mode: Blended – Facilitated in person 

Duration: 20 hours of learning across 4 weeks  

(Approximately 10 hours with a facilitator + 10 hours of self-directed learning with online resources). 
 
Course Materials: Content hosted in our online learning platform (Moodle) 

Delivery Mode: Live Online – Facilitated online 

Duration: 20 hours of learning across 4 weeks  

(Approximately 10 hours with a facilitator + 10 hours of self-directed learning with online resources). 
 
Course Materials: Content hosted in our online learning platform (Moodle) 

• There are no formal assessments for this course.
• There are tasks and quizzes to help you test your knowledge. These can be done multiple times if needed.
• An electronic printable certificate will be provided on successful completion of the course.

Transfers, Credits, and Refunds 

Check our Terms & Conditions for full policy details and eligibility criteria. 

Terms and Conditions - Te Wānanga o Aotearoa 

Can I access the materials after the course? 

Yes. Although Te Ata Māhina is delivered over a four-week period, participants will have full access to all learning activities for eight weeks from the course start date, followed by an additional four weeks of read-only access to review their learning. Access to the facilitator is available only for the duration of the four-week course delivery period. 

Are there assessments? 

No. There are no formal assessments for this course. However, the programme includes tasks and quizzes designed to support and reinforce learning, and these may be completed and repeated as many times as required. 

Will I receive a certificate of completion? 

Yes. Certificates of completion will be emailed to participants upon successful completion of the course, if registration requirements have been met and payment has been received. 

Are there early bird discounts? 

Yes. For blended delivery, a two hundred dollar early bird discount is available for registrations and payments completed more than six weeks prior to the course start date. 

Can I register for multiple courses? 

Yes. Participants may register for multiple courses. For the best learning experience, it is recommended that courses are scheduled in a way that allows learners to focus on completing one course at a time. 

Is support available? 

Yes. Support is available through the online learning community. The facilitator provides learning support for the duration of the four-week course delivery period. Participants are also encouraged to engage with their cohort and participate in peer-to-peer support. For direct enquiries, participants may contact the team via the web form at https://tearawai.twoa.ac.nz/contact-us. 

Can I enrol with friends or colleagues? 

Yes. Enrolling with family members, friends, and or colleagues is strongly encouraged and can enhance the overall learning experience. 

What if I fall behind? 

If life gets busy, do not worry. Participants will continue to have access to the course materials beyond the delivery period, allowing them to revisit content and progress at their own pace. Learners are also encouraged to connect with their peer group for additional support. If further assistance is required, participants may contact the team via the web form at https://tearawai.twoa.ac.nz/contact-us. 

Te Arawai | Partnerships Team:  

Please use our contact form to contact us: https://tearawai.twoa.ac.nz/contact-us.  

Call Centre Hours: Between the hours of 8am – 5pm NZDT.  

NZ Free Phone:  0800 355 553