Study and train at wānanga

Wānanga learning is grounded in kaupapa Māori (ideology) and āhuatanga Māori (tradition). You can study for qualifications at every level in a mātauranga Māori (knowledge) environment that is informed by tikanga Māori (customs).

At the heart of wānanga learning is mātauranga Māori – the concepts of knowledge and ways of knowing brought to Aotearoa by Māori ancestors.

As you learn your chosen subjects, you’ll also learn Māori ways to think about the world around you and how to act with tikanga Māori.

Te reo Māori is an important part of wānanga learning. Te reo is a doorway to the Māori way of looking at the world. Whatever you choose to learn at a wānanga, your knowledge and appreciation of te ao Māori will also grow.

Wānanga welcome ākonga from diverse backgrounds and situations. Many courses have options like distance, online and part-time learning that let you fit study around the rest of your life.

Some courses include noho marae, where you join other ākonga and learn on a marae for a few days at a time.

As a wānanga ākonga, your learning will be lifted by whanaungatanga. You won’t be left on your own – you’ll share experiences with your learning whānau and always have a group of people supporting you.

The learning you experience will depend on the programme you choose.

Wānanga offer a wide range of subjects, levels and learning approaches.

One student could be discovering iwi history on their marae while another completes Te Ōhanga Mataora Bachelor of Health Sciences Māori Nursing.

Learning at a wānanga means you can get qualifications while increasing your understanding of mātauranga Māori and tikanga Māori. You can join a wānanga at any stage of your learning journey and increase your self-confidence and abilities.

A strong understanding of mātauranga Māori is highly valued in many jobs and can lead to leadership opportunities.

The knowledge you gain from wānanga learning will help you to support and strengthen your whānau, hapū and iwi.

As mātauranga Māori is shared with you, so too will you be able to share it with whānau and pass it on to the next generation.

There are three official wānanga in Aotearoa. Visit each wānanga website for more information.

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa

Locations – sites in more than 80 towns and cities 

Distance learning – yes

Qualification levels – Level 1 certificate to Level 9 Master’s degree 

• Te Wānanga o Aotearoa website 

Te Wānanga o Raukawa

Locations – campuses in Ōtaki, Gisborne and Manukau

Distance learning – yes

Qualification levels – Level 4 certificate to Level 9 Master’s degree

• Te Wānanga o Raukawa website

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

Locations – campuses in Whakatāne, Manukau and Whangārei

Distance learning – blended learning – so most courses include noho, wānanga, online learning and self-directed learning

Qualification levels – Level 1 certificate to Level 10 PhD

• Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi website

You must meet the definition of a domestic student to enrol at a wānanga. If you’re a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, you’re a domestic student.

• Definition of a domestic student in New Zealand – Ministry of Education

Programmes have different entry requirements, depending on the subject and level.

Visit the wānanga website to check entry and programme requirements

Depending on what programme you study, you may be able to apply for student loans and allowances, and scholarships.

• Funding your study and training

You can complete a range of courses for free through wānanga, including courses in te reo Māori and tikanga Māori. Check the wānanga websites for details.

• How to apply for study, apprenticeships or training