Māori Studies

Faculty of Māori Studies - Kaipara College

Te Ao Haka | Te Ao Maori | Te Reo Maori 

Ko te reo te taikura o te whakaao mārama

Language is the key to understanding

Te Wharehuia Milroy

What is our Faculty of Māori Studies About?

At Kaipara College, the Māori Faculty is a place where students can immerse themselves in the richness of Te Ao Māori through the study of Te Ao Māori, Te Reo Māori, and Te Ao Haka. Our programmes are designed to foster bilingual and bicultural learners who can confidently navigate both Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Pākehā, contributing to the unique cultural fabric of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Why study Te Reo Māori?

Te Reo Māori is more than just a language - it’s a key that opens the door to understanding Māori culture, identity, and worldview. By learning and embracing Te Reo, students develop not only strong communicative skills but also a deeper understanding of the values, traditions, and knowledge systems that shape Te Ao Māori. 

At Kaipara College, we are committed to supporting the acquisition and improvement of oral language competence, ensuring that our students can engage meaningfully with the language and culture, now and into the future.

The Power of Te Ao Haka

Te Ao Haka is not just a subject; it is a culturally responsive art form that empowers students to engage with Māori culture, language, and tradition. Rooted in traditional Māori knowledge, but evolving and progressive in its practice, Te Ao Haka provides opportunities for all ākonga to:

• Express their identity through performance, language, and art.
• Build connections with their whānau, marae, iwi, hapū, and waka, linking the past, present, and future.
• Celebrate culture and identity, while learning the importance of responsibility, respect, and creating a positive space for others to grow.

Through Te Ao Haka, students understand that their engagement with the art form is both a privilege and a responsibility. It fosters a sense of pride in their cultural contributions and encourages them to help create a supportive environment where others can express themselves and develop their skills.

The Benefits of Studying Te Reo Māori, Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Haka

Engaging with Te Reo Māori, Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Haka at Kaipara College will:

• Enhance bilingual communication skills, enabling students to engage confidently in both Māori and English contexts.
• Deepen cultural knowledge and understanding, fostering respect and empathy for Māori traditions, values, and ways of seeing the world.
• Strengthen identity for Māori students, while offering all students a unique insight into the bicultural fabric of Aotearoa.
• Create future opportunities, both academically and in the wider community, as students who engage with Māori language and culture are well-positioned to contribute to the growth of a more inclusive, culturally aware New Zealand.
• Inspire leadership and pride, equipping students to become advocates for Māori culture and language, while enjoying the creative and expressive elements of Māori performing arts.

Who Should Study in the Māori Faculty?

Our programmes are designed for a diverse range of students, including:

• Māori students reclaiming their heritage language and culture, reconnecting with their whakapapa and developing a sense of pride in their identity.
• Non-Māori students who are beginning their journey into Te Ao Māori, developing a deeper understanding and respect for the Māori worldview, and contributing to the bicultural and bilingual future of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Who Will You Become?

Studying in the Māori Faculty at Kaipara College isn’t just about learning a language or an art form - it’s about understanding who you are and your place in the world. Whether you’re engaging with Te Reo Māori, Te Ao Haka, or Te Ao Māori, you are part of a shared journey that honours the past, strengthens the present, and inspires the future of Aotearoa New Zealand.

We welcome all ākonga, Māori and non-Māori alike, to join us as we explore the beauty, power, and significance of Te Ao Māori. Your journey will not only enrich your understanding of yourself and your community but will also empower you to contribute to the bilingual and bicultural future of Aotearoa New Zealand.

At Kaipara College, we are here to support you every step of the way. Whether you're reconnecting with your whakapapa or just starting to learn about Te Ao Māori, our expert kaiako and kaiāwhina are here to guide you as you embrace the language, culture, and values that make our school and our country so unique.

For more information about our Te Reo Māori or Te Ao Haka programmes, or if you have any questions, please contact the Māori Faculty.

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