poutuarongo toiora whānau
bachelor of social work
If you love working with people and assisting whānau to make positive changes in their lives, turn your passion into a career in the social services sector.
Toiora Whānau is a four year degree accredited by the Social Workers Registration Board and provides a uniquely Māori perspective on whānau wellness. Gain the skills and knowledge required to work effectively with Māori to improve the social wellbeing of whānau, hapū and iwi. Drawing on kaupapa tuku iho (inherited values) you will be able to plan and implement measures that contribute to the wellbeing of Māori, their communities, and therefore the nation.
Your journey will be steeped in mātauranga Maōri and whakawhanaungatanga as you explore and apply Māori models of practice to support whānau wellness. Be prepared to take an in-depth look into the concept of whānau and how it relates to this changing world. Acquire skills in kaupapa Māori research, community project development, social policy and legislation. During the third and fourth years of the degree you will undertake two 60-day placements within the health and social services sector, that will provide valuable opportunities to apply your learnings, in two different fields of practice.
As a Toiora Whānau practitioner you will be sought after for the skills gained in developing and implementing Māori models of practice, change strategies and evaluating the performance of such strategies and action plans. Completion of the degree will enable you to apply for registration with the Social Workers Registration Board and work as a registered social worker in Aotearoa.
If you want to improve the lives of whānau in an empowering, holistic way through a Māori world view, this qualification is for you.
To enrol in this qualification you must first complete the Heke Toiora Whānau which is a one year diploma and the first year towards this four year qualification.
TE REO AND IWI AND HAPŪ STUDIES
Iwi, hapū and te reo Māori studies are an integral part of each year of study and contribute to the knowledge you will gain. You will complete weekly tutorials and activities in Te Reo via our online space, Mūrau. These not only prepare you to attend two six-day long hui rumaki reo on campus each year, but will further enhance your Toiora Whānau journey as you learn the value and mana our language holds in the social services space. Yes, it can be scary, but you will not be taking the journey alone nor do you need to have any reo to begin! You will be guided every step of the way with tutor support.
You will also study two papers in Iwi and Hapū studies to compliment your learning. These are often the most rewarding part of study, as students gain a deep connection back to their roots. Your Iwi and Hapū papers will be online with excellent tutor support to help you through week by week activities. The assignments that you complete will become a taonga and resource for your whānau, marae, iwi and will be treasured for years to come.
Te Reo and Iwi and Hapū studies begin online in the first week of the academic year, so you can begin your studies before your first Toiora Whānau noho. You will also get the opportunity to meet your reo and iwi and hapū pūkenga during your first noho on campus.
Code:
PTW
Credits:
480
Duration:
4 years
Level:
NZQA Level 7
Delivery:
Residential seminars, self directed learning and online delivery
Mode:
Bilingual (Māori/English)
Next Intake:
17 Feb - 26 Oct 2025
Tuition Fees:
$12,182.96 (approximately)
Total cost for the full 4 year course.
Entry Requirements:
Minimum age of 17 years, preference is given to mature applicants with life experience. Applicants under 20 years must have UE; or equivalent. Yearly police vetting. Regular internet access, email address and computer or laptop with a working mic and camera are required. For more information on entry requirements see appendix one of the academic regulations.
Curriculum
Marautanga
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
Year Four
Calendar
Maramataka
Please contact your course administrator (Amokura Carkeek ext 712) for details.
After Graduation
Ka puta te ihu
This qualification will enable you to work effectively with whānau, hapū and iwi from a unique kaupapa Māori perspective. Successful completion of the degree will enable you to apply to become a Registered Social Worker in Aotearoa, and work in various fields of practice, including (but are not limited to):
- Whānau Ora
- Iwi Social Services
- Māori health providers
- Rangatahi/Youth support
- Social Work in Schools
- Care and Protection & Youth Justice
- Health, mental health and disability support
- Corrections
why te wānanga o raukawa
Distinctively Māori
Te Wānanga o Raukawa is a unique centre for higher learning and development, dedicated to the dissemination of Māori knowledge.
Higher Level Māori Learning
With a strong wish to see Māori achieving at the highest levels of education, Te Wānanga o Raukawa has positioned itself to cater specifically to higher level undergraduate, graduate and post graduate Māori students.
Pioneering Māori Education
Te Wānanga o Raukawa was established in 1981 as the first contemporary wānanga of Aotearoa, pioneering the application of kaupapa, tikanga, kawa to the advancement of Māori within a contemporary education context.