heke whakaakoranga kōhungahunga
diploma in teaching (early childhood)
Kia Māori ā tātou mokopuna!
Turn your passion and existing work in your Kōhanga Reo, puna or early childhood centre into a career as you learn to nurture and develop the Māori world view within our tamariki and mokopuna.
In this course you are introduced to the foundations of the philosophies of early childhood teaching from a mātauranga Māori perspective. You will gain an appreciation for te reo Māori as you undertake in-depth study on the language and its context in early childhood education. Develop and gain the necessary skills to become confident to contribute to the growth and development of a new generation in an early childcare setting.
This is the first year of the degree programme, combined with te reo and iwi and hapū studies, graduates of the heke will be able to fulfil their roles as kaiāwhina, teacher aide or go on to further advanced study with the Poutuarongo Whakaakoranga Kōhungahunga degree programme to become a certified teacher.
TeachNZ have scholarships that support this teaching qualification. See their website for more details https://www.teachnz.govt.nz/scholarships or visit our scholarships page.
TE REO AND IWI AND HAPŪ STUDIES
Over the year, you will complete weekly tutorials and activities in Te Reo via our online space, Mūrau. These not only prepare you to attend two hui rumaki reo on campus each year (one per semester); but will further enhance your kōhungahunga journey as you learn the value and mana our language holds in the teaching and learning 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 for the majority of our students as they 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 in the first week of the academic year, so you can begin your studies before your first specialisation noho. You will also get the opportunity to meet your reo and iwi and hapū pūkenga during your first noho on campus.
Code:
HWK
Credits:
120
Duration:
1 year
Level:
NZQA Level 5
Delivery:
Residential seminars, self directed learning and online delivery
Location:
Mode:
Bilingual (Māori/English)
Next Intake:
17 Feb - 26 Oct 2025
Tuition Fees:
$3,465.13 (approximately)
Entry Requirements:
Applicants under the age of 20 must have university entrance (UE) or the equivalent to UE. The literacy, numeracy and ITC competency assessments will be used to ensure that applicants over the age of 20 meet comparable literacy and numeracy requirements as those entering with UE. Applicants will also demonstrate an intermediate to advanced level of te reo Māori and have a strong commitment to progress te reo Māori me ōna tikanga in their teaching practice. Students will require regular internet access, email address and computer, laptop, tablet or other suitable mobile device is required. For more information on entry requirements see appendix one of the academic regulations.
Curriculum
Marautanga
Year One
After Graduation
Ka puta te ihu
- Teacher aide
- Childcare support worker
- Kaiāwhina or Kaitautoko in a learning environment
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.