Te Reo Māori for Teachers
Level 3 - Kia tipu, kia whai hua!
Kia tipu, kia whai hua – Level 3 is designed for educators ready to lead with reo and tikanga Māori in their kura. This advanced course strengthens language fluency, deepens understanding of mātauranga and tikanga Māori, and equips teachers to design rich, culturally sustaining learning experiences. With a focus on regional relevance and school-wide integration, kaiako will explore complex sentence structures, refine their mihi, develop strategic reo Māori plans, and create high-quality resources. Ideal for those confident in foundational reo and looking to step into kaupapa Māori leadership, this course supports meaningful, long-term change in teaching practice and school culture.
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Te Reo Māori for Teachers
Kia tipu, kia whai hua!
Te Reo Māori for Teachers – Level 3 is a 7-week course for experienced educators ready to embed te reo and tikanga Māori.
This course sharpens fluency, introduces more advanced grammar structures, and supports the delivery of formal mihi, storytelling, and spontaneous kōrero. Participants will explore deeper concepts of mātauranga and tikanga Māori, engage in critical reflection, and build capacity for kaupapa Māori leadership.
From developing school-wide reo strategies to designing high-impact bilingual resources, this course equips kaiako to create meaningful, culturally sustaining change within their teaching spaces and beyond.
Ngā Putanga Ako
Course overview
This course empowers teachers to confidently develop their reo Māori, deepen cultural understanding, and design rich, culturally sustaining learning experiences. The focus shifts from classroom application to whole-school impact, regional relevance, and kaupapa Māori leadership.
1. Language Acquisition and Development
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Use a wide vocabulary set with fluency across formal, informal, and subject-specific contexts.
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Construct more complex sentence structures using passive voice (reremahi hāngū), stative sentences (reretūoti), and causative constructions.
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Confidently lead mihi using appropriate structure, tone, and formality for various contexts.
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Analyse advanced metaphors appropriately in teaching, school communication, and values-based messaging.
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Use te reo Māori for spontaneous conversations and storytelling with sustained accuracy and flow.
2. Understanding Tikanga and Mātauranga Māori
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Apply tikanga Māori with depth and precision, including kawa and variations across iwi and hapū contexts.
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Explore and teach concepts of mātauranga Māori such as mana motuhake, hauora Māori, and intergenerational knowledge transmission.
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Critically evaluate how school systems, language choices, and curriculum design align (or clash) with kaupapa Māori frameworks.
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Facilitate and support culturally responsive practices across teaching areas.
3. Incorporating Te Reo Māori into the Curriculum and Classroom
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Lead the development of a strategic reo Māori plan for your classroom, team, or kura.
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Develop and implement thematic, inquiry-based units that centre te ao Māori and te reo Māori.
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Integrate place-based learning (ako ā-rohe) through local iwi history, pūrākau, and landscape narratives.
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Use te reo Māori confidently in staff meetings, assemblies, and professional learning spaces.
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Support other kaiako in embedding reo and tikanga across learning areas.
4. Resource Development
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Design advanced resources (e.g. bilingual curriculum plans, digital content, pūrākau-based units) that support deep integration of reo and mātauranga Māori.
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Collaborate with mana whenua or Māori advisors to ensure cultural accuracy and local relevance.
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Develop school-wide visual language environments (e.g. signage, values displays, digital platforms) that reflect te reo Māori and local identity.
Term 3 Course Dates
Select ONE:
1. Tuesday: 3.30pm - 5.00pm
2. Tuesday: 5.15pm - 6.45pm
*Commences Tuesday 22nd July for 7 weeks
3. Wednesday: 3.30pm - 5.00pm
4. Wednesday: 5.15pm - 6.45pm
*Commences Wednesday 23rd July for 7 weeks
4. Thursday: 3.30pm - 5.00pm
5. Thursday: 5.15pm - 6.45pm
*Commences Thursday 24th July for 7 weeks
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Our course is delivered by a team of highly experienced kaiako reo Māori, who bring expertise from both senior leadership roles and classroom teaching.
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Each session runs for 1.5 hours per week, with flexible options to choose the day that suits you best.
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If you’re unable to attend your regular session, you’re welcome to join another stream.
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All sessions are recorded and uploaded to our course portal immediately after class, allowing you to catch up at your convenience.
We also offer a Level 3 Self-Directed option for this course. Through this mode, you’ll receive weekly resources, tasks, interactive activities, and learning opportunities to complete at your own pace. The workload is approximately 1.5 hours per week over 10 weeks.
You’ll also have access to live tutorials to refine your learning and discuss key concepts, as well as an online learning community where you can connect with others in the course if you’d like additional support.
