EIT will launch two postgraduate programmes in creative practice next year and they will be unique as New Zealand’s only applied honours and master degrees steeped in a kaupapa Māori philosophy. Both programmes are to be jointly delivered by Hawke’s Bay’s ideaschool and Tairāwhiti’s Toihoukura, providing students with increased access to two schools of lecturers and artists.

Blended learning incorporating wānanga (seminars) and video conference sessions will allow those enrolling to be based in a location of their choice.

While the programmes are designed for both Pākehā and Māori, they will be particularly attractive to Māori because their delivery will be
within a Māori learning context.

Students are expected to come from a wide range of creative fields. These might include painting, design, weaving, tā moko, carving, sculpture, ceramics, multi-media, web design, screen production, music, service design and fashion.

Currently graduates of the Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design, Te Toi o Ngā Rangi and similar degrees have to leave the regions to engage in postgraduate study in the arts. As a result, their knowledge and talents are lost to Hawke’s Bay and Te Tairāwhiti.

EIT’s Te Hono ki Toi (Poutiri-ā-rangi) – Bachelor of Professional Creative Practice (Honours) and Te Hono ki Toi (Poutiriao) – Master of Professional Creative Practice will address that issue, providing new pathways for their creative journeys.

The honours degree requires a full-time year of study or 2-3 years part-time. The master’s degree encompasses 1½ years of full-time study or 3-4 years part-time.

The strengths of both will be the flexible and individualised programmes offered by schools that have high recognition in New Zealand and overseas.

Both programmes are subject to approval and accreditation.