Piki ake, kake ake i te toi huarewa, te ara o Tawhaki, i piki ai ki runga
"Climb hither, ascend by the suspended way, the pathway of Tawhaki when he ascended on high"
The need to learn and speak the Maori language is greater than ever before. This is particularly so as the number of native speakers of Maori dwindles each day among old people. Young Maori are now realising that they are the kaumatua of tomorrow and that the ongoing survival of the language is critical in order to fulfill their cultural needs.
Furthermore, as the Maori language has become more available to children, particularly through kohanga reo and kura kaupapa, parents have become conscious of the need to keep up with their children´s knowledge of Te Reo Maori.
There are also vocational reasons for learning the Maori language. Many employers now prefer bilingual and bicultural employees, especially since Te Reo Maori became an official language of New Zealand.
The EIT Hawke´s Bay Faculty of Maori Studies (Te Manga Maori) offers you a range of programmes in Maori language and culture from beginners through to advanced level.
Two major programme types are on offer and run alongside each other:
The 17 week Certificate in Maori Studies provides a foundation of skills and competencies that will enable students to progress further into tertiary studies. A 17 week Certificate in Maori Students (Advanced) will provide further extension and will staircase into the Bachelor of Arts (Maori), other EIT programmes or employment.
The four year EIT degree programme is comprised of:
- Bachelor of Arts (Maori) (3 years)
- Bachelor of Arts Honours (Maori) (1 year)
Also on offer are an introductory Maori language degree paper; as well as a number of short courses in Maori language and culture.
|