EIT is offering wānanga programmes that are extending the opportunity for learning te reo Māori and Māori customs and traditions to groups and organisations out in the community.

The Hastings District Council, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Social Development are among those availing themselves of the opportunity to study EIT’s Levels 2 and 4 Certificates in Māori Studies in a learning environment that blends off-campus classes with weekends spent on EIT’s Te Ara o Tāwhaki marae.

The learning covered in each of the free programmes equates to the 17-week full-time study programmes offered at Te Ūranga Waka. 

EIT’s Māori and Pasifika liaison advisor Lee Kershaw says the off-campus classes make the programmes more accessible for those who have limited time to study. 

“Business organisations are among those attracted by this opportunity,” Kershaw says, “although Te Ūranga Waka will work with any group comprising 12-15 students, offering the one evening a week classes at a location of their choice.

“They can start with the Level 2 programme, which is designed for beginners wanting to learn basic te reo Māori and tikanga, and then progress to the pre-degree Level 4 certificate.”

The programmes attract all ages and many of those enrolling are Pākehā wanting to know more about the Māori world view.

Kershaw says the high calibre tutors are also drawcards for the programmes.