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Poupou Whakapiki Mauri
Certificate in Physical Wellbeing
If you are interested in enhancing your mauri ora (vitality) and wanting to take a holistic approach to nutrition and wellbeing then this tohu will introduce you to strategies, principles and philosophies from a Māori world view, relevant to both your individual and whānau wellness journey.
Poupou Whakapiki Mauri
Certificate in Physical Wellbeing
If you are interested in enhancing your mauri ora (vitality) and wanting to take a holistic approach to nutrition and wellbeing then this tohu will introduce you to strategies, principles and philosophies from a Māori world view, relevant to both your individual and whānau wellness journey.
What You'll Learn
Graduates will be able to make informed choices regarding nutrition, exercise, recovery and lifestyle, which reflect kaupapa, tikanga and kawa relevant to Māori wellbeing.
There are four courses within this poupou, each of which utilise:
Aspects of te reo Māori,
Employ Māori health and wellbeing frameworks,
Provide opportunities for the expression of the guiding kaupapa of Te Wānanga o Raukawa
Recognises the importance of tikanga, and
Encourages the development of a kawa for the maintenance of healthy lifestyles
Poupou Whakapiki Mauri is a 16-week online course and is suited for all who wish to enhance their health and wellbeing.
Course Structure
Poupou Whakapiki Mauri is a 16-week certificate offered across two intakes per year. All four papers utilise aspects of te reo Māori, employ Māori health frameworks, provide kaupapa expression opportunities, recognise the importance of tikanga, and encourage the development of healthy lifestyle kawa.
Minimum age of 17 years. Regular internet access, email address, and a computer, laptop, tablet, or mobile device are required.
Year one
Course of Study
PPT1 - Whakatō Mauri
To promote and imbue mauri ora by introducing students to fundamental perspectives and expressions of Māori wellbeing.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
Nil
PPT2 - Whakaoho Mauri
To heighten awareness of whakapiki mauri through introduction to practices that enable the daily activation and stimulation of mauri ora to occur.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
Nil
PPT3 - Whakatupu Mauri
To grow an awareness of historical and contemporary lifestyle factors that can impact and affect Māori wellbeing.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
Nil
PPT4 - Whakatau Mauri
To understand and recognise common risk factors to health and wellbeing that can jeopardise mauri ora and to understand and recognise common protective factors to health and wellbeing that can enhance mauri ora.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
Nil
Iwi and Hapū
Te Reo Māori
Year Two
Course of Study
Iwi and Hapū
Te Reo Māori
Year Three
Course of Study
Iwi and Hapū
Te Reo Māori
How You'll Learn
Fully Online Delivery Complete the programme entirely online — working through each paper at your own pace with tutor support and weekly activities through the online learning platform.
Blended Cohort from Your Marae Prefer to learn with others? This programme can be delivered as a blended cohort from your own marae or community setting — bringing the learning to you.
Two Intakes Per Year Choose from two intake periods — March to June, or July to October — to find the timing that suits your life and commitments.
Practical Application Each paper connects theory directly to practice — applying Māori health and wellbeing frameworks to real decisions about nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle.
Online Seminars (Noho) Engage in online webinars and tutorials with opportunities for discussion and wananga learning.
Please contact your course administrator (Larisa Winterburn: Larisa.Winterburn@twor-otaki.ac.nz)
Is This Course Right For You?
Poupou Whakapiki Mauri will introduce you to strategies, principles and philosophies from a Māori world view, relevant to both your individual and whānau wellness journey. If you are interested in learning how to enhance your mauri ora through a holistic approach, then this tohu is for you.
Reinforcing the value of whakawhanaungatanga this tohu is perfect for individuals and groups as it engages participants in successful and purposeful mauri enhancing activities, which promote daily movement and optimal nutrition.
Te Reo and Iwi and Hapū Studies
Course Code
PpWM
Credits
45
Duration
16 Weeks
NZQA Level
Level 4
Delivery
Fully online or blended cohort from your marae
Locations
Online (NZ-wide) or group cohort at your marae
Mode
Bilingual (Māori/English)
Next Intake
Intake 1: 2 Mar – 21 Jun 2026 | Intake 2: 13 Jul – 25 Oct 2026
Tuition Fees
FREE for New Zealand citizens, domestic students, and permanent residents (residing in NZ or overseas).
“Whakapiki Mauri has changed the way I look at everyday decisions. Whether it’s training, recovery, relationships, kai or the environments we place ourselves in, I now think more deeply about how those choices affect my wellbeing and the wellbeing of those around me.”
Te Rangihuia Henare
Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Huia, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa
Graduate of Whakapiki Mauri
"My why is to inspire students to live the principles of Whakapiki Mauri. The greatest reward is seeing them gain the awareness and confidence to enhance their own wellbeing and that of their whānau and communities."
Larisa Winterburn
Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa
Pūkenga, Whakapiki Mauri
“Before I started Whakapiki Mauri, I wasn’t aware or in tune with te ao Māori. But throughout the course I learnt the importance of tikanga and kawa and was introduced to frameworks like Te Whare Tapa Whā. All of the mātauranga I received helped me tohave a holistic, te ao Māori focused approach to the health of myself and my whānau.”
Jesse Brons
Te Āti Awa
Graduate of Whakapiki Mauri, Heke Kawa Oranga, Heke Reo,
Ākonga Poutuarongo Kaitiakitanga Pūtaiao
“Whakapiki Mauri has changed the way I look at everyday decisions. Whether it’s training, recovery, relationships, kai or the environments we place ourselves in, I now think more deeply about how those choices affect my wellbeing and the wellbeing of those around me.”
Te Rangihuia Henare
Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Huia, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa
Graduate of Whakapiki Mauri
"My why is to inspire students to live the principles of Whakapiki Mauri. The greatest reward is seeing them gain the awareness and confidence to enhance their own wellbeing and that of their whānau and communities."
Larisa Winterburn
Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa
Pūkenga, Whakapiki Mauri
“Before I started Whakapiki Mauri, I wasn’t aware or in tune with te ao Māori. But throughout the course I learnt the importance of tikanga and kawa and was introduced to frameworks like Te Whare Tapa Whā. All of the mātauranga I received helped me tohave a holistic, te ao Māori focused approach to the health of myself and my whānau.”
Jesse Brons
Te Āti Awa
Graduate of Whakapiki Mauri, Heke Kawa Oranga, Heke Reo,
Ākonga Poutuarongo Kaitiakitanga Pūtaiao
Fees & Funding
Year
Course Fees
Year 2
Year 3
Total
Tuition (Approx)
FREE for NZ citizens and permanent residents
FREE
Fees are approximate and may be subject to change. Additional costs may apply for course materials and travel to noho.
Scholarships
Support is available through scholarships to make study more accessible. Find out more.
Additional Funding Options
You may be able to access student loans, allowances, or Fees Free to support your studies. Learn more.
Entry Requirements
Minimum age of 17 years. Regular internet access, email address, and a computer, laptop, tablet, or mobile device are required.
Academic Requirements
Personal Requirements
A strong commitment to developing te reo Māori me ōna tikanga
Ability to attend residential noho at Te Wānanga o Raukawa, Ōtaki
Technology Requirements
-
Regular internet access
-
Email address
-
Computer, laptop, tablet, or suitable mobile device for online learning via Mūrau
Full Requirements
-
For complete entry requirement details, see Appendix One of the Academic Regulations.
Where This Qualification Takes You
Completing this qualification can lead to a variety of career opportunities, including:
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