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Student Experience
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What You'll Learn
Students will complete three, eight-week teaching placements in a centre. The Poutuarongo is awarded to those who successfully complete three years of study.
As part of the programme you will participate in weekly tutorials with your Pūkenga.
The Poutuarongo Whakaakoranga Kohungahunga, Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood), is NZQA accredited and approved by Matatū Aotearoa | Teaching Council Aotearoa, New Zealand.
TeachNZ Scholarships are available. Check on the Teach NZ website for more information.
To enrol in this qualification you must first complete the Heke Whakaakoranga Kohungahunga which is a one year diploma and the first year towards the three year qualification.
Course Structure
Poutuarongo Whakaakoranga Kōhungahunga is a three-year NZQA accredited bachelor's degree, approved by Matatū Aotearoa. Year One is completed through the Heke Whakaakoranga Kōhungahunga. Three eight-week teaching placements occur across the three years.
Applicants under the age of 20 must have university entrance (UE) or the equivalent to UE. The literacy, numeracy and ITC competency assessments will be used to ensure that applicants over the age of 20 meet comparable literacy and numeracy requirements as those entering with UE
Year one
Course of Study
PWKA101 - Te Ūkaipō 1
Students will develop an awareness of the perspectives and practices relating to the survival of te reo Māori and its potential contribution to early childhood education.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
Nil
PWKA102 - He Kete Mātauranga
To understand and appreciate the value of good observation, reflection and assessment skills in order to gain an awareness of the mokopuna in the context of his or her total environment.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
Nil
PWKA103 - Te Tamaiti Me Tōna Taiao
To extend students’ knowledge of stimulating learning environments, how these impact the growth and development of young children, with an appreciation of mātauranga Māori early childhood curriculum and legal requirements.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
Nil
PWKA104 - Te Ira Tangata
To extend the students’ knowledge of mātauranga Māori child rearing practices and child developmental stages.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
Nil
Iwi and Hapū
IWI101 - Private Study of One Marae
To conduct a private study of one marae in order to identify and strengthen connections to ‘the marae as our principal home’.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
Nil
IWI102 - Private Study of Iwi History
To study and describe the major historical features of a selected iwi to strengthen identity.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
Nil
Te Reo Māori
REO101 Hui Rumaki Reo 1
The overall aim of the year one reo programme encourages analysis of basic grammar through the online course; an introduction to written Māori; research through self-directed learning and oral practice in the Māori language through Hui Rumaki Reo with an emphasis on marae activities.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
Nil
REO102 Hui Rumaki Reo 2
The overall aim of the year one reo programme encourages analysis of basic grammar through the online course; an introduction to written Māori; research through self-directed learning and oral practice in the Māori language through Hui Rumaki Reo with an emphasis on marae activities.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
REO101 or equivalent experience
Year Two
Course of Study
PWKA201 - Te Ūkaipō 2
That students investigate the necessary practices, processes and strategies required to revitalise te reo Māori by an early childhood whānau inspired with the desire for te reo Māori.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
PWKA101 or equivalent
PWKA202 - Te Kete Mātauranga 2
That students strengthen their understanding of management strategies and associated policies to enhanceengagement and working with whānau within an early childhood setting.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
PWKA102 or equivalent
PWKA203 - Te Tamaiti Me Tona Taiao 2
To extend students’ knowledge of te taiao to reaffirm for mokopuna their whakapapa connection to te taiao.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
PWKA103 or equivalent
PWKA204 - Te Ira Tangata 2
To explore theory, that ensures effective facilitation of learning for mokopuna from a kaupapa Māori early childhood perspective.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
PWKA104 or equivalent
Iwi and Hapū
IWI201 - Private Study of One Hapū
To examine the major features and characteristics of a selected hapū in order to deepen our understanding of hapū origins and group survival.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
IWI Y1 or equivalent
IWI202 - Selected Private Studies
Students will gain a deeper appreciation of the cultural significance of a taonga to a selected hapū and/or iwi, and it’s role in strengthening, maintaining and enhancing relationships.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
IWI Y1 or equivalent
Te Reo Māori
REO201 Hui Rumaki Reo 1
The overall aim of the year two reo programme encourages further analysis of grammar through the online course; more developed techniques into researching the language through self-directed learning and oral practice in the Māori language through Hui Rumaki Reo with an emphasis on marae activities and an accumulation of ‘flying time’.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
REO1, MAIT1, REO101W, REO101M ētehi atu wheako rānei e rite ana ki ēnei.
REO202 Hui Rumaki Reo 2
The overall aim of the year two reo programme encourages further analysis of grammar through the online course; more developed techniques into researching the language through self-directed learning and oral practice in the Māori language through Hui Rumaki Reo with an emphasis on marae activities and an accumulation of ‘flying time’.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
REO201 or equivalent experience.
Year Three
Course of Study
PWKA301 - Te Ūkaipō 3
Students will create a Māori language revitalisation plan for their early childhood education setting inclusive of the whānau, mokopuna and kaimahi.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
PWKA201 or equivalent
PWKA302 - He Kete Mātauranga 3
Students will apply mātauranga Māori concepts and philosophies within the curriculum in assessment, evaluation and appraisals and acknowledging the Ngā Paerewa me Ngā Matatika.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
PWKA202 or equivalent
PWKA303 - Te Tamaiti Me Tona Taiao 3
Students will have an advanced level of planning and managing environments for mokopuna and a comprehensive knowledge of the impact of government regulations in early childhood settings.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
PWKA204 or equivalent
PWKA304 - Te Ira Tangata 3
To examine the critical role of kaiako as competent guardians and kaiako of the oral literature traditions of our ancestors.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
PWKA203 or equivalent
Iwi and Hapū
IWI301 - Oral Literature Studies
To advance the students understanding of the intergenerational transmission of kōrero tuku iho in pre 1900’s Māori oral literature.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
IWI Y2 or it’s equivalent
IWI302 - Hapū and Iwi Performance
To be able to assess the performance of a hapū or iwi and formulate strategies to enhance the prosperity of hapū or iwi
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
IWI Y2 or it’s equivalent
Te Reo Māori
REO301 Hui Rumaki Reo 1
The overall aim of the year three reo programme encourages deeper analysis of grammar through online learning activities; developed research techniques into acquiring the language through self-directed learning, oral practice in the language in a range of formal and informal situations with care and attention given to a higher degree of accuracy and quality in the language through Hui Rumaki Reo activities and accumulating more ‘flying time’ encourages creative thought with a continued emphasis on marae activities.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
REO2 or MAIT2, REO201W, REO201M, REO201, REO202
REO302 Hui Rumaki Reo 2
The overall aim of the year three reo programme encourages deeper analysis of grammar through online learning activities; developed research techniques into acquiring the language through self-directed learning, oral practice in the language in a range of formal and informal situations with care and attention given to a higher degree of accuracy and quality in the language through Hui Rumaki Reo activities and accumulating more ‘flying time’ encourages creative thought with a continued emphasis on marae activities.
Credits:
15
Pre-requisite:
REO301
How You'll Learn
Residential Seminars (Noho) Attend on-campus noho at Te Wānanga o Raukawa for intensive teaching and learning alongside your cohort.
Weekly Online Tutorials via Mūrau Complete weekly te reo tutorials online, plus two hui rumaki reo on campus each year (one per semester).
Teaching Practicums Three eight-week supervised placements in early childhood centres across your three years.
Iwi and Hapū Papers Two papers per year delivered online with weekly tutor support — enriching your teaching with the knowledge of your own iwi and hapū.
Online Seminars (Noho) Engage in online webinars and tutorials with opportunities for discussion and wananga learning.
Please contact the academic area for more information.
Is This Course Right For You?
(This course is taught in te reo Māori and English).
Poutuarongo Whakaakoranga Kohungahunga, Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood), is the undergraduate degree programme that follows on from the first year of study.
Early Childhood teachers are skilled, competent, and knowledgeable in nurturing young children from birth to five years old. Combined with te reo and iwi and hapū studies advances the practical application of teaching and learning concepts, drawing from experience in early childhood centres, in a bilingual context.
Te Reo and Iwi and Hapū Studies
Each year, you will complete weekly tutorials and activities in Te Reo via our online space, Mūrau. These not only prepare you to attend two hui rumaki reo on campus each year (one per semester); but will further enhance your kōhungahunga journey as you learn the value and mana our language holds in the teaching and learning space. Yes, it can be scary, but you will not be taking the journey alone nor do you need to have any reo to begin! You will be guided every step of the way with tutor support.
You will also study two papers each year towards Iwi and Hapū studies to compliment your learning, these are often the most rewarding part of study for the majority of our students as they gain a deep connection back to their roots. Your Iwi and Hapū papers will be online with excellent tutor support to help you through, week by week activities. The assignments that you complete will become a taonga and resource for your whānau, marae, iwi and will be treasured for years to come.
Te Reo and Iwi and Hapū studies begin in the first week of the academic year, so you can begin your studies before your first specialisation noho. You will also get the opportunity to meet your reo and iwi and hapū pūkenga during your first noho on campus.
Course Code
PWK
Credits
360
Duration
3 Years
NZQA Level
Level 7
Delivery
Residential seminars, self-directed learning, and online delivery
Locations
Te Wānanga o Raukawa, Ōtaki
Mode
Bilingual (Māori/English)
Next Intake
16-Feb-26
Tuition Fees
Year 1: See Heke Whakaakoranga Kōhungahunga fees
Year 2: $3,495.85 (approx.)
Year 3: $3,525.50 (approx.)
Years 2 & 3 Total: $7,021.35
“I love that the approach is supporting whānau raising mokopuna versus teaching children.”
Renee Johnstone-Kerehoma
Ngāti Huia, Ngāti Raukawa, Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Muaūpoko
Pūkenga Matua, Whakaakoranga Kōhungahunga
"It means at lot to be a kaiako and to nuture the young who will one day become our leaders. I have five kids of my own, I love tamariki and I just feel I have so much to give them. Te Wānanga o Raukawa has been a great place to study. I started with very little reo and had very little experience in te ao Māori. But studying here has awoken something which I just want to continue to explore and just grow on that."
"Throughout my studies, I have learned about a range of educational theorists and childcare approaches. I feel confident that I have gained strong knowledge of best practices in early childhood education and I am enjoying applying what I have learned in my daily work with tamariki."
“I love that the approach is supporting whānau raising mokopuna versus teaching children.”
Renee Johnstone-Kerehoma
Ngāti Huia, Ngāti Raukawa, Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Muaūpoko
Pūkenga Matua, Whakaakoranga Kōhungahunga
"It means at lot to be a kaiako and to nuture the young who will one day become our leaders. I have five kids of my own, I love tamariki and I just feel I have so much to give them. Te Wānanga o Raukawa has been a great place to study. I started with very little reo and had very little experience in te ao Māori. But studying here has awoken something which I just want to continue to explore and just grow on that."
Tracey Hollands
Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Graduate of Poutuarongo Whakaakoranga Kōhungahunga
"Throughout my studies, I have learned about a range of educational theorists and childcare approaches. I feel confident that I have gained strong knowledge of best practices in early childhood education and I am enjoying applying what I have learned in my daily work with tamariki."
Alize Apera-Ngaha
Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Mahuta
Ākonga, Poutuarongo Whakaakoranga Kōhungahunga
Fees & Funding
Year
Year 1 (Heke Diploma)
Year 2
Year 3
Total (Years 2 & 3)
Tuition (Approx)
See Heke Whakaakoranga Kōhungahunga fees
$3,495.85 (approx.)
$3,525.50 (approx.)
$7,021.35
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
Applicants under the age of 20 must have university entrance (UE) or the equivalent to UE. The literacy, numeracy and ITC competency assessments will be used to ensure that applicants over the age of 20 meet comparable literacy and numeracy requirements as those entering with UE
Academic Requirements
Personal Requirements
A strong commitment to developing te reo Māori me ōna tikanga
Willingness to incorporate te reo into your teaching practice
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:
Early Childhood Teacher
Education Advisor
Kaiwhakaako Māori
Policy Analyst
Private Teacher / Tutor
Special Education Teacher
Tertiary Lecturer
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