Program Overview

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Introduction to Te Aho Paerewa Postgraduate Diploma Teaching and Learning in Māori Medium

Te Aho Paerewa is New Zealand’s first university postgraduate qualification in Māori-medium initial teacher education. This qualification is designed to prepare students to become lead educators and adaptive teachers skilled in kaupapa Māori inquiry learning within the philosophy of Te Aho Matua.

Type of Qualification

• Postgraduate diploma
• Level of study: Postgraduate study (NZQF level 8)
• Time to complete: 1 year full-time (120 credits), part-time available
• Where you can study: Distance and online
• International students: Not open to international students

Key Dates

• Admission application due dates
• Course enrolment dates for accepted students
• Semester dates
• Note: 1 intake at the start of each year, selected entry qualification

Study a Te Aho Paerewa Postgraduate Diploma Teaching and Learning in Māori Medium

Massey’s Te Aho Paerewa is the tertiary sector’s first postgraduate qualification in Māori medium initial teacher education. This qualification will help students develop exemplary approaches to learning and teaching in Kura Kaupapa Māori. Students will learn to practise and develop adaptive expertise in the Māori medium context.

Graduate as a Highly Effective Teacher

Te Aho Paerewa will prepare students to become lead educators and adaptive teachers skilled in kaupapa Māori inquiry learning within the philosophy of Te Aho Matua. The qualification focuses on learning to understand the context of each learner and achieving equitable outcomes for diverse student groups.

He Rangahau, He Mahi, He Ako

Te Aho Paerewa is a field-based qualification. Students will be assigned to a Kura Hāpai once selected onto the qualification, who will host them for the duration of their studies. Through a kaupapa Māori approach, students will share in knowledge that draws together research and practice.

Entry Requirements

• Admission to Massey: All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
• Specific requirements:
  • Have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor’s degree of at least 360 credits with a minimum of a B grade average across the 200- and 300-level courses, or equivalent
  • Have demonstrated fluency in te reo Māori at a level where they can sustain learning in a total immersion Māori environment
  • Have demonstrated competence in literacy and numeracy
  • Meet the requirements for registration as set down by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, in terms of good character and fitness to be a teacher

Application Process

• Applications close on 9 February. Late applications may be considered subject to available places and complete documentation.
• The selection process includes an assessment of the application, an interview, and tests (e.g., te reo and mathematics tests).
• Students will need to provide supporting documents, including a supporting statement, Te Kura Hāpai form, police vetting report, and referee reports.

Structure of the Te Aho Paerewa Postgraduate Diploma Teaching and Learning in Māori Medium

• Te Aho Paerewa Postgraduate Diploma Teaching and Learning in Māori Medium is a parts-based qualification.
• Students must complete the first part and meet some requirements before moving to the second and again to the third.
• If studying full-time, students will take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.

Delivery

• A distinctive feature of this qualification is that courses are taught using the medium of the Māori language through which students are expected to participate.
• The teaching and delivery of all the courses will reflect Te Aho Matua.
• All courses will be delivered via distance learning (online) with face-to-face wānanga.

Location of Study

• Although this qualification is offered via distance learning, students are required to be in New Zealand for the duration.
• The qualification and practicum placements within it are relevant to the Te Marautanga o Te Aho Matua (as it is New Zealand teacher registration that is the ultimate goal) and hence must be done within New Zealand.

Qualification Structure

• Te Aho Paerewa is 120 credits of 1200 hours professional preparation for teaching, including a total of at least 600 hours of practicum during the full-time field-based Kura programme.
• The qualification begins with a wānanga (live-in block course) which will build the essential whanaungatanga amongst the tauira.

Practicum

• Teaching practice is a compulsory component of the degree, and students will be placed in Kura Kaupapa Te Aho Matua, immersion classrooms for the same hours as teachers work.
• Students will be required to pass all teaching practice components of the qualification and associated course work up to 70 days total.

Courses and Specialisations

• Compulsory courses:
  • Te Reo o Te Akomanga: Language of the Classroom (30 credits)
  • Te Uiui ā Akomanga: Inquiry-Based Approaches in Kura Kaupapa Māori (30 credits)
  • Te Marautanga o Te Aho Matua: The Kura Kaupapa Māori Curriculum (30 credits)
  • Tō Te Kura Kawa: Pedagogy and Practice in Kura Kaupapa Māori (30 credits)

Fees and Scholarships

• 2026 tuition fees:
  • Domestic students: $8,489
  • International students: Not applicable
• Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme: Students may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying their fees.
• Scholarship and award opportunities: Massey University Postgraduate Scholarship

Careers and Job Opportunities

• Graduates of this professional initial teacher education qualification will have the knowledge and skills to enter teaching in New Zealand schools.
• They will be eligible to apply for registration as a provisionally registered teacher with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Graduates will be highly competent, knowledgeable, and skilled teachers who are effective, reflective, and creative teachers for Māori immersion settings.

Accreditations and Rankings

• Massey is ranked in the world's top 250 universities for education in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings.

Related Study Options

• Critical Studies in Māori Development – Master of Māori Studies
• Hauora – Master of Māori Studies
• Māori Education – Master of Māori Studies
• Māori Studies – Graduate Certificate in Arts
• Māori Studies – Bachelor of Arts
• Māori Studies – Diploma in Arts
• Māori Studies – Graduate Diploma in Arts
• Postgraduate Diploma in Māori Studies – PGDipMāoriS

Colleges

• Massey Business School
• College of Creative Arts
• College of Health
• College of Humanities and Social Sciences
• College of Sciences

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Disclaimer

• This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment.
• Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any.