New Zealand Diploma in Te Reo (Rumaki) Level 5
LEVEL 5 Diploma | 120 Credits | 1 Year Full-Time
Level 5 Diploma
Ready to take a leap of faith? This programme is a one-year full-time intensive that will get you conversationally fluent by the time you graduate. Move from a beginner to an intermediate-level speaker through this accelerated learning experience.
The Te Reo Ihirangi programme leads to the Te Pōkairua Reo (Rumaki) (Te Kaupae 5) / New Zealand Diploma in Te Reo (Rumaki) (Level 5).
Te Reo Ihirangi is aimed at students who want to take their te reo Māori journey to the next level. Classes are based onsite at our Henderson campus, within a full immersion environment. Every week will be packed with a variety of classes, individual and group work, kapa haka, karakia, guest speakers, and the occasional off-campus haerenga.
- Fully participate within contexts using only te reo Māori;
- Express their ideas and theories within a wide variety of situations with fluency and confidence;
- Recall and integrate a wide range of language devices into their everyday speech;
- Articulate and demonstrate sound technical knowledge in te reo Māori;
- Contribute to language revitalisation efforts within their own whānau, hapū, iwi, and hāhi.
| LEVEL | 5, 120 credits |
| DURATION | One year full-time (there is only one intake per year in Feb) |
| TIMETABLE |
9 Feb – 13 Nov 2026 There are also two compulsory noho-marae for this programme (dates TBC) |
| HOLIDAYS | Our study breaks follow the school holidays |
| PLACES | Expressions of Interest open |
| LOCATION | Henderson Campus |
| CLASS TIMES |
Monday to Thursday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Friday – No classes (although one-on-one tutorials are available with your kaiako) |
| Topic 1: Hokinga Mahara (Strengthening Foundations) | 15 Credits |
| Topic 2: Ngā Āhutanga o Te Reo – Taumata 5 (Linguistic Elements) |
15 Credits |
| Topic 3: Kōrero Nehe (Oral Traditions) | 15 Credits |
| Topic 4: He Reo Ora (History of Te Reo) | 15 Credits |
| Topic 5: Ngā Kōrero ā-iwi (Tribal Narratives) | 15 Credits |
| Topic 6: He Pūrongorongo (Current Affairs) | 15 Credits |
| Topic 7: Ngā Kōrero Whakarākei (Linguistic Embellishments) | 15 Credits |
| Topic 8: He Hui Marae (Marae Gatherings) | 15 Credits |
To enrol in this programme, a potential student must:
- be at least 16 years of age
- be a New Zealand citizen (or a citizen of Australia, Tokelau, Niue, or the Cook Islands) or a permanent resident
- reside in New Zealand
- have successfully completed a te reo Māori qualification at Level 4
- meet with a kaiako to discuss course workload and commitment
OR
- successfully complete the pre-entry assessment
- meet with a kaiako to discuss course workload and commitment
How do I know if Level 5 is right for me?
Our students tend to do really well—across all our programmes, we have a pass rate of over 93%. Those who have found it challenging often faced unexpected whānau circumstances or began the programme without a strong enough foundation in te reo to stay confident in their learning. If you already have a Level 4 te reo Māori qualification, or you’re able to pass the pre-entry test, you’re in a strong position to thrive (see our entry criteria for more info).
Does everyone get accepted?
Unfortunately not. Because spaces are limited and we prioritise wrap-around support, we can’t offer a place to everyone who applies. We take time with each application to make sure the fit is right for both you and us—we want to set you up to succeed.
How can I give myself the best shot at an interview?
Your Expression of Interest is your first opportunity to introduce yourself. Put care into what you share—be open, thoughtful, and honest. It helps us understand your journey, what draws you to the wānanga, and how we can support you in your learning.
Te Wānanga Ihorangi is working in partnership with Te Wānanga Amorangi (Laidlaw College) to deliver these programmes. Both Diplomas in Te Reo Māori are held and administered through Te Wānanga Amorangi, and our students will be formally enrolled at both institutions.
Students will experience a distinctive Māori-led kaupapa in Te Wānanga Ihorangi’s immersive learning community and campus. However, one of the great benefits of the partnership is that our students will also have access to the support and systems of Te Wānanga Amorangi as well. Te Wānanga Amorangi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest Christian tertiary college, it is a Category 1 Private Training Establishment, and teaches programmes from Certificate to Doctoral level.
More information can be found on them here, and more details about our partnership can be read in our faqs here.
Pōhewatia te anamata
“This language learning journey has been deeply personal. I am the first in four generations to receive moko kauae—a significant reclamation of identity and whakapapa. We hail from Whangaroa, a place where missionaries landed and left a lasting impact—both enriching and challenging. I will forever be grateful for the intergenerational impact Te Wānanga Ihorangi has had on my whakapapa, past, present, and future.”
Aysha Kefira Peters (NgāPuhi),
Te Reo Ihirangi Level 5 Diploma Graduate
Expression of Interest
Find out more information about the application process here.
Mēnā e tono ana koe i te taumata tuarima (DipTRMāori L5) he kōwhiringa tāu ki te tuhi ō whakaaro ki te reo Māori, reo Pākehā rānei.
If you are applying for Level 5 (DipTRMāori L5), you can decide if you write your answers in te reo Māori or English.
Please fill out the below questions to the best of your ability.