Te Pōkaitahi Reo (Rumaki, Reo Rua) Level 1 & 2
LEVEL 1 & 2 Diploma | 120 Credits | 1 Year Full-Time | No Fees
Level 1 & 2 Diploma
Ready to begin your reo Māori journey? This 38-week introductory programme is delivered through night classes and weekend wānanga, designed for absolute beginners who want to build a strong foundation in the language. By the end of the programme, you’ll have the confidence to use basic te reo Māori in everyday situations and participate comfortably in simple conversations.
If you successfully finish this Te Reo Torohū programme, you’ll gain these qualifications:
- Te Pōkaitahi Reo (Rumaki, Reo Rua), Kaupae 1 – New Zealand Certificate in Te Reo (Rumaki, Reo Rua), Level 1
- Te Pōkaitahi Reo (Rumaki, Reo Rua), Kaupae 2 – New Zealand Certificate in Te Reo (Rumaki, Reo Rua), Level 2
Te Reo Torohū L1 & 2 is a 120-credit one-year programme. Students who successfully complete Te Reo Torohū L1 & 2 may staircase into Te Reo Torohū L3 & 4, our DipTRMāori L3 & 4 programme.
Te Reo Torohū L1 & 2 is for beginners starting their reo Māori journey. Classes are based onsite at our Henderson campus, within a bilingual environment, and use a mixed-mode approach with face-to-face sessions, online activities, and hands-on learning like reading, vocabulary, and assessments. Eight weekend wānanga take place throughout the year, giving students the chance to focus on key topics and practise essential skills.
On completion of this programme, graduates will be able to:
-
Use foundational everyday te reo Māori with confidence;
-
Share mihimihi, basic whakapapa, and pronounce words correctly;
- Describe people, places, time, and actions using simple sentence structures;
- Ask and answer basic questions in te reo Māori;
- Participate in karakia (prayers) and waiata (songs);
- Use kīwaha (colloquial sayings), whakataukī (proverbs), and common phrases;
- Demonstrate understanding of key Māori customs and marae protocol.
| LEVEL |
1, 60 credits, no fees 2, 60 credits, no fees |
| DURATION | One year full-time (one intake per year in Feb; students enrol in both 60 credit diplomas) |
| TIMETABLE |
23 Feb – 4 Dec 2026 There are also eight compulsory wānanga for this programme (dates listed out below) |
| HOLIDAYS |
Each semester runs for 19 weeks. There is a three week mid-year break between Level 1 and Level 2. |
| LOCATION | Henderson Campus (in-person) |
| CLASS TIMES |
To enrol in this programme, students are required to attend: Tuesday class, 6:00pm – 9:00pm 8 wānanga reo (Fridays, from 5pm – 10pm, and on Saturdays from 8am – 10pm) 1 x 3hour tutorial per week (time and date to be confirmed by the kaiako) |
| WĀNANGA REO |
8 wānanga reo take place throughout the year as part of the programme. Please review the dates below to ensure you can commit to this programme.
|
| TRT101.115 Te Tangi o Te Reo (Sounds of the Language) | 15 Credits |
| TRT102.115 Whakapapa (Identity and Genealogy) |
15 Credits |
| TRT103.115 Te Kāinga (The Home) | 15 Credits |
| TRT104.115 Te Wā (Times and Dates) | 15 Credits |
| TRT201.215 Tōku Ao (My World) | 15 Credits |
| TRT202.215 Te Marae (The Marae) | 15 Credits |
| TRT203.215 Haerenga (Journeys and Travel) | 15 Credits |
| TRT204.215 Hononga (Relationships and Connections) | 15 Credits |
To enrol in this programme, students are required to:
- 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 little or no knowledge of te reo Māori
- speak with a teacher to discuss course workload and the applicant’s availability to commit to the programme
Does everyone get accepted?
Unfortunately not. Because spaces are limited, 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.
Can I apply for Student Living Costs or Government allowance?
These diplomas are not eligible for Government allowance.
Te Wānanga Ihorangi is working in partnership with Te Wānanga Amorangi (Laidlaw College) to deliver these programmes. All of our 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
I’m not Māori, can I still apply?
Yeah, of course. We are excited about a future that sees diverse communities appreciating, speaking, and treasuring te reo Māori. We also recognise the important role Pākehā family members play in supporting the flourishing of te reo Māori within the home. However, please note that our programmes are primarily geared towards supporting tangata whenua to reclaim te reo Māori. What we teach, and how we teach it, will reflect Māori ways of learning and seeing the world.
Is this a Christian kaupapa?
Our Christian faith is foundational and informs all aspects of Te Wānanga Ihorangi. Similar to marae that identify with Mihinare, Katorika, or Ringatū roots: it is just a part of who we are and how we roll. Technically speaking though, our programmes exist as te reo Māori qualifications and they are open to all people who are interested in attaining a high level of fluency. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
Why have you partnered with Te Wānanga Amorangi (Laidlaw College)?
Typically when a new organisation wants to start delivering NZQA accredited programmes, they must become a recognised Private Training Establishment (PTE). The process of becoming and maintaining a PTE is a time and resource-intensive exercise. Rather than transforming Te Wānanga Ihorangi into a PTE, we have partnered with Te Wānanga Amorangi (who are already a PTE) to help develop and deliver our qualifications together. They hold and administer the qualifications, and we are able to facilitate the delivery of the programmes.
Expression of Interest
Our Level 1-2 intake is currently full – you’re welcome to fill out an expression of interest form to join our waitlist.
Please fill out the below questions to the best of your ability.
If you have any urgent questions about your submitted application, please contact admissions@ihorangi.ac.nz.
Te Wānanga Ihorangi is a whakapono-based Māori language school in Henderson, Waitākere. Our programmes, kura reo, and media content are dedicated to the reclamation, preservation, and revitalisation of te reo Māori in Aotearoa.
Contact
(09) 307 5777
Monday to Thursday, 8.30am-4.30pm
Address
3 Smythe Road, Henderson. West Ground Floor.