Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa New Zealand

A Maori operated centre of higher learning, dedicated to teaching and research.

Te Wawatanui o Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa

"Kia rangatira te tū a Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa hei whare ako, whakatupu hoki i te mātauranga"

Vision Statement

The vision of Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa is to be a high quality institution of learning that increases knowledge and understanding through teaching and research.

What is Te Wãnanga-o-Raukawa?

TWoR is a unique centre of higher learning devoted to the world of Māori knowledge, (Mātauranga Māori). TWoR is a reformulation of an ancient Polynesian institution known as the whare wānanga which were tribal centres of higher learning. The method of teaching at Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa is based upon knowledge and wisdom passed on by our ancestors. Through our holistic approach to teaching and learning, you will experience a new and exciting journey into knowledge. Courses are based on group learning or 'hui', rather than through individual learning. Ultimately, you will learn about you!

The Unique Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa System

We have a system where all students are required to do three "core" or "generic" subjects alongside a "specialist" subject of your choice. The three core subjects are:

· Māori Language;
· Iwi and Hapū studies; and
· Information Technology & Telecommunication

The above three core subjects are the key foundation stones necessary to ensure our unique approach to "holistic" teaching and learning. They also affirm the principles that founded TWoR called: "Whakatupuranga Rua Mano - Generation 2000".

Iwi and Hapū Studies

Iwi and Hapū Studies is a course that facilitates learning about YOU, your identity, your "whakapapa", (geneology). Through assignment work this course helps to connect you - the "individual" with the "whole", that is: iwi (tribe), hapū (sub-tribe), and whānau (extended family). This course encourages you to actively participate within your iwi, hapū, and whānau. Iwi and Hapū Studies sets the context for learning at TWoR, and places learning within the world of Mātauranga Māori, (Māori knowledge).

Iwi and Hapū Studies component affirms principles 1 & 3 of "Whakatupuranga Rua Mano - Generation 2000":

"That the marae is our principal home and, as such, it must be well serviced and maintained and thoroughly respected"; and

"That the people are our wealth and that their development and retention is more important than the development and rention of any other tangible resource."

Te Reo Māori

The Māori language is the indigenous language of Aotearoa (NZ). TWoR requires all students to learn the Māori language. Students will learn through group learning in a Māori setting, i.e.: on a Marae (Meeting House). The "total immersion" method of teaching & learning was pioneered by TWoR in 1978. It has proven highly effective and successful for adult language acquisition. In other words, you will learn the Māori language at a very fast rate at TWoR!

TWoR offers approximately 26 week long total immersion classes on a "Marae" each year. Students are required to do at least three total immersions each year. Māori language learning is also supplemented with weekly classes. If students live away from Ōtaki, Māori language through distance learning is also available.

The Māori language component affirms principle 2 of "Whakatupuranga Rua Mano - Generation 2000":

2. "That the language, as a deeply treasured taonga left by the Māori ancestors of New Zealand, is to be protected from further decline and our activities must guarantee revival"

Residential Seminar System

At TWoR, the delivery of teaching and learning is structured through a "modular system". This means we teach and you learn over a concentrated period of days and nights. We call this system: "residential seminars", or in the Māori language it is simply termed: "noho". The length of a students "noho" will vary from course to course. Most students attend "noho" of 4 days in length and are held at TWoR campus - Ōtaki. A one year full-time study typically includes attendance at:

· 5 "noho";
· 3 Māori language immersions of a week each; and
· 34 weeks of Māori language classes, (either through classes on campus or distance learning) and

- 1 week of Rorohiko training. 

CONTACT

144 Tasman Rd, Ōtaki

P.O Box 119,

Ōtaki Aotearoa

New Zealand
Tel: +64 6 364 7820

Fax: +64 6 364 7822
Email: enquiries@twor-otaki.ac.nz

Website:

www.twor.ac.nz