Level 3 Tikanga Māori
L3TIKM Course Description Recommended Prior LearningWhile this course is open entry and has no formal prerequisites, it is strongly recommended that learners have completed Tikanga Māori Level 2 or possess an equivalent level of knowledge and experience. A foundational understanding of core Māori values, concepts, and protocols will support deeper engagement with the course content and enable learners to participate confidently in both theoretical and practical components.
This Level 3 course in Tikanga Māori builds on the foundational knowledge and practical skills developed in Levels 1 and 2, offering a deeper exploration of Māori customs, values, and cultural protocols. It focuses on enhancing students’ understanding of how tikanga is applied in real-world contexts, and developing the ability to identify and use culturally appropriate practices when engaging with different people, places, and events.
Students will expand their theoretical knowledge of tikanga Māori while gaining practical tools for respectful and informed cultural engagement. This includes learning how tikanga may vary across iwi, hapū, and settings, and how to adapt practice accordingly.
Key features of the course include:
In-depth study of traditional and contemporary applications of tikanga
Field trips and immersive experiences in marae and community settings
Guest lectures and kōrero with respected kaumātua and cultural practitioners
Opportunities to apply learning in practical, culturally grounded contexts
This course is ideal for those preparing for roles where cultural understanding is essential — including in education, social services, health, community development, and leadership. It supports the development of strong cultural competency, respect for Māori knowledge systems, and the ability to confidently engage within te ao Māori.
Note: Students are unable to select Tikanga and Te Ao Haka, as these courses are taught concurrently in a combined class. Students will have a choice of mixing Tikanga and Te Ao Haka Unit/Achievement Standards.
Course Overview
What is taught in courses varies from year to year. This course could include:
This advanced course in Tikanga Māori offers a comprehensive exploration of Māori customs, protocols, and values, with a strong focus on their practical application in today’s world. Building on earlier levels, this programme empowers learners to deepen their understanding of traditional knowledge while critically engaging with the contemporary realities facing Māori communities.
Spanning topics from traditional Māori society through to the impacts of colonisation and beyond, this course develops the skills, awareness, and cultural confidence needed for leadership, advocacy, and culturally responsive practice.
Course Topics Include:
Advanced Whakapapa (Genealogy):
Examine the depth and complexity of genealogical knowledge, exploring how whakapapa informs identity, belonging, and the roles of whānau and hapū within te ao Māori.
Mana Whakahaere (Leadership):
Explore traditional and modern leadership within Māori contexts, including the responsibilities of upholding tikanga and guiding communities through collective values.
Marae Protocol and Practices:
Gain in-depth knowledge of marae kawa (protocols), including roles in pōwhiri and other ceremonial practices. Understand the marae’s spiritual and social role as a living cultural hub.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi):
Analyse the Treaty’s historical foundations and its ongoing significance in governance, equity, and the relationship between Māori and the Crown.
Iwi and Hapū Dynamics:
Study the internal structures and governance systems of iwi and hapū. Understand how authority and decision-making function within Māori communities and how development is guided by tikanga.
Contemporary Issues in Tikanga Māori:
Investigate current challenges facing Māori communities and explore culturally grounded responses to issues such as social justice, environmental protection, and identity.
Rangatiratanga (Sovereignty):
Understand Māori concepts of self-determination and sovereignty, including historical movements and contemporary debates around tino rangatiratanga.
Research and Application:
Build research and inquiry skills specific to Tikanga Māori. Apply theoretical knowledge through hands-on projects, fieldwork, or meaningful engagement with iwi, hapū, or marae-based initiatives.
Kapa Haka Component:
Students will also have the opportunity to participate in an introductory kapa haka module. This includes cultural expression through waiata, haka, and movement, with pathways for experienced students to mentor or support kapa haka in local primary schools.
This course is ideal for learners seeking to enhance their cultural knowledge, step into leadership roles, or contribute meaningfully within Māori and cross-cultural spaces. It supports personal growth, professional development, and the strengthening of identity through tikanga Māori.
Assessment Information
This course includes a series of internal assessments aligned with NZQA Unit Standards in Tikanga Māori. These unit standards are designed to deepen ākonga understanding of Māori values, practices, and worldviews. All assessments are internal and based on evidence gathered through classwork, discussions, assignments, and practical activities.
Actor, Historian, Artist, Outdoor Recreation Guide/Instructor, Counsellor, Elected Government Representative, Trainer, Communications Professional, Interpreter, Workplace Relations Adviser, Early Childhood Teacher, Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Primary School Teacher, Kaiwhakaako Māori, Translator, Nanny/Child Carer, Tertiary Lecturer, Private Teacher/Tutor, Youth Worker, Secondary School Teacher, Teacher Aide, Tour Guide
Contributions and Equipment/StationeryThere may be a marae noho during the year.