Toi Paematua
Mau Rākau
Tirohanga whānui
Advance your Mau Rākau practice
Mau Rākau is an art form unique to Aotearoa and this diploma is for those who have previously studied Mau Rākau and are ready to advance towards becoming a practitioner and contributor to the art.
You’ll extend your current practices and techniques through a series of projects, applying creative processes and reflective practice. You’ll deepen your understanding of the history, tikanga and whakapapa that inform Mau Rākau, while strengthening discipline, coordination and fitness through regular physical training.
By the end, you’ll have consolidated skills and personal discipline to participate more fully in Mau Rākau communities.
He aha tāu ka whiwhi?
Skills you'll leave with
Completing this programme means you’ll be able to:
Demonstrate skills in Māori weaponry
Apply advanced Mau Rākau practices
Explain the history and whakapapa of Mau Rākau
Manage your time and organise your work effectively
Apply health and safety relevant to Mau Rākau practice
Assess the creative process of Mau Rākau and apply it in your work
Mā te mahi ka ako
Learn by doing
You will get to:
Deepen your skills in Māori weaponry through advanced mau rākau training
Build on your mau rākau practices with more complex stances, sequences, and combinations
Further explore the history and whakapapa of mau rākau
Apply health and safety principles to mau rākau practice, looking after yourself and your training partners
Assess the creative process of mau rākau by reflecting on how it is used and applied in different contexts
Ngā ara e wātea ana
Where will this take me?
On completion, you'll have the skills to:
Keep studying
You might consider progressing into higher-level Māori studies.
Use at work
Work as a Mau Rākau instructor, cultural advisor, or practitioner within education, community, or cultural organisations.
Community involvement
Support whānau, hapū, iwi, and kura kaupapa Māori by teaching and maintaining the traditions and values of Mau Rākau.
He meka
Quick facts
- Level 5 (Intermediate)
- 120 Credits
- 38 Weeks
- NZ Diploma in Ngā Toi Level 5
- NZQA Accredited
- Fees apply
Paearu whakauru
Entry criteria
You can enrol if you:
Are 16 years or older
Are a NZ citizen or resident (includes Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau) or Australian citizen/permanent resident
Currently reside in New Zealand
Attend an interview with the kaiako
Have successfully completed Kāwai Raupapa: Certificate in Māori and Indigenous Art (Level 4) or an equivalent qualification, or provide a portfolio showing relevant creative or physical experience
Fees and scholarships
The 2027 fee for this programme is:
$525 GST inclusive
The fees displayed for 2027 are indicative and may be subject to change. The regulatory settings governing fees for 2027 are currently being finalised and implemented through government approval processes and will be confirmed by the end of October.
Te wā
Time commitment
This programme is:
Full-time
120 credits
38 weeks long (includes holiday breaks)
Noho-based, with workshops and tutorials
Kōnae ako
Learning modules
Ki hea, mō āhea hoki au ako ai?
Where and when can I learn?
No classes are currently open for application.
Kaupapa anamata
Upcoming events
Pitopito kōrero o te wā
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