UCOL brings new Te Reo programme to Masterton

UCOL is offering a new Te Reo Māori programme at its campus in Masterton to meet the growing demand from people wanting to learn the language.

Te Pōkaitahi Reo (Reo Rua) (Te Kaupae 4) (or the NZ Certificate in Te Reo Māori Level 4) is designed to extend learners’ knowledge of Te Reo to an advanced intermediate-level, and is taught bilingually.

UCOL has introduced the new programme following the success of its free Adult and Community Education (ACE) Te Reo courses, which have attracted students from a variety of backgrounds.

UCOL Head of School of Education, Dr Bridget Percy says it is exciting to bring this new programme to the Wairarapa, with many graduates from UCOL’s ACE Te Reo programmes already expressing interest.

“There is a groundswell of people thirsty to learn the language. The free ACE Te Reo programmes have been very successful, so this programme is the next step in the pathway for people who want to enhance and develop their use of Te Reo.”

Te Pōkaitahi Reo (Reo Rua) has been developed in consultation with local iwi so that it is culturally specific to the Wairarapa region.

Mike Kawana, a respected Rangitāne O Wairarapa leader, UCOL Lecturer, and well-known figure in the region, will be teaching the programme.

The programme will be taught part-time over 34 weeks, with classes held on Wednesday nights (6.30pm to 9.30pm) to help students balance study with work and family commitments.

Students will also participate in six noho marae (marae stays), which will allow them to bring theory, practice, and tikanga together.

“Noho is an immersive and supportive environment where students can develop their Te Reo; they get to live and breathe Te Reo,” says Dr Percy.

Dr Percy says the programme would suit anyone who has completed the ACE Te Reo programmes. She strongly recommends people study the ACE programmes first.

Te Pōkaitahi Reo (Reo Rua) is one of the New Zealand Qualification Authority’s (NZQA) Mātauranga Māori qualifications, which have been developed from a Māori perspective in consultation with whānau, hapū, and iwi; and with the guidance and expertise of Māori Governance and Working Groups.

Classes start 27 February.

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