Maunga Kura Toi - Bachelor of Māori Art

Start your journey

NorthTec’s Maunga Kura Toi (Bachelor of Māori Arts) is a unique opportunity to learn Whakairo (Carving), Rāranga (Weaving) or Rauangi (Visual arts), with ākonga (students) gaining a deeper understanding of Ngā Toi (Māori Arts). The degree equips students to contribute significantly to Toi Māori, Te Ao Māori, communities and industries.

Our ākonga are taught by Kaiako (tutors) who are passionate and skilled in their fields of expertise, and willing to impart knowledge to the next generation of artists.

With Tikanga, Mātauranga Māori and customary knowledge being the foundation of the degree, ākonga are supported and enabled to be culturally aware, critically analytical, reflective and responsive about Toi Māori, its challenges and potential.

Learning takes place through weekly tutorials, either in person or online. Monthly wānanga held at Te Puna o Te Mātauranga marae enable ākonga to study off-campus for much of the programme.

What you will learn 

Maunga Kura Toi - Bachelor of Māori Art aims to produce graduates who have an advanced portfolio of skills, knowledge and aptitudes. This includes conceptual and theoretical competencies as well as technical and procedural abilities appropriate to Toi Māori.

This programme embraces Māori philosophies, Māori principles and Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge). It is further distinguished from other degrees in New Zealand because of its strong emphasis on rangahau and project management. Graduates will be culturally aware, responsive and reflective and demonstrate an ability to work honourably and collaboratively with whānau, hapū, iwi and hapori.
 
This is not an immersion Māori programme however Māori language and culture are woven through all aspects of the study programme.
 
The programme has a focus on

• Mātauranga Māori

• Principled practice and praxis

• Research and reflective practice

• Creating work

You will learn to analyse, select and apply techniques, processes and practices according to a kaupapa Māori context for the production of creative work.  You will become skilled in your chosen kaupapa toi and be able to work confidently as an individual and in collaborative projects.

You will be able to

• Explain your creative processes

• Articulate the meanings behind your work

• Research

• Use academic conventions to discuss your work

• Reflect critically on your work and the work of others.

Brochure

Courses in this programme

The degree has three kaupapa toi, Raranga, Whakairo and Rauangi. You will enrol in your specific kaupapa toi.

• Taumata Atakura are papers that will integrate principle approaches to a kaupapa toi practice.

• Kaupapa toi are papers that concentrate or specialize in practical components.

• Electives allow you to select additional courses which currently cover either teaching or busness skills. 

Career opportunities and pathways

There are a number of institutions that offer master’s programmes and graduates can pathway into these for further study, provided all admission criteria are met.
 
Skills gained in this programme will prepare you for:

• Teacher training in secondary, Kura Kaupapa, tertiary level art and Māori art education

• Developing the potential of Māori design to support business developments in tā moko, computer graphic design, art galleries, fashion, film and television

• Curatorial positions, conservation, exhibitions in public museums and art galleries

• Preparation of portfolios for workshops (wānanga) on marae or for private, corporate and government commissioned work

• Operation of an art studio or exhibition space to generate an income

• Production and organisation of artistic work required for stage, Māori theatre and performance, television, and work in freelance advertising

• Work in tourism.

Entry requirements

All applicants must attend an interview, and show a portfolio of art work. Kaiako will determine relevance.

To be eligible for entry into the first year of this programme, applicants must:

• Be a New Zealand citizen (or citizen of Australia, Tokelau, Niue, Cook Islands) or permanent resident; and

• Be at least 16 years of age or over (unless an exemption has been granted) at the commencement of the programme; and

Level 5 (Year 1) applicants must have:

• Successfully completed Kāwai Raupapa - Certificate in Māori Art or an equivalent toi qualification (120 credits at Level 4), or

• NCEA Level 2; or

• Proof of relevant experience equivalent to that provided in the Kāwai Raupapa Level 4 programme graduate profile.

All applicants are required to attend an interview prior to being enrolled.

Level 6 (Year 2) applicants must have:

• Successfully completed Toi Paematua – Diploma of Māori Art (Level 5) or Toi Paematua – Diploma of Māori and Indigenous Art (Level 5) (leading to the NZ Diploma in Ngā Toi (Level 5) or Year 1 of Maunga​ Kura Toi; or

• Been granted recognition of prior learning

All applicants are required to attend an interview prior to being enrolled into Year 2 of this degree

Qualifications gained

Maunga Kura Toi - Bachelor of Māori Art 

Tutorial Staff