National Certificate in Maori (Te Waharoa) (Level 2) with optional strands in Reo Maori, Maori Performing Arts, Whakairo, Nga Mahi a Te Whare Pora, Reo Maori Media, Te Whakamahi Whenua, and Marae Catering

The National Certificate in Maori (Te Waharoa) (Level 2) [Ref: 0878] is the first of two generic qualifications within Field Maori designed to provide a Matauranga Maori focus for learners, and to recognise the general achievement of learners of all ages. From a Maori perspective, this qualification pathway represents the beginning of the learner''s educational journey from the ''gateway'' towards the whare tipuna of the marae. This qualification is intended to be accessible to the Secondary and Tertiary sectors.

Te Waharoa is designed to motivate learners to achieve their potential and help them market their achievements, to assist institutions to guide students and monitor achievement, and to provide an opportunity for learners to continue with further study and achievement in either Field Maori or other areas. Te Waharoa is further intended to offer a pathway into mainstream achievement as credits gained from the award of this qualification can also be used to count towards a wide range of other qualifications on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework.

Te Waharoa has been structured to include optional strands that provide explicit pathways to specialised qualifications at higher levels in Field Maori:
. The Reo Maori Optional Strand may lead into the National Certificate in Reo Maori (Level 4) [Ref: 0426].
. The Maori Performing Arts Optional Strand may lead into the National Certificate in Maori Performing Arts (Performance)(Level 4) [Ref: 0701].
. The Whakairo Optional Strand may lead into the National Certificate in Whakairo (Te Ara Tauira) (Level 3) [Ref: 1590] and the National Certificate in Whakairo (Tuturu) (Level 4) [Ref: 0521].
. The Nga Mahi a Te Whare Pora Optional Strand may contribute credits towards the award of the National Certificate in Nga Mahi a te Whare Pora (Pae Tuatahi) (Level 2) [Ref: 0705].
. The Marae Catering Optional Strand may contribute credits towards the award of the National Certificate in Marae Catering (Level 2) [Ref: 1165].

The general requirements of this Level 2 qualification have been deliberately left non-prescriptive to enable providers with different expertise, training opportunities, and in different locations to offer a package that is relevant and meaningful for the students in their area. Standards from this qualification may also be used for credit towards the National Certificate in Maori (Te Ngutu Awa) (Level 4) [Ref: 1006], and the National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) Levels 1, 2 and 3.

The premises occupied by Kōkiri Marae at 7-9 Barnes Street, Seaview was built as a U.S Army store in the 1960's.

The urgency of establishing Kōkiri centres resulted from creation of the Tu Tangata policy which identified that Māori customs and traditions were in very real danger of becoming extinct through lack of concerted development amongst an increasing Māori population who were entrenched in a non Māori social and economic environment.

There needed to be national initiatives to decrease the number of Māori mortality rate due to ill health, increasing numbers of Māori leaving school with little or no qualifications and opportunities, unemployment and lack of cultural knowledge and direction. Central to this was the local gangs, who assisted in shaping the direction of Kokiri, its services and its people.

The need to provide tangihana services significantly changed the role and functions of the centre, as Kōkiri took on the traditional role of an urban marae, catering for whānau, hapu and all iwi, Kōkiri evolved from a Kōkiri Centre to become Kōkiri Marae.

Kōkiri Marae Seaview was the first Kōkiri Centre, a community based facility to address and confront these issues by conducting employment based training schemes in a Māori environment. The schemes introduced Māori Culture programmes such as Te Reo, Carving, Weaving, Whānaungatanga and Whakapapa.

Kōkiri Marae moved very quickly from providing employment programs to not only taking on the customary role of a marae but to an organisation that now provides a holistic range of services covering the operation of Education, Te Kōhanga Reo, Social and Health Services.

As well as offering front line services, Kōkiri Marae has been influential in developing public policy through its involvement in national research initiatives submissions to the government. Membership on national advisory bodies and working parties.

Kōkiri Marae is known for establishing and piloting new initiatives or supporting in the development which now a autonomous of the Marae or are still affiliated. Such as the piloting of Te Ataarangi, Tu Tangata and the establishment of the Kōkiri Marae Māori Women's Refuge, started with Kōkiri Marae and as the name suggests, still remains under its umbrella. A major role in establishing and supporting the development of other organisations such as Tu Kotahi Māori Asthma Society, Naku Enei Tamariki (maori section), Mana Wahine, Te Ara Whanui Kura Kaupapa Māori, Paparakau Multi Cultural Society and Whai Oranga o Te Iwi Health Centre.

The advent of a shifting Māori population from all parts of New Zealand and accompanied by numerous tribal affiliations, the use of the marae ensured all Māori, including Pacific Island and Tau Iwi always have access.