Māori Cultural Competency; Cultural Insights and Respectful Practices
Building your cultural confidence to engage with Māori.
Online
04 Aug 2026 | Online
Can’t make these dates or want a private course?
Course overview
Building cultural confidence starts with language. This interactive workshop is designed for professionals seeking to pronounce te reo Māori accurately and engage respectfully with Māori communities. It combines hands-on language learning with cultural insights, covering key values, protocols, and everyday expressions. Participants will learn how to greet others, introduce themselves, open and close meetings in te reo Māori, and navigate cultural settings like pōwhiri and mihi whakatau. Ideal for those working in public-facing roles, HR, education, or leadership, this course empowers participants to build meaningful connections through culturally safe and respectful engagement.
What you'll learn
- Pronounce Māori words with confidence
- Greet and acknowledge people in both formal and informal settings
- Introduce yourself
- Open and close meetings in Māori
- Learn etiquette for engaging with Māori on a marae and in the workplace
- Understand some fundamental aspects of Māori culture and society; historically and today
Course modules
1. Māori Language for the Workplace
Participants will learn fundamental aspects of the Māori language, including proper pronunciation, useful greetings and other polite acknowledgements, phrases for opening and closing meetings, and the use of Māori in written communication.
2. Etiquette for Engaging with Māori
Participants analyse and discuss key cultural concepts, beliefs and practices to answer the following:
- What are the cultural concepts that underpin the Māori worldview?
- What is the basis for these concepts?
- How do they inform Māori beliefs and in particular beliefs regarding the environment?
- How do these beliefs subsequently inform Māori behaviour?
- How can I engage with Māori in a culturally safe manner?
- How should I participate in pōwhiri and mihi whakatau (rituals of encounter, openings and closings used during meetings both on and off the marae)?
Further Information
Format
This course is delivered as a full-day in-person workshop at our Wellington venue, or as an online option. It includes a mix of facilitator-led sessions, small-group exercises, and whole-group discussion. Group size is limited to 20 participants to ensure meaningful interaction and personal feedback. for the in-person course, morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea are provided to support networking and collaboration.
What You'll Receive
You will receive a digital certificate of attendance and a Wellington Uni-Professional digital badge. These include the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours completed, making them suitable for recognition by professional organisations and employers.
Private courses
This programme can be adapted to suit your organisational needs and ordered as a private course. For more information, please contact our Poutaki Māori, Marie Cocker (marie.cocker@wellingtonuni-professional.nz).
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