Te pōkaitara | about

Te Pōkaitara, the Ngāti Kahungunu Institute of Excellence in Language and Tikanga, is an advanced Māori language and tikanga wānanga. It exists to strengthen fluent speakers of te reo Māori so they can carry the language, tikanga, and responsibilities of leadership within their whānau, hapū, iwi and communities.

Delivered over two years through noho wānanga and iwi‑based kaupapa, Te Pōkaitara is taught exclusively in te reo Māori and is guided by leading reo practitioners and kaiako. The programme emphasises excellence, depth, and accountability to the language, supporting the intergenerational transmission of reo Māori and tikanga Māori for the benefit of Ngāti Kahungunu and te iwi Māori.

te tira whakahaere

An elderly man smiling while sitting, wearing a black zip-up jacket with an embroidered patch that reads "INSTITUTE OF EXCELLENCE IN THE MAORI LANGUAGE." Two people are blurred in the background, one in a white shirt and sunglasses hanging from his neck, and the other in black with earrings. The setting appears to be outdoors with greenery.

DR Sir tīmoti kāretu
amokapua | founder

DR mania campbell-seymour
chair

A man outdoors wearing a beige coat, white shirt, dark patterned tie, and a beige plaid scarf, smiling with short dark hair and a well-groomed appearance.

DR Jeremy Tātere MacLeoD
founder

piripi winiata
founder | trustee

aperahama hurihanganui
trustee

Portrait of a young woman with dark, curly hair, smiling, wearing a brown top, against a plain light blue background.

shanara hinematarau wallace
trustee

A woman with dark hair in a messy bun, wearing earrings and a white blouse with ruffled sleeves, sitting against a plain light-colored background.

te uranga belk
founder