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Ngā Mana Whakairo a Toi: Bachelor of Māori Performing Arts 

Programme Overview

Level of Study: 5, 6 & 7

From traditional to cutting-edge contemporary, this three-year full-time course captures the practices and philosophies of Māori Performing Arts. Covering such topics as kapa haka, the historical and social context of waiata, and the protocols of the performing arts, this comprehensive programme will develop skills in performance, research and critical analysis – all within an environment of Māori language immersion. Elective options include teaching, Māori art and visual culture, environment studies and mātauranga Māori. The programme prepares students for a wide range of career opportunities, including teaching, community-based tutoring and work in the field of cultural tourism.

Duration: 3 years
Location: Multi-site delivery, Tāmaki Makaurau
Start Date: 26/03/2012
Finish Date: 02/12/2012
Applications Close: 05/03/2012
Delivery Mode: Mixed mode
2012 Estimated Annual Fees: $1326
N.B. You will be required to contribute toward the cost of study. The fee above is based on the 2011 domestic fees schedule. While the fees are indicative, you can expect that final tuition fees will not exceed the amount shown.

Entry Details

Entry is open to applicants who meet the following requirements:
Minimum Age: 16 years old
Minimum Qualifications: Student entry is open to applicants who have: Successfully completed a relevant Level 4 certificate; or Obtained a minimum of 43 credits at Level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework including a minimum of 14 credits at Level 3 or higher in each of two subjects from the NZQA-approved list (refer to programme document).
Additional Qualifications: Applicants should have a demonstrated interest or involvement in Māori performing arts. Students who gained entry into University courses (prior to the introduction of NCEA), have partially completed a degree or have relevant experience are also encouraged to apply.

Special Requirements:

Applicants who have verified evidence of completion of the level 6 National Diploma in Māori Performing Arts (Tutoring), or the Ngā Mahi a Rehia Manu Korihi level 5 certificate, may gain Year Two entry into this degree programme. Students who do not meet these criteria, but have special circumstances that warrant further consideration, can be admitted through an interview and testing process at the discretion of the Head of the School of Undergraduate Studies.

Career Opportunities:

Community-based tutoring, cultural tourism facilitation, service sector industry, education, business, local and central government, consultancy.

Further Study:

Tertiary study at Postgraduate level:

  • Master of Indigenous Studies;
  • Master of Māori Studies.

Detailed Course Information (Year 1)

Course Code: MPA100
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Te Reo a Toi
Description: This course will enhance students’ learning and awareness of selected aspects of kapa haka, within an environment of Māori language immersion. Students’ roles and responsibilities in terms of tikanga practices, protocol, custom and tradition are an integral component within this course.
Course Code: MPA101
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Research and Performing Arts
Description: This course will assist students to understand research methods and methodologies, including modes of inquiry and investigation. Students will be directed to consider how research is applied and practised within Māori performing arts.
Course Code: MPA102
Course Type: Core
Course Title: The Study of Waiata
Description: This course will enable students to research and critically analyse waiata from their own hapū/iwi in order to understand why such waiata are composed. This will include historical, political, social and environmental contexts that may have influenced the composer(s) and their writings.
Course Code: MPA103
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Te Marae me ōna Tikanga
Description: This course will enable students to examine marae protocol within a Māori performing arts context.
Course Code: MPA104
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Traditional Māori Performing Arts Practices
Description: This course will enable students to reflect on their individual practice in the delivery of traditional Māori Performing Arts. It will further enable students to develop their skills and critique of performance delivery.
Course Code: MPA106
Course Type: Core
Course Title: He Toi Pukenga: Practicum
Description: This is a Year 1 practicum paper that introduces learners to Māori performing arts through the applied practice of kapa haka preparation. Year 1 practicum is influenced by kawa me ōna tikanga practices within the kapa haka learning environment, and also includes the development of kapa haka implements for performance purposes.
Course Code: MPA107
Course Type: Core
Course Title: He Toi Pukenga: Performance
Description: This Year 1 performance paper introduces learners to kapa haka performance expectations. Year 1 practicum is influenced by individual presentation and performance within a selected kapa haka group, including overall visual presentation.
Course Code: MAO104
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Elementary Māori Language 1: Te Tipuranga
Description: This course develops conversational skills in everyday activities such as: habits, routines, events, giving instructions, forms of travel, past and present activities, current events and literature in Māori.
Course Code: MAO105
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Elementary Māori Language 2: Te Tipuranga
Description: This course follows on from MAO104 and develops communication and conversational skills in making invitations and suggestions, plans for the future, seeking and giving permission, selling and purchasing as well as Māori tribal and oral traditions.

Detailed Course Information (Year 2)

Course Code: MPA105
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Composition Critique
Description: This course will introduce students to compositions outside of their own hapū/iwi environment to enhance their knowledge of at least one other performance region. Students will be required to undertake a comparison with their own region as undertaken in MPA102.
Course Code: MPA200
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Te Reo Whakaari
Description: This course will further enhance students’ learning and awareness of selected aspects of kapa haka, with an emphasis on kiwaha, kirehu, reo opaki, reo okawa. In particular, this course focuses on understanding the transformation of language into movement, and the conceptual framework of Māori language usage as applied to Performing Arts.
Course Code: MPA201
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Critical Issues in Māori Performing Arts
Description: He Wānanga i ngā tino take e pā atu ana ki te Māori i roto i ngā mahi kapa haka. An exploration of critical issues that have influenced Māori performing arts.
Course Code: MPA202
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Critique of Competitive Māori Performing Arts
Description: This course analyses and critiques the practical and conceptual development of a traditional or contemporary Māori performing arts competitive programme bracket. This course supplements practicum papers.
Course Code: MPA208
Course Type: Core
Course Title: He Toi Wānanga: Practicum
Description: This is a Year 2 practical paper in which Māori performing artists examine and implement practices contributing to kapa haka preparation. This practicum requires critical reflective practice of kaupapa Māori instruction for performers in accordance with kawa me ōna tikanga.
Course Code: MPA209
Course Type: Core
Course Title: He Toi Wānanga: Performance
Description: In building on the stage 1 paper that introduced learners to Māori performing arts competition, this Year 2 paper examines explicitly individual learner’s responsibilities and accountabilities to the group. This includes an examination of the collaborative efforts of the group, including overall visual presentation.
Course Code: MAO201
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Te Puāwaitanga 1: Intermediate Māori Language
Description: This is an intermediate-level Māori language course that reinforces the knowledge acquired in MAO105 and further develops skills in conversation, communication, translation and the interpretation of oral and tribal traditions.
Course Code: MAO202
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Te Puāwaitanga 2: Intermediate Māori Language
Description: This course follows on from MAO201 and teaches skills in communicating about problems and solutions, plans, hopes and intentions as well as formal oratory. The course also develops skills in research and writing in the Māori language.

Detailed Course Information (Year 3)

Course Code: MPA301
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Māori Leadership Issues in Aotearoa
Description: This paper will examine critical issues relating to Māori Performing Arts leadership in Aotearoa. Issues will include traditional and contemporary principles of Māori and international leadership, leadership capability/capacity and aspects of effective leadership. The paper will further examine changes that impact on and influence how leadership is perceived and practised.
Course Code: MPA302
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Examining Māori Performing Arts Competitions
Description: An examination of Māori performing arts competition structures, assessments and evaluations in Aotearoa. Students will particularly focus on different models for competition and the application of assessment and evaluation in accordance with national expectations.
Course Code: MPA310
Course Type: Core
Course Title: He Toi Whakairo: Practicum
Description: In building on Year 1 and 2, this Year 3 practical paper focuses on performing artists and their contribution to the group’s performance and overall presentation. The paper will enable students to undertake a group’s needs analysis that will enable them to understand and articulate the different skill set expectations required for a group’s performance. This practicum requires critical reflective practice of kaupapa Māori instruction for performer roles and responsibilities in accordance with kawa me ōna tikanga.
Course Code: MPA311
Course Type: Core
Course Title: He Toi Whakairo: Performance
Description: In building on from Year 1 and 2, this Year 3 performance paper examines individual learner management of Māori performing arts kapa haka performance expectations, including an understanding of the ‘politics of representation’.
Course Code: MPA312
Course Type: Core
Course Title: He Mana Tangata – Solo Performance
Description: This paper is the culmination of all practicum and performance papers. It requires a 15-minute solo performance during which students will be evaluated in choreography, visual presentation, delivery and performance management in a public setting.
Course Code: MAO301
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Te Pakaritanga 1: Advanced Māori Language
Description: This is an advanced Māori language course which follows on from MAO202. Students learn how to communicate about future plans, offer and respond to advice, express approval and disapproval, debate and discuss issues and express deep thoughts, reasons and opinions on various issues. The course also develops oral and written research skills in Māori.
Course Code: MAO302
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Te Pakaritanga 2: Advanced Māori Language
Description: This advanced course in Māori language follows on from MAO301. The course reinforces and develops advanced skills in communication, reasoning, debating and researching contemporary social and political topics in the Māori language.
Course Code: MAO203
Course Type: Elective
Course Title: Te Ao Hurihuri: Contemporary Māori Society
Description: This course analyses Māori society since the arrival of the first Europeans to the present, examining the social, political and economic effects of colonisation upon Māori people.

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