Kai Oranga L4
Kai Oranga (Kaupae Tuawhā)
A level 4 certificate in food sustainability and management
Grow as a kaitiaki. Lead sustainable kai production initiatives and food sovereignty in your whānau, hapū and iwi.
Deepen your knowledge of traditional kai practices and food sustainability with Kai Oranga Kaupae Tuawhā, a level 4 certificate programme at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.
Build on knowledge from the level 3 certificate and gain advanced skills in maara kai, rongoā Māori, horticulture, nutrition and permaculture.
Explore food sovereignty to empower whānau food systems and learn how kai strengthens whānau, hapū, iwi and communities to support your role in shaping healthier and sustainable futures.
Why study Kai Oranga (Kaupae Tuawhā)?
Deepen your mātauranga Māori
This course builds on Level 3 by developing intermediate skills in maara kai (traditional gardening), rongoā (Māori healing), maramataka, nutrition and tikanga through a Māori worldview.
Promote food sovereignty and sustainability
Learn to exercise control over the kai we grow, eat, and manage, supporting food sovereignty and environmental sustainability.
Permaculture knowledge
Learn to integrate permaculture as a system of sustainable living and explore kai as medicine, enhancing the health of whānau, marae, and communities.
Empower whānau and marae
The course is designed to benefit whānau, marae, and communities.
Accessible and supportive learning
Delivered through blended learning including noho, wānanga, and online study. The course is tuition-free for eligible learners and supported by experienced Kaiako.
What you’ll learn in Kai Oranga (Kaupae Tuawhā)?
- Advanced maara kai techniques for sustainable food production
- Rongoā and traditional kai knowledge for health and wellbeing
- Food sovereignty and community kai projects
- Nutritional wellbeing and kai preparation in cultural contexts
- Leadership skills to contribute to whānau and community food initiatives
- The principles of Hua Parakore as an indigenous framework for growing kai
Who should apply?
- Graduates of Kai Oranga Kaupae Tuatoru (Level 3 certificate)
- Whānau, hapū, and iwi leaders seeking to strengthen food sovereignty
- Those passionate about Māori wellbeing and sustainability
- Community members wanting to lead māra kai projects
Dates
Sem 1: 02 Feb to 21 Jun 2026, Sem 2: 13 Jul to 29 Nov 2026Duration
20 weeksCommitment
Blended learning including noho, wānanga, online learning and self-directed learningApplications close
Sem 1: Feb 2026, Sem 2: Aug 2026, and other intakes upon demandLocations
Hastings, Hawkes Bay, Hamilton, Te Teko.Requirements
Desire to learn about maara kai and rongoā in a Māori context and to work in health and or horticulture industriesPathway to
View link belowFees
Tuition fees freeKAI401 Te Kōwae Ako 1 - Te Kōpura
Course type: Core
- Description: This course prepares students to be able to plant, design, prepare and review maara kai, including the application of the maramataka. Students will learn to identify seasonal tohu that indicate planting and harvesting times, learn to identify soil types and be able to discuss the advantages of companion planting and crop rotation.
KAI402 Te Kōwae Ako 2 - Te Tāpapa
Course type: Core
- Description: This course develops students' intermediate skills in preserving, enhancing, and promoting maara kai. Students learn to apply knowledge of nutrition and apply permaculture design principles to kai oranga. Students will extend their knowledge of te reo me ōna tikanga to kai oranga situations.
KAI403 Te Kōwae Ako 3 - Te Hauhake
Course type: Core
- Description: This course allows students to apply knowledge of nutrition and apply permaculture design principles to kai oranga.
KAI404 Te Kōwae Ako 4 - Te Rua
Course type: Core
- Description: Students will apply the principles of kai oranga, demonstrate how ngā hua, or the produce, of maara kai can be distributed. Students will learn about food sovereignty, and apply this by preparing, planting, and harvesting a maara kai. Students will also learn about rongoā as it applies through kai oranga and the development and maintenance of maara kai.
Ngā korero a ngā tauira
Student's voice
Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae
Pupuaruhe (Toroa) Marae
Iwitea Marae
Karangahape Marae
Ngatai Whakarongorua Marae
Tomo mai ki Awanuiārangi
Experience Awanuiārangi
School of Iwi Development
Wānanga learning style
Whakapā mai/Contact us
Waiana Renata
- Phone: 027 204 5677 or Freephone: 0508 92 62 64
- Email: waiana.renata@wananga.ac.nz
Interested? Make an enquiry
We will email you an info pack