Confidence Building

Overcome anxiety and overthinking when speaking or attempting to use te reo Māori

Practical Tools

Gain practical tools for using te reo in daily life and in various contexts

Supportive Environment

Experience emotional safety and sustainable change without pressure or perfection

About the Course - Akoranga whai hapori

Kia Puawaitia is a course designed for adult Māori language learners at beginner to intermediate levels who want to use te reo Māori more confidently and consistently. With a focus on practical tools, emotional safety, and sustainable change, the course supports learners to move beyond āmaimai, or language-related anxiety, overthinking, and whakamā when speaking or attempting to use reo across different contexts. Rather than prioritising grammar or vocabulary alone, Kia Puawaitia helps learners with a whakapapa connection to te reo create the psychological and relational conditions needed for language growth, addressing the barriers that often prevent us from using the reo we already have, such as fear of judgement, expectations placed on us as Māori, or returning to reo after a break, without requiring fluency or forced confidence. This course includes tutorials with Dr. Awanui Te Huia, and the option to become part of a supportive Facebook community of reo learners. 

About Dr. Awanui Te Huia

Associate Professor Awanui Te Huia is a māmā, an academic, and reo Māori advocate who engages in this journey as both scholar, a kaiako a learner and a graduate of Te Panekiretanga o te reo (rangapū tuangahuru). As someone who was not raised in a Māori-speaking home, she understands the courage it takes to reclaim an ancestral language. With a PhD in psychology focused on reo Māori reclamation and nearly two decades of teaching experience, including both te reo and Māori research methods, Awanui combines academic insight with lived experience. Her research explores what promotes and inhibits te reo Māori use from a psychological perspective, informing practical approaches that support whānau, educators, and organisations. Awanui is a recipient of the Ako Aotearoa Sustained Excellence in Tertiary Teaching Award (Kaupapa Māori Category) and has led national research projects related to te reo Māori revitalisation. Her work blends Kaupapa Māori principles with psychology to create environments where te reo Māori can thrive.

Course Curriculum

4 Chapters · 4 Lessons

  1. 1

    Wāhanga 1: Te horopaki o te whakarauora reo – Reclaiming reo within its wider context

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Reframing Anxiety

  2. 2

    Wāhanga 2: Ko te taha hinengaro me te taha tinana – Understanding the internal barriers to reo use

    1. Slide content Free preview
  3. 3

    Wāhanga 3: Kia tuia ngā herenga: Creating relational conditions for reo use

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3 slides

  4. 4

    Wāhanga 4: Kia toka ngā akoranga: Embedding practices for sustainable reo growth

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 lecture content

What People Are Saying

Discover how Dr. Awanui Te Huia is helping learners speak te reo Māori with confidence

The most striking qualities observed about Awanui is her ngākau māhaki, aroha and manaakitanga. She is a highly visible and very accessible wahine, an engaging leader with relevant, relatable, reachable and respected kōrero, an advocate and activist, a champion and campaigner, a fierce guardian and protector of te ao Māori. It is always an honour to have Awanui presenting at hui and very motivating to be in her influencing presence. We always watch her mahi hirahira with interest and pride.
Tarah Nikora, 

Ngāti Maniapoto, Māori Communications Consultant

”
Nā runga i taku tono i whai wāhi mai ai a Awanui hei kaikauhau ki Toitū te Reo (2024), ki Te Kura Reo Rāngai Tūmatanui (2025) anō hoki. He nui ngā painga o Awanui, ā, e kore e ea i ēnei kupu torutoru nei, pēnei i te ngāwari o tana whakatakoto i te kupu, pēnei i te pai o te manaakitia mai o te whakaminenga, pēnei i te whānuitanga me te hōhonutanga o tōna mōhio ki te kaupapa e kauhau ana ia. He tohunga a Awanui, ā, ka nui te waimarie o te tangata ka whai wāhi atu ki a ia. He nui ngā akoranga, ngā rautaki, ngā wero, me te āwhina ka puta i āna kōrero. He tākuta, he māmā, he kōrero Māori, he tangata ngākau māhaki - ka mutu pea!
Aperahama Hurihanganui

Engaging Well

”
Dr. Awanui Te Huia recently facilitated both individual and group sessions for our team at JacksonStone & Partners as part of our ongoing professional development. Awa’s expertise and ability to create a safe, culturally grounded environment were invaluable to our team’s growth. Her approach was thoughtful, inclusive, and highly effective in enhancing both individual and team development. We are deeply grateful for Awa’s contribution and would highly recommend her to any organisation seeking to integrate cultural competency into their leadership and practices.
Rachel Russell

Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Partner, Hobson Leavy (formally General Manager, Māori at JacksonStone & Partners)

Akoranga Whai Rauemi  (self-guided)  This option is not currently available, however, we will be making this available after the first cohort is complete in May 2026. 

Mō wai tēnei ara: Who this is for: • Prefer working independently • Have scheduling constraints • Comfortable applying material without guided support What's included: • All pre-recorded modules (4 modules, 15+ lessons) • Downloadable workbooks and reflection guides • Mahi kāinga activities • 6 months access from enrolment What's not included: • Live tutorials • Facilitator support • Community discussion spaces

Akoranga Whai Hapori  (With live group akoranga) $349 + GST 

Mō wai tēnei ara: Who this is for: • Want structure, accountability, and relational learning • Benefit from guided reflection and shared experiences • Experience anxiety or whakamā and want support embedding change What's included: • All pre-recorded modules (4 modules, 19 lessons) • Downloadable workbooks and reflection guides • Full-year access to all materials and future updates • 6 weekly live tutorials: o Weeks 1, 3, 5: Co-facilitated by Associate Professor Awanui Te Huia o Weeks 2, 4, 6: Led by experienced kaihāpai • Guided support throughout the week (questions answered by kaihāpai, reviewed by Awanui) • Community of practice with capped enrolment for relational safety Tutorial focus: • Unpacking module themes • Applying tools to everyday contexts • Sharing experiences through whanaungatanga • Working through challenges What this doesn't include: • One-on-one language coaching • Clinical therapy or counselling • Individual fluency assessments

Akoranga Aronui (Group learning, with guided reo planning) $699 + GST

Mō wai tēnei ara: Who this is for: • Want expert guidance refining their reo planning • Are navigating specific relational or contextual challenges • Value structured, time-bound individual support • Are ready to consolidate learning into sustainable practice What's included: ✔ Everything in Akoranga Whai Hapori • All pre-recorded modules and workbooks • Weekly live tutorials • Community of practice with capped enrolment • 12 months access to all course materials and updates ✔ Two 30-minute one-on-one sessions with Awanui These sessions are structured, purposeful, and time-bound. ✔ Feedback on one personalised reo plan Participants receive feedback on one personalised reo plan developed during the course. What this option does NOT include: To maintain clarity and sustainability, Aronui does not include: • Ongoing coaching or mentoring • Additional one-on-one sessions beyond those specified • Email or messaging support outside scheduled sessions • Language correction or fluency assessment • Therapy, counselling, or emotional processing beyond course frameworks Please note: Individual one-on-one sessions (30- or 60-minute) are available elsewhere on my website as a separate service. These are not included as part of the Aronui option and must be booked independently. All pricing is GST inclusive. All prices are currently priced at a reduced rate for the first intake.

Ready to begin? Tēnā, kia haere ngātahi ai tāua. 

All pricing is GST inclusive. All prices are currently priced at a reduced rate for the first intake. 

Enroll Now Get Free Preview

Frequently asked pātai

Why this course Why is this course different from other reo Māori courses? Most reo courses focus on what to learn. Kia Puawaitia focuses on why using reo can feel hard — and how to create the psychological, relational, and contextual conditions that allow reo Māori to grow. Do I need to be Māori to enrol? Yes. This course is designed specifically for learners who have whakapapa Māori and are navigating the personal, relational, and historical dimensions of reo Māori use. Future courses will be developed that are tailored specifically to Tangata Tiriti experiences. This course, however, is grounded in Māori lived experience and kaupapa Māori approaches to language reclamation. What if I'm very new and only know a few kupu? That's okay. This course is not about your current proficiency level. It focuses on creating the conditions for reo growth, regardless of where you are starting from. What if I'm already quite proficient but still struggle to use reo in some contexts? This course is well-suited to learners who have reo knowledge but experience inhibition, anxiety, or relational barriers in particular settings such as whānau, workplaces, or public spaces. I'm not very advanced in te reo Māori. Is this course for me? Yes. This course focuses on creating conditions for growth regardless of your starting point, not your current proficiency level. Can I join from outside Aotearoa? Absolutely. The course is online and accessible globally. Tutorial times accommodate multiple time zones where possible. What is Aronui – Guided reo planning? Aronui is a premium option for learners who want structured individual guidance applying the course frameworks to their own reo contexts. It includes two time-bound one-on-one sessions with Awanui and feedback on a personalised reo plan. Participation & engagement Will I be expected to share personal experiences? Yes, there will be invitations to reflect and share during tutorials. However, sharing is always optional. You are in control of what you choose to contribute, and reflection can also be private, written, or internal. Can I just observe during tutorials?  Tutorials are designed as interactive spaces grounded in whanaungatanga and collective learning. We therefore encourage active participation. While speaking is not required, learners are expected to engage in ways that support the group environment (e.g. listening attentively, being present (video on), using chat where appropriate). What if I miss a week or need to step back temporarily? That's okay. This course supports non-linear engagement. You will retain access to course materials and can return to content when ready. Please note that tutorials are not recorded in order to uphold the privacy and safety of those who choose to share. What if I can't attend all live tutorials? Tutorials are optional. However, these are not recorded in order to protect the personal experiences of those who chose to attend and share their experiences. Will I be put on the spot or required to speak te reo in tutorials? No. Tutorials are reflection spaces, not performance spaces. You're never required to speak, share, or use te reo. Participate through chat, listening, or simply being present, whatever feels good for you. What if I fall behind? That's okay. The course supports non-linear progress. You'll retain access after the live period to revisit content when ready. What kinds of topics might be emotionally challenging? The course engages with topics such as historical trauma, shame, anxiety, and identity. These are approached carefully and within a strengths-based, kaupapa Māori framework. What support is available if this brings up difficult feelings? The course provides frameworks and tools for working with challenging material, but it is not therapy. Learners are encouraged to ensure they have appropriate personal or professional support in place if needed. What if this brings up difficult emotions? The course engages with challenging topics including historical trauma, shame, and anxiety, with supportive frameworks. However, this is not therapy. If you're experiencing acute mental health challenges, ensure you have appropriate support before enrolling. We can make suggestions about other services that might be appropriate for you outside of the course.  Can I pause the course if I'm feeling overwhelmed? Yes. You are encouraged to engage at a pace that feels safe, sustainable, and supportive. Stepping back is respected. Do I need to attend tutorials live? Yes. Tutorials are a core part of the Akoranga Whai Hapori and Aronui experience and are designed to be live, relational spaces. To protect privacy and safety, tutorials are not recorded. Can I access the course on my phone? Yes. Course materials can be accessed on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Workbooks are downloadable PDFs. Will I receive individual feedback on my reo? No. This course does not include individual language assessment or personalised feedback as part of the Self-Paced Access or Akoranga Whai Hapori offerings. Can I contact Awanui directly outside tutorials? Yes, of course. Your query may be dealt with by a tutor or administrator, however, Awanui is here to support you. Te Aronui – Guided Reo Planning option includes two structured 30-minute one-on-one sessions with Awanui for learners seeking individual guidance. Additional one-on-one sessions outside of those specified in the Aronui option are not included and must be booked separately. Will this course make me fluent? No. Fluency is a long-term journey. This course focuses on creating the conditions that support sustainable reo Māori growth over time. Can my organisation enrol a group? Yes. Organisational and group offerings are available or in development. Please contact us to discuss options. Will this course be offered again? Yes. Future cohorts are planned, though dates may vary. Can I reuse the materials after the course ends? Yes, you can download materials within the access period and use them after the course finishes. Materials are for personal educational use only and may not be shared or redistributed. Can I switch from Self-Paced to Akoranga Whai Hapori or Aronui? Yes, within your first month of Self-Paced enrolment. Your payment will be credited toward the Akoranga Whai Hapori or Aronui fee for the next available cohort.