Certificate in Bicultural Competency (Level 4)
Education studies
A course by
Otago Polytechnic
Develop practical knowledge of te reo and tikanga Māori, and a working understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi within workplace and community contexts in Aotearoa. Build your cultural competency through workplace-applicable skills and explore your own position in New Zealand's bicultural environment.
NZ$1,731
inc GST
Enquire about international pricing
Core skills this course teaches
Use te reo Māori in workplace contexts
Accurately pronounce introductions, greetings, and farewells; incorporate basic te reo Māori into workplace correspondence and industry-specific communication.
Understand and apply tikanga Māori in workplace and everyday situations
About This Course
This certificate equips learners with practical te reo Māori and tikanga Māori knowledge as relevant to workplace settings, alongside a broad understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and its historical and socio-political impact across Aotearoa, iwi, and location-specific contexts. Learners will identify and use te reo Māori in their workplace, engage actively with tikanga Māori principles, and explore the Treaty's legacy and its ongoing effects, both locally and nationally. Delivered through wānanga and ako principles, the programme fosters reflective practice, respect for diverse perspectives, and personal exploration of one's cultural position, guided by input from local iwi. The knowledge developed in this certificate is recognised as essential for responsive Treaty partners and for broader global employability.
Course Content
- Te Reo Māori for the Workplace: Introduction, greetings, workplace language, correspondence, pepeha/mihimihi.
- Tikanga Māori in the Organisation: Concepts of tikanga, influence on behaviour, application in organisations.
- Introduction to Te Tiriti o Waitangi: Historical context, articles and principles, impacts of colonisation, local iwi perspectives.
- Bicultural Competency: Exploring personal and Treaty partner cultural constructs, cultural narratives, discussion and reflection workshops, theories surrounding culture and bias.
- Structured, guided, and self-directed study, using wānanga and ako learning principles.
Entry Requirements
Open entry. International students individually assessed.
Build towards these roles
Enhanced organisational cultural competencyWork in public or private organisations as a responsive Treaty partnerRoles requiring bicultural skills in Aotearoa/New Zealand workplaces
Build skills in these industries
EducationPublic and Private Sector OrganisationsCommunity Services
Otago Polytechnic is known for high quality, hands on learning that leads to strong outcomes. With excellent student satisfaction, high graduate employment rates, and a commitment to sustainability, it’s a place where practical skills meet purpose. Their award winning programmes span design, fashion, creative arts, trades, health, and business, giving you real experience and real confidence for whatever comes next.
