TupuOra Academy, a new Tertiary Provider
Tūī, tūī, tuituia!
Tuia i runga, tuia i raro
Tuia te here i te kahu mana ariki
I a Kuini Nga wai hono i te po
Ka mau te hono!
Tuia te here i ō tātou tini aituā
Koia ko te tira apārangi, nā Kīngi Tūheitia
Ka mau te hono!
Tuia te here tangata
Ka rongo te pō, ka rongo te ao
I te kōrero, i te wānanga
E ko TupuOra, e karanga nei!
Tūī, tūī, tuituia
Ko wai a TupuOra Academy?
TupuOra Academy is the newly accredited tertiary education arm of TupuOra Education and Development Ltd — a trusted leader in te reo and tikanga Māori education founded by Kingi Kiriona and Te Waipounamu Teinakore. Over the past decade, TupuOra has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality, kaupapa Māori learning opportunities across Aotearoa.
TupuOra Academy was established to extend this kaupapa into the tertiary sector, positioning ourselves alongside institutions such as Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and the Open Polytechnic. Our team includes highly experienced educators, kaupapa Māori specialists, and community leaders with decades of expertise in te reo Māori and tikanga (refer Appendix 1). Through these deep networks and collective knowledge, we are committed to delivering accessible, high-quality education for whānau, hapū, iwi, and our wider communities.
Current Context
In recent months, government funding for te reo and tikanga Māori education has faced significant reductions. For new providers like TupuOra Academy, accessing investment through the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) remains a major challenge, particularly given that te reo Māori has not been prioritised in TEC’s investment plan for 2025. At the same time, we are seeing a shift in learner needs — traditional education pathways are increasingly inaccessible due to rising living costs and time constraints. There is a growing demand for learning options that are flexible, digital, and convenient, allowing whānau to upskill in ways that work for them.
TupuOra Academy is strategically positioned to meet this need with its programmes.
What TupuOra Academy Offers
A range of tertiary-accredited programmes including:
Te Reo Māori & Tikanga Programmes – foundation to advanced-level certificates that support language revitalisation and cultural capability
Te Whānau Mārama – a first-of-its-kind Māori astronomy diploma led by Professor Rangi Matamua
Reo Ararau – a total immersion te reo Māori diploma tailored for rangatahi
TupuOra Academy are also seeking to develop a new suite of Short Courses (Micro-credentials) in partnership with iwi and industry, to ensure their offerings are relevant, impactful, and aligned with iwi and community needs. These can include short, targeted learning in areas such as Māori governance, Māori executive leadership, whaikōrero, karanga and other areas relevant to iwi and workforce development.
Seeking Iwi Endorsement and Input
TupuOra are seeking endorsement of TupuOra Academy as a tertiary provider capable of delivering quality te reo and tikanga Māori programmes to your communities. Your backing will be vital in supporting Māori organisations like TupuOra to remain sustainable and continue delivering kaupapa Māori education that uplifts our communities.
In addition, they invite you to help shape the development of their short courses. You can share your thoughts by completing a short survey HERE by 8 May 2025, or get in touch directly to arrange a hui to kōrero further.
Click to read the full statement from TupuOra, here