Our Why
As part of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, we inherit a compelling legacy: an organisation built on the vision of our founders, who believed that education grounded in mātauranga Māori (indigenous knowledge) could transform whānau (families), communities, and nations. Their vision still guides us — a commitment to whānau transformation through education that has remained steadfast for more than 40 years.
We walk in that legacy today. Our values are not words on a page — they are lived daily. They shape how we partner, how we teach, and how we innovate. Aroha (love and care), Whakapono (trust and integrity), Ngā Ture (responsibility and accountability), and Kotahitanga (unity and collective strength) guide every pathway we create.
Te Arawai builds authentic, values-led partnerships that uphold cultural integrity and embrace digital innovation. Like waterways that flow and converge, we create channels through which knowledge and relationships travel across land, sea, and space.
We stand for education that is grounded in mātauranga Māori, while opening pathways for global collaboration and opportunity. We connect people, place, and possibility — strengthening individuals, organisations, and communities in Aotearoa-New Zealand and beyond. In doing so, we honour our past, live our values, and forge ahead with purpose.
About our name: Te Arawai
Te Arawai speaks to connection and movement — the channel through which relationships flow across land, sea, and space.
Ara (noun) means a way, path, or passageway; as a verb, it means to rise up, to awake, to arise.
Wai (noun) means water — the rivers, currents, and flows that sustain life and carry us forward.
Te Arawai builds pathways that connect people and knowledge, enabling growth and positive change for individuals, organisations, and communities in Aotearoa-New Zealand and across the world.
Why choose Te Arawai
- Trusted experience - Backed by Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, we bring over 40 years of delivering transformative education across Aotearoa-New Zealand.
- Culturally authentic – Our courses are underpinned by mātauranga Māori (indigenous knowledge), ensuring learning that is values-led, inclusive, and grounded in integrity.
- Practical pathways – Designed for individuals and organisations, our courses turn knowledge into action.
- Meaningful results – We help people and organisations grow stronger, more connected, and better equipped for the future.
