Te Wānanga O Aotearoa Celebrates 40 Years Of Transforming Education

Sunday 27 April 2025 marks 40 years since the official opening of O-Tāwhao Marae, the birthplace of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. To mark this significant milestone, O-Tāwhao will host a special episode of the popular Taringa podcast, with invited guests sharing their reflections of the enduring journey so far. This will be broadcast live on Monday, 28 April and livestreamed on Facebook.

From humble beginnings in a double garage in Te Awamutu, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa has grown into the second largest tertiary institution in Aotearoa – distinctly Māori, community-based, and built on the foundation of whānau transformation through education. Founded in 1985 by Dr Rongo Wetere and Boy Mangu, the wānanga was born out of a bold local response to the failure of mainstream education to meet the needs of rangatahi Māori. By offering these rangatahi an opportunity to learn whakairo (carving) and raranga (weaving), they helped build O-Tāwhao Marae itself.

This hands-on, kaupapa-driven approach to education laid the foundation for what would become the largest Māori tertiary provider in Aotearoa. Now with more than 80 sites throughout the motu, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa empowers thousands of tauira each year to succeed through programmes in education, social work, te reo Māori, business, trades, and vocational careers.

Also marking the 40th anniversary is the release of Tihei Wānanga III, a commemorative publication that captures key moments and voices from recent years. A documentary film is currently in production and will be released later in 2025.

Chief Executive Evie O’Brien says the milestone is an opportunity to reflect on their extraordinary achievements and look forward with purpose.

“This kaupapa started with a few determined people who believed in the power of mātauranga Māori and education to uplift our people – and that belief still drives us today,” says O’Brien.

“We’re proud of what’s been achieved and excited about where we’re heading. Our focus remains firmly on providing the outstanding educational experiences our whānau deserve and to continue transforming lives long into the future.”

At the heart of this journey is the enduring mission of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa: Kia angitu te tauira – Tauira success. New offerings in Digital Media and Design, Study and Employment Skills, Māori Governance, and Building, Construction and Allied Trades are being developed to meet the evolving aspirations of learners and communities. They will soon launch its next strategic direction, Te Pae Tawhiti 2030, setting out how it will continue to evolve to support tauira, kaimahi, iwi and communities in a rapidly changing education environment.

The livestream will be hosted via Facebook for all to enjoy: https://www.facebook.com/share/1NKRcogmmk/

Note: 

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa is a respected, uniquely Māori tertiary education provider, delivering a wide range of programmes to tauira throughout Aotearoa. For 40 years, it has been dedicated to promoting and preserving te reo Māori and mātauranga Māori, supporting learners and communities across the motu.

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