Tūhuratia te
Wāhi Ngaro –
Explore the Sacred
NZQA Level 5 Accredited
Diploma in Christian Studies
Te Takawai
Te Takawai offers a Christian learning experience across Aotearoa, delivering the New Zealand Diploma in Christian Studies, a Level 5 NZQA-accredited qualification.
Rooted in mātauranga Mihinare, Te Takawai embodies a transformative faith of love (aroha), shaped by the worldview of our tūpuna. This worldview seamlessly integrates our iwi-based knowledge with an ancient Christian and Anglican global whakapapa.
The programme is delivered through ngā Hui Amorangi, the regional divisions of Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa, the Māori Anglican Church. Each Amorangi, founded by the iwi of that region, holds deep, meaningful connections to the mātauranga of its people. This rich cultural foundation will be woven throughout the course content.
Learners will immerse themselves in both te Ao Māori and te Ao Mihinare. From karakia to the use of te reo Māori, each Amorangi will uphold the principles of manaaki (hospitality) and whanaungatanga (relationship) at all times.
The learning environment will be safe, nurturing, and empowering, fostering
Christian discipleship in a space where learners can grow intellectually, spiritually, and relationally.
Ō Mātou Hoa Whakaako
– Our Partnership
Delivery sites for the programme are located in Tāmaki Makaurau, Rotorua, Te Papaioea, Ōtautahi, and Tūranganui-a-Kiwa.
NZQA Level 5 Accredited
Diploma in Christian Studies
Study Delivery Options
Online / Hybrid / Wānanga
Akonga will study across a range of modes: online in their own time with Moodle; together online with Zoom classes; and in person as part of immersive wānanga throughout the semester.
What We Offer You
Students will be well supported with dedicated support roles to be with you on your learning journey for both pastoral and academic needs. There will be extensive use of te reo Māori but plenty of help for learners and no prior knowledge is required.
Explore study options, campus life, how to enrol, and more.
Te Whakatakanga
Me Te Whakakitenga
– Our Mission and Vision
The Te Takawai Diploma in Christian Studies will equip you with the foundational skills and knowledge for ministry in a wide variety of settings across Aotearoa-New Zealand. From a grounding in scripture through to an understanding of our Christian whakapapa; from our Mihinare worship through to our doctrines and the centrality of Jesus in our faith – the Diploma is the place for you. And all grounded in the revelation of God’s creation as expressed in the mātauranga of these lands.
Te Hōtaka – Programme Structure
Duration: 2 years (part-time)
Delivery Mode: Online lectures and regional
wānanga
Credits: 120 credits
Ngā Akoranga – Course Overview
5 courses in 2025
Online / Hybrid / Wānanga — Credits: 15
The whakapapa of the Christian church is vibrant and varied, spanning centuries, continents, and communities. This course explores the tupuna, taonga and kōrero grounded in this whenua in conversation with the stories from across the world and throughout time. It calls us to enrich our collective understanding of Christianity through sharing this whakapapa and these taonga together.
Online / Hybrid / Wānanga — Credits: 15
This course provides akonga with a basis on which to understand and articulate their faith. Structured around Te Whakapono a ngā Āpōtoro (Apostles Creed), akonga
and kaiako will explore how mātauranga Mihinare can be developed through this ancient confession of Christian faith. Providing an engagement with the practice,
tīkanga, and taonga that have guided theological reflection, this course will provide the tools for doing theology unique to this whenua.
TĪKANGA KARAKIA (LEADING LITURGY)
Online / Hybrid / Wānanga — Credits: 10
Liturgy is sometimes translated as ‘the work ofthe people,’ the public worship of God’s people gathered before God and each other for karakia and whakamoemiti. Karakia ground us in relation to Atua, whenua, and tangata. This course engages the liturgy of Te Hāhi Mihinare inviting us to collectively shape and practice the work of tīkanga karakia in this whenua.
TE KAWENATA TĀWHITO
(INTRODUCTION TO OLD TESTAMENT)
Online / Hybrid / Wānanga — Credits: 15
This course provides ākonga with an introduction to interpreting the Hebrew Bible in its original context and what that means for contemporary contexts. Together, we will explore the central characters and events, examine various means of expression, and discuss the theological themes emphasised in the Hebrew Bible. We will do this through looking at the ways that Māori and Pasefika peoples employed their own mātauranga to interpret and employ these scriptures for their people.
TE HĀHI MIHINARE (BEING ANGLICAN)
Online / Hybrid / Wānanga — Credits: 5
This course explores how Te Pouhere – our revised constitution – was a prophetic expression of what it meant to be Anglican in these lands. Te Pouhere established co-governance decades before anyone else had heard of the term, and enshrined Te Tiriti as the foundation of our nation and the great taonga of our Church.
Understand what it means to be the “Church of Treaty” and how we live that out today and into the future.
Nga Ara Umanga – Career Pathways
From ordained ministry through to impactful work with NGOs and iwi, the Diploma will form an important part of your educational and career journey. It will enhance your career prospects both within the Church in society, displaying a range of skills and discipline that comes with high-quality, rigorous and accredited educational achievement.
Hei puna wai e pupū ake ana, ā te ora tonu rā anō.
A spring of water gushing up to eternal life.
– John 4:14
Ngā Kaiwhakaako – Meet Some of Our
Teachers
Reverend Dr Hirini Kaa
Manukura (Principal)
Of Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu and
Rongowhakaata descent, Hirini comes from a deep Mihinare whakapapa as God calls him as well as many before him. This has produced a deep knowledge of mātauranga Mihinare that manifests in a passionate faith in Ihu Karaiti.
Dr Andrew Picard
Manutaki Akoranga
(Academic Director)
Andrew has a deep passion for theological education that makes a difference in people’s lives and communities. His research and teaching are shaped by many years of
ministry experience, and the belief that good theology brings good news to the world.
.Dr Jenny Te Paa-Daniel
Taiahorangi (Professor
Emeritus)
A descendant of Te Rarawa, Jenny is a world leading theological scholar and seeker of justice. With five honorary doctorates from Anglican Seminaries around the world and incomparable networks, Jenny brings a vast generosity to the classroom.
Dr Tom Noakes-Duncan
Kaiwhakaako (Lecturer)
Tom has been formed within communities seeking after God’s peace and restoration.
He has taught and researched in practical theology, restorative justice, and social transformation. Tom has a heart for the church and its contextual mission.