Marae governance and management

A certificate in marae governance, leadership and economic development

Strengthening marae. Building futures. Growing potential of whānau, hapū and iwi.

Develop leadership, governance, and administration skills for your marae or rōpū with Te Pou Hono ki Mahi Marae at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.

This Te Pou Hono certificate focusses on marae management, social, cultural and economic development and growing operational skills to uplift communities grounded in tikanga Māori.

Whether you're actively involved in marae operations or looking to contribute, Te Pou Hono ki Mahi Marae equips you with the knowledge and tools to lead with confidence and cultural integrity.

Lead marae development projects, manage funding and resources, support iwi and hapū economic initiatives, and strategic planning. Develop critical skills for resilience in today’s world.

Why Study Te Pou Hono ki Mahi Marae?

Community Impact
Designed to strengthen marae infrastructure and leadership. Contribute to the economic social and cultural wellbeing of your marae or rōpū

Culturally Grounded Learning
Marae-based learning model grounded in tikanga Māori.

Practical and Relevant
Learn skills that can be applied immediately in your marae and community to improve marae operations and sustainability

Self-Determined Localised Learning
Delivered by and for your own members. Learn from your own leaders, in your own spaces, at your pace focussing on kaupapa of significance to your marae or community.

What you’ll learn in Te Pou Hono ki Mahi Marae:

• Cultural, social and economic development of marae communities
• Governance and leadership structures
• Strategic planning rooted in tikanga Māori
• Rangatiratanga and tuakana-teina mentoring
• Community engagement and leadership
• Tikanga-based approaches to marae operations
• Marae operational and organisational skills
• Financial literacy and sustainability
• Building capacity for whānau, hapū, and iwi economic wellbeing

Who should apply?

Te Pou Hono programmes are designed for collective learning by groups such as whānau, hapū, marae, iwi, kōhanga reo, kura, kapa haka and other Māori entities.

• The following groups are ideal:
• Those wanting to broaden their skills in the management, leadership and administration of their marae or rōpū
• Marae trustees, committees, and leadership groups
• Whānau involved in or wishing to learn more about marae governance
• Iwi and hapū looking to strengthen marae-based projects
• Community groups supporting Māori initiatives

Te Kaupapa o Te Pou Hono – Strategic Purpose

Te Pou Hono is a suite of marae-centred courses that help marae, whānau, hapū and iwi to strengthen and revitalise Te Ao Māori in ways that reflect their own local identity.

Each Te Pou Hono course explores a unique theme that reflects different aspects of marae-centred knowledge and practice.

Te Pou Hono is intended for groups, where individuals learn collectively. It enables marae to bring together their people from across the country to share and learn from the collective knowledge held by whānau, hapū and iwi, ensuring it is passed from one generation to the next.