Building our cultural capability through te reo Māori courses
As well as celebrating te reo Māori, Mahuru Māori is an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of our Fire and Emergency New Zealand whānau in their own cultural capability journey. In August, 36 people from across the organisation completed a range of classes with AU Consulting focused on te reo Māori and knowledge of Māori culture.
The first class, Cultural Discovery, explored whakawhanaungatanga (building connections), tikanga, and the significance of tāngata whenua in Aotearoa. National Manager Local Advisory Committees, Lucy Chamberlain, was inspired to take the course because “many of my stakeholders are Māori, therefore learnings from the course around culturally appropriate language and tikanga will help maintain these important relationships."
Te Hiku Planning and Performance Manager, Maurice Bone, also attended the course which supported him to improve his pronunciation of kupu Māori (Māori words) and gain insight into the link between Māori language and culture. He added “this helps me consider what the community needs are when planning, not just what I would need if I was them.”
The second class, Te reo Ohooho (Level 1 Te Reo Māori) focuses on speaking basic te reo Māori in everyday settings. Participants found the course particularly useful for improving pronunciation. Course participant Katie Pocock reflected on the importance of the course in her role as Te Hiku Group Manager.
“My pronunciation and understanding of kupu Māori has improved which opens me up to making better relationships with iwi and improved outcomes for the wider community.”
Te Reo Māpihi Maurea (Level 2 Te Reo Māori) builds on foundations of Te Reo Ohooho and strengthens one’s everyday conversation and language structure.
“The course was structured in a simple and fun way to make the learning of a new language less overwhelming. Working in a kaupapa Māori space, it’s essential our team continues to improve our ability to think with a te ao Māori lens to uphold our commitment to working with Māori as tāngata whenua,” says Pou Whirinaki – Business Partner, Gano Perez.
Course participants collectively gathered for a final wānanga at Ngā Hau e Whā o Paparārangi Marae in Pōneke (Wellington) on 14 August 2025 to reflect on their learnings and graduate from their respective AU courses.
Several participants from Tāmaki Mākaurau (Auckland) were also eager, so a second final wānanga was hosted at Te Manukanuka o Hoturoa Marae. This would not have been possible without the connections and ability to bring people together at a moment’s notice from local Pou Takawaenga Māori Donna-Jean Tairi-Ngata.
The online courses and final marae wānanga have had a lot of positive feedback from participants. Here are a few of their reflections.
“It’s important to have conversations on projects with Māori early-on, not halfway through the process,” Ian Thompson – National Manager Business Operations
“It’s amazing the hard work done by so many people to establish and sustain a marae,” Matt Cuthell – Manager ICT Planning and Assurance
“The course acts as a reminder of the importance of culture. How it shapes your identity, and that you carry your ancestors wherever you go,” Agnes Sefo – National Manager Strategy and Performance
How to register for upcoming courses
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly in favour of more Fire and Emergency whānau getting stuck into the next round of AU classes. These classes involve five online sessions, a bit of self-directed learning, and one final wānanga on a marae.
The next round will begin early October. Click here (external link)to register.
Ki te hoe! Ekengia tō tatou waka - Pick up a paddle and get on board our waka!