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Applications open now

Applications are now open until 20th Feburary 2026. Click the buttons below to apply. 

2026 TE RITO O ROTOWHIO APPLICATION FORM

TE WĀNANGA WHAKAIRO RĀKAU

TE TAKAPŪ O ROTOWHIO

Become a tauira (student) at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute (NZMACI), where we welcome creative minds from every corner of Aotearoa.  

Under the guidance of our tohunga (master artists), you’ll learn the revered traditional arts of whakairo rākau (wood carving), whakairo pounamu, kōhatu me te parāoa (stone and bone carving), and raranga me te whatu (weaving). This pathway is shaped by the intergenerational responsibilities we carry to uphold, strengthen, and pass on the artistic traditions of our iwi and hapū, ensuring these taonga remain in the hands of those connected to them. 

Timeline and intake process: 

Successful applicants will be confirmed in mid-April 2026.

  • The 2026 intake will start from 20 July 2026, aligning with Matariki. 
  • We accept 12 – 15 students per year across the three wānanga. To maintain the standard and quality of our graduates, places are strictly limited.
  • Applicants must be of Māori descent and 18 years or older 

As NZMACI is not New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) aligned, Government supported student loans are not accessible, therefore the scholarship to individual tauira helps support their study and the costs of living throughout the duration of their study. 

From the 2026 tauira intake, programme costs will apply. These are separate from the scholarship, which is provided to support tauira with their living and study-related expenses. We are working with iwi, government and funding partners to minimise or fully remove programme costs for tauira. More information will be provided before full applications open.

About the NZMACI Wānanga 

Te Rito o Rotowhio – School of Weaving (2 Years) 

You must be able to demonstrate a competency in Māori art and/or design and have an ability and willingness to interpret and understand the theory component of this qualification.

Visit Te Rito o Rotowhio page to learn more about this study programme and the learning modules.

For all enquiries or to have a kōrero about studying at NZMACI please email [email protected].

Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau – School of Wood Carving (3 Years) 

You must be able to demonstrate a competency in Māori art and/or design and have an ability and willingness to interpret and understand the theory component of this qualification. 

Visit Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau page to learn more about this study programme and the learning modules.

For all enquiries or to have a kōrero about studying at NZMACI please email [email protected].

Te Takapū o Rotowhio – School of Stone & Bone Carving (2 Years)

You must be able to demonstrate a competency in Māori art and/or design and have an ability and willingness to interpret and understand the theory component of this qualification. 

Visit Te Takapū o Rotowhio page to learn more about this study programme and the learning modules.

For all enquiries or to have a kōrero about studying at NZMACI, please email [email protected].