Tipu Ake means 'to grow and mature'. Tipu Ake is a unique course with a specifically Maori flavour that will provide you with skills to work effectively in Maori communities in both urban and rural contexts.

Tipu Ake Year One is a full time (120 credit) level four Certificate course. It runs alongside the Praxis Year One and Two programmes and aims to help each student develop their use and confidence in te reo Maori (you do not need to be a speaker of Maori to begin). The course will provide a focus on issues around youth work and development practice from a Maori perspective.

Programme

You will have 3 block courses of 12 days each and two of 6 days to attend over the year. You will also meet with a tutor in between block courses. Most of your lectures will be offered through the block courses, and you will be given assignment work to take home after each one. Outside of block courses, you are expected to work with your agency for at least 3 days per week.  Many of your block courses will be with other Praxis students, and at least one will be just for Tipu Ake students. Where block courses are held as noho marae, your food and accommodation are covered in your fees.

We can help you find accommodation during the non/marae block courses if you need it (let us know in plenty of time). Your travel to all block courses and accommodation during the non-marae based blocks is at your own cost. Many agencies provide support with travel costs and you should negotiate this before you begin the course.

You may be offered the option of taking part in a block course with indigenous Pasifika youth workers (Ola Fou) in Fiji or Samoa. The costs for this event are not covered in your fees, and cannot be paid from a Student Loan.

We strongly recommend that all Tipu Ake students have regular access to a computer with email or internet.


E tipu e rea mo nga ra o to ao
Grow up oh tender plant in the days of your life

O ringaringa ki nga rakau o te pakeha
Grasp hold of the tools of the education of this modern world

Hei oranga mo to tinana
To sustain you through this life

To ngakau ki nga taonga a o tipuna Mâori
Grasping hold of the treasures of your ancestors

Hei tikitiki mo to mahunga
As an adornment /plume for your

To wairua ki te Atua
Be spiritually devoted to Almighty God

Na na nei nga mea katoa
The creator and giver of all things 

Na Ta Apirana Ngata
Translation George Ehau