Kaiako - Te Tohu Tātai Whetū

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa; Dunedin; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free health insurance

Free life insurance

Extra annual leave days (Matariki)?

Wellness program

Free on-site parking

Job summary

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa is seeking a Kaiako to deliver the NZ Certificate in Māori Astronomy (Level 4) within a kaupapa Māori framework in Dunedin. You will teach foundations of tātai whetū and connect learning to Māori history and hauora, while supporting tauira in developing both theory and practical skills.

The role requires knowledge of Māori astronomy, strong facilitation, and a commitment to whanaungatanga.

Qualifications

• Qualification in mātauranga Māori related to Tātai Whetū or equivalent experience.
• Adult tertiary teaching qualification and assessment standards, or commitment to attain within 12 months.
• Knowledge and experience in Māori astronomy with pūrākau, observation and tikanga-aligned practice.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the New Zealand Certificate in Māori Astronomy (Level 4) teaching foundations and applications of tātai whetū.
• Support tauira to develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills in Tātai Whetū (Matariki, Puanga, maramataka).
• Design and facilitate culturally rich learning experiences (noho marae, wānanga, land-based learning).
• Create an inclusive, learner-centred environment grounded in whanaungatanga and ako.
• Maintain academic quality and compliance, including assessment, moderation, and NZQA reporting.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts and the community to strengthen relationships with iwi, hapū and whānau.

Skills

Māori knowledge

Facilitation

Planning

Communication

Education

Mātauranga Māori qualification

Adult tertiary teaching qualification

Tools

NZQA moderation

Job description

As a proudly kaupapa Māori tertiary educator, ‘tauirasuccess’ is our mission and ‘whānau transformation through education’ isour vision, guiding our commitment to delivering quality education programmesunderpinned by Māori culture and values.

Our kaimahi enjoy a whānau-friendly workplace and a greatrange of benefits to support the wellbeing of them and their whānau

• Free health and life insurance for permanent employees
• Four extra annual leave days to celebrate Matariki and the holidayseason
• An awesome wellness programmethat offers free events and services to support your physical and mentalwellbeing.
• Free on-site carparking

Mō tēnei mahi | About this job

This is one of our innovative pilot programmes, so you will provideongoing feedback about the course and be supported to deliver a qualityeducational experience for our tauira.

As a Kaiako, you will:

• Deliver the New Zealand Certificate in MāoriAstronomy (Level 4), teaching tauira the foundations and applicationsof tātai whetū within a kaupapa Māori framework that buildsunderstanding of the history and traditions of Tātai Whetū, and explores itsenduring connections to the hauora (health and wellbeing) of people and thewellbeing of te taiao (the environment).
• Support tauira to developintroductorytheoretical knowledge and practical skills in Tātai Whetū, including Matariki,Puanga, and maramataka, from a te Ao Māori worldview
• Design and facilitate culturally rich learningexperiences, including noho marae, wānanga and land‑basedlearning aligned with marau and tikanga Māori.
• Create an inclusive, learner‑centred environment, groundedin whanaungatanga, ako, aro and te hiringa, that supports diverse learner needsand aspirations.
• Maintain academic quality and compliance, includingassessment, moderation, reporting and accurate record‑keeping in line withorganisational and NZQA requirements.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts and the community,contributing to kaupapa Māori knowledge-sharing and strengthening relationshipswith iwi, hapū and whānau.

We are looking for someone who has the following:

• A qualification in mātauranga Māori relatedto Tātai Whetū (or equivalent experience and expertise), alongside an adulttertiary teaching qualification and assessment standards (or commitment toattain within 12 months).
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience inMāori astronomy, with the ability to teach through pūrākau, observation andtikanga‑aligned practice.
• Strong facilitation, communication and planningskills, with a reflective, tauira‑focused approach to teaching and learning.
• Confidence using a range of delivery methods,including face‑to‑face, noho and te taiao‑based learning.
• A commitment to āhuatanga Māori,including participation in cultural practices and ongoing reo and tikangadevelopment.
• A full NZ Driver Licence and flexibilityto support off‑site learning activities.

As a kaupapa Māori organisation, your willingness toparticipate in cultural activities and develop an understanding of ĀhuatangaMāori (values, culture and tikanga) is desirable.

A position description is available on our careers website. For any other queries, please email [e-mail]