Overview
The aim of the programme is to foster confidence and provide an understanding of the skills and knowledge graduates will need to move into art study at higher levels and a career by providing hands-on practical art introduction programmes that are designed to give:

• An understanding of Äkonga potential in the arts
• A chance for Äkonga who do not have the confidence or skills to
  undertake tertiary
• Methods of study to begin their journey in a supportive environment
• A pathway to higher level whäkairo programmes.

Content
Successful graduates of this programme will be expected to be able to:

• Confidently demonstrate generic Whäkairo skills, values and
  understandings that will enable them to pursue the study of whäkairo
  at a higher (tertiary) level
• Explain creative processes
• Demonstrate competence in creative processes and techniques
  through a variety of media especially wood
• Express their personal cultural identity in relationship to Mäori
  culture and art forms
• Articulate and demonstrate competence in basic communication,
  workshop, work-site and safety skills.

Career Options

• Teaching
• Mäori Liaison
• Self employment
• Certificate in Applied Arts (Level 4)
• Mäori Weaponry - Mahi Tü Taua

Further Study

• Certificate in Applied Arts - Mäori Art and Design (Level 4)

Admission Information
Applicants must be 16 years of age or older at the time of enrolment, unless approved otherwise by the Programme Leader.

Students must be able to demonstrate evidence of suitability based on interview and/or portfolio.

Applicants for whom English is not their first language require a minimum IELTS score of 5.5.

Qualification Gained:

Northland Polytechnic Certificate in Whäkairo (Visual Arts)