How Te Reo Māori and Aotearoa New Zealand’s Culture is Beneficial to You | Study With New Zealand

Learning about the people, land and culture of Aotearoa New Zealand will make your study abroad experience more enriching. 

For many students looking to study abroad in Aotearoa New Zealand, it is often the wild, majestic beauty of the land and sea that draws students to seek a greater adventure. However, the culture and people play a significant role in what makes Aotearoa New Zealand unique. Māori (the Indigenous people are renowned for their rich culture and hospitality, and these values are woven through society. And the best way to learn about a culture is through its language.  

Most universities in Aotearoa New Zealand encourage you to take general interest courses as part of your studies, even if they're not directly related to your main subject area. Here are four things you could learn.  

Tikanga Māori – the Māori way of doing things, is about behaving in a way that is culturally respectful or appropriate. This is crucially based on cultural knowledge that has been passed down.  

All of Aotearoa New Zealand’s institutions reference tikanga to some extent but adding a Māori course to your degree gives you immediate exposure to the people, culture, and language.  

Through the cultural knowledge taught in class, you will learn how to properly pronounce Māori names and landmarks as well as know their meanings. You will learn to understand the cultural protocols of visiting a marae and partaking in any ceremonies. When you visit any of Aotearoa New Zealand’s beautiful landmarks, you will know all the legends and stories surrounding any mountain, river, or forest; nothing beats the feeling of knowing the history and lore of the places you visit! 

The cultural knowledge that you gain from your Māori course will provide new insight in the way you interact with your new surroundings. 

Learn more about Māori culture here. 

Te reo Māori (the Māori language) is one of two official languages in Aotearoa New Zealand, along with New Zealand Sign Language. It is a very important part of Aotearoa New Zealand's culture.  Children are taught te reo Māori in schools and most New Zealanders have some knowledge of Māori language and customs – you’ll hear lots of Māori words used in everyday conversations. 

In all government buildings and educational institutions and some libraries, tourist spots and scenic landmarks, you’ll find signs in both English and te reo Māori. You'll hear speeches in te reo Māori at important national and community events. 

Many of Aotearoa New Zealand’s cities, regions, mountains, lakes and rivers still have their original te reo Māori names. You might even be living in one of these cities or towns! 

As with all cultures, te reo is the key to unlocking a true understanding of Māori culture. Making an effort to learn the language will be invaluable to a person who truly wants to make the most of their time in Aotearoa New Zealand  

If you’d like to learn some te reo Māori, check out suggestions for ways to reach this goal and some resources from Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (the Māori Language Commission).

The Kupu app, available on Google Play or from the App Store, is also a great place to start. You can also study te reo at schools and community centres across New Zealand – which would be a great place to make friends!

There are lots of online te reo Māori courses too, if you’d rather learn from home. 

Find a course to learn te reo Māori. 

A big part of the study abroad experience is not only expanding your horizons (physically) but expanding your mindset as well! Learning the values, attitudes and lifestyle of another country has many added benefits that will help you in a global environment.  

Here is an insight into what this looks like in Aotearoa New Zealand.  

The Aotearoa New Zealand culture is open-minded and welcoming to people of all countries and cultures. As a country, we value kindness, tolerance and friendship. We’re open-minded and welcoming toward all religions and uphold the right to freedom of religion, worship and belief for all. Kiwis expect everyone to be treated fairly and they enjoy feeling safe in their homes and in public places. 

New Zealanders are generally relaxed, positive people who love to work hard, spend time with friends and family and enjoy the beautiful country they live in. New Zealanders – or Kiwis, as they’re often known – balance time at work with time to relax and unwind. 

There may be many things that are different to your home country here. From our public holidays to our celebrations. The more you experience here, the better you'll understand our culture – and the more you will be able to take back out to the world.  

The knowledge and experience that you receive from your Māori course will be just as special as any souvenir you bring home. 

You will return with a new mindset that will allow you to see the world differently with cultural insight. The traditional Māori concepts will continue to be a source you tap into as you continue with your life and career. Whether you end up navigating your own culture or other foreign cultures, the learnings from Māori teachings are sure to enhance your overall skillset.  

Learning about Māori culture is an opportunity that every international student should take advantage of when studying in Aotearoa New Zealand. Not only is it beneficial to the way students engage with and explore the community around them while they are in New Zealand, but it also helps broaden their wider world understanding of cultures, languages and values. A necessity in today’s global work environment.