Awhi Nuku: Adventures in te Reo
The learning will be unforgettable
Makaira is a registered kaiako from Parihaka pā with over six years teaching the arts within all levels of kaupapa Māori education in te reo, incorporating Toi te Kupu (Māori oral traditions of whaikōrero, karanga, waiata and karakia), creative writing, visual art, drama, music and dance. An experienced outdoor pursuits leader (including mōkihi adventures), his personal agenda in leading this programme is to indulge in creative play in nature with other big kids through the wonders of te ao Māori.
Are you looking for opportunities to practise and develop your reo? Can you hold a conversation but don’t have anyone to kōrero with? Would you like something really special in your life?
Awhi Nuku takes learning to another level with exciting outdoor adventures that bring Māori culture alive through fun and playful hands-on activities in a supportive rūmaki environment. Grow your reo through inspiring group challenges reviving traditional skills our tūpuna used to thrive in nature, from cooking with fire to building mōkihi and wharau. Together we will make memories that will not only help your language blossom inside of you, but your mouri too!
Mouri tū, mouri ora
Powerful facilitation
Creative games will integrate learning and make those special moments sing by weaving together waiata, whakaari, tī rākau and visual art to celebrate the shared stories we are creating. By the end of the term, you’ll have a rich kete of kupu grounded in practical usage, beautiful memories made with new friends, and a deeper understanding of Māori culture from lived experience. Your inner child will love you for it!
About a year ago, I began meeting weekly with Makaira to improve my spoken reo Māori. I had completed about five years of formal classroom study, but I knew that becoming a confident speaker required more than classroom learning. I was looking for someone who could help me bridge the gap between knowing the language and using it naturally in conversation.
Working with Makaira has been one of the most valuable parts of my language-learning journey. As a fluent speaker of te reo Māori, he brings not only deep knowledge of the language but also an exceptional ability to teach it. He has a remarkable talent for identifying the specific areas that will have the greatest impact on my progress. His lessons are thoughtfully tailored to my needs, and we practise each new concept until I can use it confidently in everyday conversation.
When practising my Māori skills, I spend most of my time speaking with other learners, so it's reassuring to work regularly with someone whose knowledge is both fluent and authoritative. I never have to wonder whether the grammar, pronunciation, or expressions I'm learning are correct. Makaira explains the language with clarity and patience, and his guidance has given me confidence that I am building good habits rather than reinforcing mistakes.
What sets Makaira apart, however, is not only his knowledge but also his creativity. He has an instinct for finding engaging and memorable ways to explain difficult concepts, making each lesson both enjoyable and effective. His enthusiasm for the language is infectious, and his encouragement has given me the confidence to attempt things that I would previously have avoided.
Over the past year, I have come to appreciate Makaira not only as an outstanding teacher but also as a person of generosity, kindness, and integrity. I feel genuinely fortunate to have learned from him, and I can recommend him without reservation to anyone who wants to improve their reo Māori. Whether you are just beginning your journey or looking to become a more confident speaker, you could not ask for a more knowledgeable, dedicated, or inspiring teacher.
- Mark Pichot, July 2026
“He ara ātaahua tēnei ki te torotoro i te reo, ki te hono atu ki te taiao, me te whakakī i te wairua. Ngā mihi nui mō tōu whakaaweawe me tōu arahanga. I tukuna mai i te ngākau hūmarie me te manaaki, ā, i rongo au i te haumaru ki te whai wāhi atu me te kore e whakawāngia mō taku kore e matatau ki te reo.”
“Makaira is a fantastic teacher, he gets down to your level and is interested in what you want to learn about and incorporates these into his lessons catering to all.”
“He kaupapa tēnei hei whakaruku i a koe ki tō wairua, ki te whakarongo ki ōu tūpuna. He kaupapa anō hei whakapiki i te pūkenga ki te hono i āu kupu, āu mihi aroha ki ngā iwi, ki ngā tāngata. Arā ka patua te whakamā! Ka rawe! Nui te mihi ki a koe Makaira i ārahi ai kia hoki ki ngā tūpuna, ki ngā kupu e takoto nei i te wairua.”
"This became my favourite day of the week. I looked forward to class, seeing new mates, learning te reo, practising waiata and sharing some much needed joy! I never felt whakamā.”
“He tino akomanga tēnei. Ka tupu ō pūkenga me tō kaha i roto i te ao Māori! He maha ngā hua: ka piki te reo Māori, ka rere ngā kupu Māori, ka patua te taniwha o te whakamā."
"Makaira was great fun, enjoyed a laugh and made everything he taught very relatable. I really enjoyed this course. I loved the wonderful feeling of connection and space to share.”
“He kaupapa tēnei e whāngai mai ai i te wairua me te ngākau. Ahakoa he kaupapa whai māramatanga ki te ao Māori, he kaupapa mō ia tangata ahakoa ko wai, ahakoa nō hea!”
“This course is a place where you can feel welcomed and express yourself freely, without any judgement. I would tell my friends they should definitely try it out!”