Learning a language is fun and interesting and you get a real sense of achievement as your communication skills in the foreign language improve, but also….

• it improves your employment potential within New Zealand and overseas – Being able to communicate in another language gives you a significant competitive advantage that sets you apart from your peers, employers seek people who can communicate with customers in new and expanding overseas market

• it increases your awareness of the world around you and language learning makes you more open minded to other people and their culture 

• Studying a language improves your cognitive ability, your social skills, communication and confidence

Courses in this Learning Area

Year 9 Spanish

Year 10 Spanish

Learning about Māori language and culture is very beneficial to ākonga as it not only enhances the understanding they have of Aotearoa, it shows pride in the heritage of this country and provides increased career opportunities. 

Here at Palmerston North Girls High School our Māori department offers several different courses to suit the needs and interests of our ākonga. Courses include Year 9 Te Ao Māori which is a compulsory introductory cultural course, Year 9-13 Te Reo Māori and Year 10-13 Te Ao Haka.  

Te Ao Māori

Te Ao Māori  is a  trimester long course aimed at supporting ākonga to understand and communicate about some important aspects of Māori culture by providing a window into the Māori worldview and fostering an understanding of Māori narrative, concepts and traditions. Te Ao Māori is a Year 9 compulsory course. 

Te Reo Māori

There are many Te Reo Māori courses all of which can be adapted to suit the learning needs of ākonga Māori. There are two Year 9 Māori Te Reo courses and students may do one or both courses, however the second course requires some knowledge of te reo and suits those that have either done the first course or those with a background in Te Reo Māori. Other pathways within the Senior Māori classes include Te Reo Rangatira which is suitable to those from a full immersion background. Te Reo Māori is a University Entrance approved subject available from Year 9-13.

Te Ao Haka

Te Ao Haka is a culturally responsive art form, providing opportunities for all ākonga to engage in Māori culture, language, and traditional practice. Te Ao Haka is founded on traditional knowledge, but is progressive in the development and evolution of the art form. Te Ao Haka is a University Entrance approved subject available from Year 10-13.

Courses in this Learning Area

Year 9 Te Ao Māori

Year 9 Te Reo Māori

Year 9 Te Reo Māori Advanced

Year 10 Te Ao Haka

Year 10 Te Reo Māori A

Year 10 Te Reo Māori B

Year 11 Te Ao Haka

Year 11 Te Reo Māori

Level 2 Te Ao Haka

Level 2 Te Reo Māori

Level 3 Te Ao Haka

Level 3 Te Reo Māori