Whakapiki Ake
Study Wānanga
The Whakapiki Ake Study Wānanga is a four-day academic and cultural kaupapa held during the third school holidays at Waipapa Marae, Waipapa Taumata Rau (The University of Auckland). This wānanga provides free Māori student support for Year 12 and Year 13 students enrolled in at least two NCEA pure science subjects at their level: NCEA Level 2 for Year 12 and NCEA Level 3 for Year 13. It’s designed for those thinking seriously about a future in health careers, STEM education, or university study pathways.
Academic Preparation & University Entrance Pathways
At the heart of Study Wānanga is academic excellence and externals preparation in NCEA Level 2 and NCEA Level 3 sciences (Chemistry, Biology, and Physics), Maths, and English. With expert teachers from across the motu, including current NCEA subject specialists, you’ll get tailored support to strengthen your knowledge, sharpen your study strategies, and build confidence ahead of external assessments.
We also introduce essential tools for tertiary preparation, including our interactive Rank Score Calculator and personalised advice on University of Auckland science programs. Whether aiming for health careers at the Faculty of Medical Health & Sciences or exploring STEM education pathways more broadly, this indigenous education programme is designed to set you up for academic success. Preparation = Success.
Calculate Your University Rank Score: Use our interactive Rank Score Calculator to see exactly where you stand for University of Auckland entry requirements and discover what NCEA grades you need to reach your tertiary study goals. Access the calculator here.
Marae Life & Whakawhanaungatanga
The wānanga is held at Waipapa Marae, where you’ll stay alongside other tauira for the duration of the programme. This immersive marae-based learning experience provides sleeping arrangements in shared spaces, with separate areas for tāne and wāhine. The marae provides a safe and inclusive environment for focused learning and whakawhanaungatanga.
All main meals are provided as part of this free Auckland science program. As part of daily marae life, tauira contribute by helping to keep shared spaces clean and tidy. These shared responsibilities help create a sense of belonging and collective care within our Māori student support community.
Tikanga and kawa guide how we live and learn together during the wānanga, from karakia to moving through the space. These cultural values ensure a respectful and supportive environment for both academic and personal growth, embodying the principles of indigenous education.
Study Wānanga Success Stories
“It was really helpful to know which study strategies were best for me, e.g. active learning. I learnt that teaching others is one of the best ways to learn and prepare for NCEA externals!”
Year 13 from Auckland Girls’ Grammar School
“It was helpful to know which credits and NCEA subjects I should be focusing on for university entrance. It also helped me to see what areas I’m lacking in and what I still need to do for my science pathway.”
Year 13 from Baradene College
“I was able to identify which areas I needed to work on and some exam preparation strategies on how to work on those. I also learnt how to break down the content into different sections so that it is easier to manage and study for tertiary preparation.”
Year 13 from Palmerston North Boys’ High School
“For me, going over the most important topics in each NCEA exam was very helpful. Going over how to get Excellence and how to structure an answer, what to include, etc. We got to practice questions with the teacher to expand our knowledge of how to write an answer and achieve academic excellence.”
Year 12 from Karamū High School
