Social Services (Level 4)
Title
New Zealand Certificate in Social Services Māori
Version
1
Qualification type
Certificate
Level
4
Credits
120
NZSCED
DAS classification
Qualification developer
NZQA, Māori Qualifications Services
Next review
Mmmm YYYY
Approval date
Dd Mmmm YYYY
Strategic purpose statement
This qualification is intended for those interested in work in the
area of human or social services. It will provide marae,
communities and the Social Services sector with people who
have applied skills in a mātauranga Māori social service context.
The purpose of this qualification is to develop an understanding
of work in a range of social service settings.
Graduates of this qualification are able to reflect on their own
whakapapa and the place of matauranga Māori in the application
of transformative practice. They will have attained the skills and
knowledge required to work at an introductory level of
competency in social service agencies or organisations, and to
contribute and advance the aspirations of their whānau, hapū,
iwi, and/or community.
Graduate profile
Graduates of this qualification will be able to apply the following
essential skills and relevant processes:
Te Reo me ngā Tikanga Māori (20 credits)

Use te reo Māori appropriately in a range of settings when
engaging with whānau, hapū, iwi and hapori.

Use research and analytical skills to inform better practice
and teo establish and enhance appropriate connections
across the sector.

Recognise the continuum of states of being such as
Kahupō, Pōrangi and Mauriora.

Understand and integrate kaupapa Māori principles for the
holistic development of self
Outcome Statement
Whanaungatanga (20 credits)

Apply effective communication skills and strategies to
achieve whanaungatanga.

Build and develop relationships that contribute and
maintain the desired outcomes.

Demonstrate understanding of the whānau as a political
unit in a social services context.

Identify and describe the complexities of whānau Māori
relationships.

Demonstrate mana protecting and mana enhancing
practices in working with those experiencing violence,
abuse, neglect, menal health and addicion related
problems as well as their extended whānau, hapū, iwi or
hapori.
Te Tika me te Pono (20 credits)

Engage in reflective practice to enhance and achieve
positive outcomes within the sector.

Develop and implement an ethical framework for
professional practice.

Describe the history and evolution of social work and its
impact on community work in Aotearoa/New Zealand
(including Wātene Māori).

Demonstrate understanding of the articles of Te Tiriti o
Waitangi, the role of government and the main legislation
relevant to social practice.

Develop an understanding of bicultural and principled
approaches to social services work.
Manaakitanga (20 credits)

Interact in a socially and culturally responsible manner.

Promote self-care and understand the importance of tapu
and noa processes and states.

Use basic understanding of social practice responses in
the manaaki of those affected by violence, abuse, neglect,
mental health and addiction.
Tino Rangatiratanga (20 credits)

Explore Māori models of leadership to inform decisions and
choices

Develop an understanding of mātauranga Māori
perspectives of Human Development across the life span
and the roles, responsibilities of ‘ages and stages’
Whānau Ora 20 credits)
Education pathway

Explain the historical context of the development of
Whānau Ora as a Government Policy for Social Services.

Explain how te Tiriti o Waitangi supports the concept of
Whānau Ora pertaining to Social Services...

Understand ethical boundaries and professional standards
within a Social Services context
This is an introductory qualification that leads on to the
New Zealand Diploma in Social Services Māori (Level 5),
New Zealand Diploma in Whānau Ora (Level 5)
New Zealand Diploma in Tiaki Kuia, Koroua,
New Zealand Diploma in Social Services (level 5),
New Zealand Certificate in Suicide Prevention (Level 5),
New Zealand Diploma in Child Protection (Level 5)
New Zealand Certificate in Addiction Studies Level 5,
New Zealand Certificate in Youth Development (Level 5)
Employment pathway
Holders of this qualification will have the skills and knowledge
required to work in formal and informal roles in the Social
Services sector, such as:
 Support workers,
 Peer support,
 Community health workers,
 Age Concern support,
 Volunteers that may lead to employment,
 Care-givers,
These roles may within government agencies, private and
marae-based organisations.
Whānau, hapū,
iwi/community pathway
This qualification provides a pathway for those who want to work
effectively in Māori communities. Graduates of this qualification
will:
 Support and assist whānau, hapū, iwi and hāpori to
encourage whānau to make positive decisions and choices
that would meet their social needs and future aspirations
based on kaupapa Māori principles.
The Headings:
Te reo me ngā tikanga Māori:
Acknowledges te reo Māori as the primary vehicle for expressing and transmitting Māori knowledge,
values, and tikanga. It also signifies the importance of tikanga Māori when interacting with Māori in
a Social Services context, and acknowledges that support of Māori includes knowledge of their
identity, their kawa, and tikanga and practices associated with them.
Whanaungatanga:
Ensures the prominence of relationships being based on respect, integrity and understanding
between the Māori person, their whānau and those offering care and support in a Social Services
context.
Te Tika me te Pono:
Ensures important aspects that relate to kawa and tikanga; legal obligations and compliance issues,
systems and procedures, ethics, and acting in a way that is socially and culturally responsible are
adhered to. It also looks into how these tools can be utilised in the practice of the professional to
achieve the best outcomes for whānau.
Manaakitanga:
Signifies as fundamental, the care of the Māori person, their whānau, hapū and iwi through the
expression of mana-enhancing behaviors and practices within a Social Services context. It also
identifies individual and whānau strengths, roles and responsibilities to empower Māori to achieve
their dreams.
Rangatiratanga:
Empowerment and expression of world view that is distinctively and uniquely Māori when
supporting Māori in a Social Services context.