Te Ara Oranga
Be supported on your MIT journey with Te Ara Oranga
Are you Māori or Pasifika and passionate about health?
Do you want to make a positive difference to, and for, Māori and Pasifika health?
If you are Māori and Pasifika and choose to study nursing, health, counselling or social work with MIT, you’ll get support throughout your journey from study to employment with Te Ara Oranga (TAO).
What is Te Ara Oranga?
Te Ara Oranga is a health workforce development service to support Māori or Pasifika students throughout their journey, from study to employment.
MIT and Health NZ - Te Whatu Ora, are working in partnership, through TAO, to support 1000 Māori and Pasifika students into the health workforce by December 2025.
If you're Māori or Pasifika and interested in helping people and whole communities reach their health potential, then contact the team at TAO.
You'll get support from day one
When you join TAO, we will walk with you on your journey from enrolment to graduation, and on to direct health workforce employment opportunities.
Together we will:
- Support you to set your health career pathway vision
- Identify the programme(s) that will support you to achieve your vision
- Work with you to help you apply and enrol into the right MIT nursing, health, counselling or social work programme
- Link you to helpful learning tips
- Help you find a placement or otherwise put you in a good position to start working.
Register with Te Ara Oranga
Register today with TAO and together we will celebrate our cultural identity as Māori and Pasifika peoples who will make a positive contribution to the growth and development of Aotearoa New Zealand health workforce.
Explore your study options within
Nursing, Health, Counselling or Social Work
Whether you are looking at becoming a registered nurse, or want to develop policy as a health practitioner, there are options to suit you at MIT.
Our nursing, health, counselling and social work programmes start at level 3, and go right through to level 7 bachelor programmes. We have full-time, part-time, and online options so you can choose a study option to fit your life.
Many of our programmes are open-entry, and your study could be free*. Check out our free study options and funding and scholarship support.
See why more people choose MIT
MIT has been awarded the highest possible rating, Category One, by the NZQA. We are the quality choice.
But don't just take our word for it, see why more people choose MIT.
Apply now for our next intake
If you know what you want to study and you’re ready to take the next step to your dream job, apply now and secure your place.
If you need help deciding what to study, or need support with your application, the TAO team are available online from 8.30am - 5pm Monday to Friday. Contact us via tearaoranga@manukau.ac.nz. (Please contact us by email, to check availability outside of these hours).
Due to high demand, we recommend applying early.
See what our students and grads have to say about Te Ara Oranga
“I enjoy the support services such as Te Ara Oranga, they’re very understandable and will do all they can get us across the line – from finances to scholarship opportunities, nursing kits and awhi in travel, ka rawe!
The kaiako I’ve met has been beautiful to me on this learning journey. Also, the opportunities I got as a tauira, travelling Aōtearoa and meeting new people, has been awesome and I know it will continue for the rest of my studies here.
Understand your why as this will be the drive for you to get past the finish line, make the most of the support given – the support is there, and embrace your culture.
You got this!"
Autymn William
MIT student
“I made good use of the academic learning support services at MIT. The team of librarians, the Career and Employment Services (CES) and Te Ara Oranga were super helpful. They offer effective learning tools to help you manage your time and workload. Also, there are counsellors if you need advice or someone to talk to.
The staff are amazing and actually care about your wellbeing and studies.
It is the best learning institute in South Auckland.”
Elizabeth Manu
MIT student
“I want to become the best Māori Croatian nurse out there.
Knowing there aren't too many Māori nurses I wanted to show that we aren't just the stereotype people make us out to be. I wanted to show my babies that if you want to be something, go for it.
MIT and Te Ara Oranga provided me with a safe space and friendly staff/lecturers that were willing to help me reach my goal. They knew my situation. They knew I was struggling with my babies, and I'm annoying with questions, but any question I had they would answer and even if that person didn't know they would find a way to get the answer. The most lovely staff – I couldn't recommend anyone else.
I enjoyed the people, the diverse cultures, and the amazingness of everyone coming together to reach the same goals.
My advice is 'just do it'. You are never too old or too young, if this single mama of three can do it, so can you! “
Kayla Leef
MIT student
“He raukura tēnei o Te Aho Matua.
I studied under / I am a graduate of Te Aho Matua / the Kura Kaupapa Māori model of education. My first exposure to mainstream education was when I enrolled for MIT.
MIT offers great support, even coming from overseas, they offer support for all walks of life. I enrolled with Te Ara Oranga, and they offer a service that supports students from the day of enrolment to the day of employment.
My ideal job looks like a position in the healthcare sector that is underpinned by Māori concepts, for Māori.“
Awhina-Tawera Takuira-Mita
MIT student