22 February 2026
Tūranga Māori is the Cook Islands cultural framework within the Nga Vaka o Kāiga Tapu Micro-Credential. It supports health, social service, education and community practitioners to strengthen their cultural capability when working alongside Cook Islands families and to respond to family violence.
One of eight cultural frameworks that make up the Level 6 Nga Vaka o Kāiga Tapu Micro-Credential, Tūranga Māori recognises that meaningful engagement begins with understanding the unique values, identity, genealogy and family structures that shape Cook Islands communities. Guided by a vision of strengthening the wellbeing of households, families and communities, the framework helps practitioners build trust, strengthen relationships and support safer outcomes for families.
Learning that reaches beyond Auckland
The recent Tūranga Māori training brought together 16 practitioners from across Aotearoa, representing health, social services and community organisations. While many travelled from across Auckland, others made the journey from Whangārei and Hamilton, recognising the limited opportunities available to access Cook Islands-specific professional development in their own regions.
Facilitated by Pastors Teremoana Tauira and Kitiona Tauira, the training created a space for practitioners to deepen their understanding of Cook Islands worldviews, family relationships and the cultural factors that influence how families experience and respond to family violence.
Nga Vaka o Kāiga Tapu facilitators are selected for their cultural expertise, knowledge of social work practice in Aotearoa New Zealand, and experience working alongside Pacific families. Their combined cultural and professional expertise ensures the training is grounded in both lived experience and practical application.
The willingness of practitioners to travel reflected a growing need for ethnic-specific learning that goes beyond broad Pacific approaches and equips practitioners with knowledge tailored to the communities they serve.
Knowledge that can be taken back into practice
Throughout the training, participants explored how Cook Islands history, genealogy, migration and cultural values continue to shape identity, family relationships and wellbeing today.
Rather than learning culture as theory, practitioners engaged in practical discussions and case studies, helping them consider how cultural understanding influences the way they ask questions, build relationships and support families.
One participant reflected:
“The information I can take away about Tūranga Māori isn’t something I could implement in our community without this training.”
Others spoke about gaining a new perspective through a Cook Islands lens and recognising the importance of genealogy and family connections when working alongside Cook Islands families.
Another participant shared:
“I was able to see a different perspective – from a Cook Island lens, the different values, the way I should approach and frame my questions, ensuring that I am linking them to the values of the Tūranga Māori framework so that I am connecting with the people.”
Building capability where it is needed most
Participants consistently described the value of learning that was specific to Cook Islands communities, particularly around genealogy, migration and family structures. Many also expressed a desire for more opportunities to practice applying the framework to real-life scenarios, highlighting their commitment to taking the learning back into their everyday work.
As one of eight cultural frameworks within the Nga Vaka o Kāiga Tapu Micro-Credential, Tūranga Māori continues to strengthen the Pacific workforce by providing practitioners with culturally grounded knowledge that supports more responsive, respectful and effective practice with Cook Islands families.
To learn more about Tūranga Māori and explore the full Nga Vaka o Kāiga Tapu Micro-Credential, visit the programme page.
https://ngavaka.nz/training/micro-credential-professional-development/