What is "wananga"

n. (context NZ English) A school in New Zealand that teaches native Maori knowledge, instituted by the Education Act of 1990.

In the education system of New Zealand, a wānanga is a publicly owned tertiary institution that provides education in a Māori cultural context. Section 162 of the Education Act 1989 (re-affirmed by the Waitangi Tribunal in 2005) specifies that wānanga resemble mainstream universities in many ways. , wānanga offer certificates, diplomas, and bachelor-level degrees, with some wānanga providing programmes in specialized areas up to doctorate level.

Wānanga educational programmes, accredited through the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and through the Ministry of Education, are partly governed by New Zealand's Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).

Outside the formal education system, the word wānanga conveys meanings related to highly evolved knowledge, lore, occult arts, and also "forum" - in the sense of a discussion to arrive at deeper understanding.