Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary Education)

Enrolment Information for new learners

Please note: Enrolments for January for new learners have now closed. We are enrolling for July 2025

What you will Learn

Graduates of this programme will be able to:

• apply an in-depth understanding and knowledge of Te Tiriti of Waitangi, te Reo Māori, and tikanga Māori in primary education settings to support Māori learners to enjoy educational success as Māori;
• utilise skills for engaging appropriately and effectively with tamariki, their parents, families and whānau, as well as colleagues, stakeholder professionals and external organisations;
• utilise current research and critical reflection to analyse effective practices to continually improve design for learning and teaching during practicum in primary education settings; and
• apply professional learning and collaboration within and beyond their primary education settings. 

Teacher Registration

Once you have successfully completed this programme, you will be eligible to apply for registration and a practising certificate to begin your teaching career in New Zealand. A Tōmua | Provisional Practising Certificate is the first practising certificate you will hold. For New Zealand trained teachers, a Tōmua | Provisional Practising Certificate is issued or renewed for three years.

For more information please visit this link: 

Teaching Council of New Zealand, Applying for a Tōmua | Provisional Practising Certificate

Partner School

Ākonga require the support of an approved partner school in order to enter this programme. Open Polytechnic can assist with acquiring this support.

Ākonga are based in a local primary school (partner school) for two full days per week if full time, or one full day per week if part time (in addition to practicum). These days are decided between the ākonga and the school, and ākonga are expected to attend between 9am and 3pm as a minimum. There are 40 days in total across this programme.

A Mentor Teacher will guide you in a range of learning experiences and school-based tasks designed to develop your teaching practice alongside qualified kaiako. This time in school ensures you have the opportunity to directly connect theory (online learning) with practice (what you experience in schools). You are expected to contribute to the mahi of your partner school, based on your areas of skill or interest. This could be in areas such as performing arts, sports, languages and culture, etc.

If you have an existing relationship with a school (you already work there, or are well known to them), please approach them to seek candidate support for your application. Schools are busy places, so please contact them first to make an appointment. When you are in discussions with the school, please email or bring them a copy of this School Placement Information. This document includes the following:

• Partner School Letter: This letter explains why you are approaching the school for support.
• Programme Leaflet: This gives the school an overview of the programme and details the responsibilities required by the school.
• Candidate Support Form: Schools should complete and return this form to confirm their support.

We suggest you give yourself plenty of time to do this before the application close-off date.

If you do not have an existing relationship with the school, please do not approach a school directly, rather indicate this on the pre-enrolment check (also linked in the ‘Choose courses and apply’ tab).

Programme delivery

You will access courses online with academic support from academic staff members. Contact with academic staff members and other students will occur via iQualify talk channels, at noho marae and during practicums over the course of your study.

Noho marae

Ākonga participate in one compulsory noho marae (overnight stay) during the programme. Noho are held in 4 or 5 centres across the country. Ākonga will have an opportunity to connect with local tikanga and kawa (marae protocols and Māori practices), and te reo Māori.

Details for noho marae offered in 2025 will be confirmed soon, please check back at a later date.

Practicum

During this programme you will complete two full-time 8-week practicums. At these times, you are expected to be at school before 8:30am and to be available until 4pm each day. Only one of these may be completed at your partner school. You will be guided by an Associate Teacher as you engage with tamariki, whānau, and the wider school community.

During practicum, you will be supported to make progress towards specific Key Teaching Tasks. Towards the end of your practicum, you will have an opportunity to demonstrate your progress and ability to meet the Standards for the Teaching Profession (in a supported environment).

Learner Story

Maximum Programme Completion Time

To be awarded the qualification, the programme must be completed in no more than 3 years of first enrolment, unless there are exceptional circumstances.