A karanga course for Maori women is proving so popular it is being offered at 17 sites around the country, now including the South Island.
The Poupou Karanga workshops are being offered through the Otaki-based Maori tertiary institution - Te Wananga o Raukawa.
The course was developed 12 years ago by Raina Ferris of Ngati Porou, renowned nationally for her prowess in the art of karanga.
She says over the years it has grown from strength to strength, instilling confidence in wahine to be able to stand proud when they deliver a karanga to manuhiri coming on to their marae.
Ms Ferris says she has just about been in every iwi rohe up and down the country. She will begin delivering the course in Invercargill.
She says karanga is the vessel she uses to help wahine Maori find their voice.
Ms Ferris says with many kuia passing on it is important those kinds of tikanga are transmitted to the next generation of kaikaranga or callers.
Te Wananga o Raukawa has confirmed 185 students have registered in Karanga Studies and enrolments will remain open until the maximum number of 30 pupils is reached at each course site.
It says some campuses have already reached the limit and students may enrol at other sites nearby.
