Te Mahi Ako
Te Mahi Ako is a New Zealand Private Training Establishment that delivers work-based NZQA vocational qualifications across seven sectors — aquatics, exercise, sport, snowsport, outdoor recreation, entertainment and events, and Mātauranga Māori — for employed and volunteer learners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersWellington, New Zealand
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Te Mahi Ako does
Te Mahi Ako is a New Zealand Private Training Establishment (PTE) founded in 2022 by Skills Active Aotearoa to deliver work-based vocational qualifications for the active recreation, leisure, and entertainment sectors (te ahumahi ā-rēhia). It carries forward over 30 years of prior sector-specific learning delivery from its parent and is governed as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Skills Active Aotearoa with operations across 16 New Zealand regions. Its qualification portfolio spans seven verticals — Aquatics, Entertainment and Events, Exercise, Mātauranga Māori, Outdoor Recreation, Snowsport, and Sport and Community Recreation — including programmes from Level 2 through Level 5 such as the NZ Certificate in Sport Coaching Level 3, NZ Certificate in Exercise Level 4, and the Snowsport Patrol Leader apprenticeship pathway. Delivery is supported by the Kairangi learner portal, an employer-facing workplace portal, an assessor portal, and Microsoft Teams-enabled facilitated cohorts.
The underlying technology is a multi-portal web platform (learner, workplace, assessor) layered over NZQA's regulated qualification framework, with assessment grounded in workplace-based evidence collection rather than classroom instruction. Proprietary elements include a Work-Based Learning Assessment System, an Evidence Verification System leveraging supervisors as in-workplace assessors, and the Te Whare Tapa Whā learner support framework. The organization also publishes career-mapping resources for each vertical and offers free self-paced courses (e.g., Evidence Verifier Course). Recent product activity includes the April 2026 launch of Sport & Recreation Foundations (Level 3), a May 2026 international lifeguard training alignment, and the 2026 Sports Coaching facilitated cohort.
Revenue mechanics combine programme fees (per qualification, with publicly disclosed fee schedules), government funding streams (Fees Free scheme covering final-year study from 2025, Mana in Mahi for disadvantaged labour-market entrants, Fast Start Scholarships funding the Essential Operations Series), and workplace-sponsored enrolment. Distribution runs through self-service portal enrollment, a 16-region field advisor network, Gateway school partnerships, workplace relationship agreements, and volunteer club pathways for sports coaching. Customers span individual learners (ākonga), employers (councils, gyms, aquatic facilities, sports clubs, event venues), secondary schools, and registered assessors.
Te Mahi Ako firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Te Mahi Ako
- Legal name
- Te Mahi Ako
- Website
- https://temahiako.org.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Te Mahi Ako is a New Zealand Private Training Establishment that delivers work-based NZQA vocational qualifications across seven sectors — aquatics, exercise, sport, snowsport, outdoor recreation, entertainment and events, and Mātauranga Māori — for employed and volunteer learners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Te Mahi Ako industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vocational Education and Training
- NAICS
- Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)
Keywords
Where Te Mahi Ako is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wellington
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices2 records
Markets served
Te Mahi Ako business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Programme Fees: Fees charged for programme enrollment and assessment. Fees vary by programme and are structured to enable workforce development at reasonable prices. A fees list is publicly available.
- Government Funding - Fees Free Scheme: Government-funded training where eligible first-time learners can claim back fees through Inland Revenue after completing their qualification. Covers final year of study from 2025 onwards.
- Fast Start Scholarships: Fully funded training for Essential Operations Series programmes, covering assessment and enrollment costs for employers. Provides bulk enrollment discounts for councils and larger organizations.
- Mana in Mahi Programme: Government programme helping workplaces support people who have had difficulty in the labour market. Employers may pay training wage to eligible staff completing qualifications.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Standard Programme Fees |
| Subscription | Annual | Fees Free Eligible Programmes |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Essential Operations - Free for Enrolees |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Tikanga Programme - No Cost |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Sports Coaching L3 2026 Cohort |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Training Minimum Wage Option |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Te Mahi Ako product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Te Mahi Ako delivers work-based vocational training and NZQA qualifications across seven sector programmes (Aquatics, Entertainment and Events, Exercise, Mātauranga Māori, Outdoor Recreation, Snowsport, Sport and Community Recreation). Learners gain nationally recognised qualifications while remaining employed, with assessment conducted on-the-job using workplace evidence. Programmes are supported by an online learner portal, assessor network, regional advisors, and government-funded pathways.
Product overview
Te Mahi Ako is a Private Training Establishment (PTE) offering work-based learning programmes for the active recreation, leisure, and entertainment sectors. The portfolio consists of seven sector-specific qualification programmes (Aquatics, Entertainment and Events, Exercise, Mātauranga Māori, Outdoor Recreation, Snowsport, and Sport and Community Recreation), delivered through a learner portal platform and assessor portal. Additional offerings include facilitated cohort programmes like the Sports Coaching cohort, the Essential Operations Series bundle of fully funded qualifications, Tikanga workplace programmes, the Gateway Programme for secondary schools, and learner support services. The organisation also provides career mapping resources and evidence verifier training.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Work-Based Learning Programmes
- Aquatics Qualifications
- Entertainment and Event Operations Qualification
- Exercise Qualification
- Mātauranga Māori Qualifications
- Outdoor Recreation Qualifications
- Snowsport Qualifications
- Sport and Community Recreation Qualifications
- Sports Coaching Facilitated Cohort
- Essential Operations Series
- Tikanga (Mātauranga Māori) Programme
- Gateway Programme
- Evidence Verifier Course
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 6,200 enrolments supported in 2025
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Te Mahi Ako
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Te Mahi Ako technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Te Mahi Ako partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Skills Active AotearoacoreParent company that established Te Mahi Ako in 2022 to take over work-based learning services. Skills Active has provided work-based learning to te ahumahi ā-rēhia for over 30 years. Provides governance, strategic leadership, and qualification development support.
- Toi MaicoreWorkforce development council that took over standard setting functions. Schools must apply to Toi Mai for consent to assess for unit standards. Te Mahi Ako provides resources but cannot enter agreements allowing schools to report credits under PTE provider code.
- Thrive Spaces and PlacesminorDelivers International Lifeguard Training Programme (ILTP) in New Zealand. ILTP has been benchmarked to NZ Certificate in Aquatics – Pool Lifeguard (Level 3), providing additional pathway for learners and employers.
- Swimming NZminorSchools can access Te Mahi Ako resources through partnerships with Swimming NZ and local aquatics facilities to qualify students as swim teachers.
- New Zealand Rivers AssociationminorJointly developed qualification system for Rafting qualifications with Te Mahi Ako. Rafting qualifications will transition to non-NZQA model administered by NZRA.
- New Zealand Snowsports Instructors Alliance (NZSIA)minorTe Mahi Ako worked with NZSIA to align Snowschool qualification with NZSIA curriculum.
- New Zealand Professional MTB AssociationminorJointly developed Outdoor Leadership Mountain Biking electives with Te Mahi Ako and NZ Outdoor Instructors' Association.
- New Zealand Outdoor Instructors' AssociationminorJointly developed Outdoor Leadership electives (Mountain Biking, Bushwalking, Abseiling/Rock Climbing, High Ropes) with Te Mahi Ako and NZ Professional MTB Association.
- RockQuest PromotionsminorPartnership for NZ Certificate in Entertainment and Event Operations learners.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Te Mahi Ako competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Competenz: One of New Zealand's largest private training establishments, delivering industry training across multiple sectors. Comparable as a fellow NZ PTE operating work-based learning with government funding, although Competenz serves different industries (engineering, manufacturing, printing) so the overlap is on delivery model rather than sector.
- AusActive: Australian peak industry body for the fitness and active recreation sector, performing industry advocacy, professional standards and workforce development functions comparable to Skills Active Aotearoa's relationship with Te Mahi Ako. Operates in the trans-Tasman market with parallel qualifications framework relevance but different delivery model.
Others
- Recreation Aotearoa: NZ national professional association for the recreation, sport and leisure sector. Adjacent to Te Mahi Ako as both serve the same employer and workforce base in active recreation, with Recreation Aotearoa acting as an industry body while Te Mahi Ako delivers the formal qualification layer.
- Toi Mai: NZ Workforce Development Council overseeing creative, cultural, recreation and sport sectors, including standard-setting for the same sector Te Mahi Ako serves. Treated as a regulatory/standards counterpart rather than direct competitor; Te Mahi Ako depends on Toi Mai for qualification currency and school consent-to-assess pathways.
Direct peers
- Lifetime Training: UK-based vocational training provider with a strong focus on active leisure, fitness and wellbeing qualifications, including apprenticeship pathways. Directly comparable business model: work-based qualifications for recreation, leisure and fitness workers supported by employer relationships and assessor networks.
- Active IQ: UK-based awarding organisation offering nationally recognised qualifications across the active leisure, fitness and wellbeing sectors. Highly comparable to Te Mahi Ako as both deliver vocational qualifications specifically designed for the active recreation workforce through employer-led and learner-led pathways.
- New Zealand Institute of Health and Fitness: NZ-based private training establishment offering exercise, fitness and health qualifications including personal training and group exercise credentials. Most direct NZ competitor to Te Mahi Ako's Exercise pillar, competing for similar learners, employers and government-funded enrolments.
- YMCA Training: Vocational training arm of YMCA in the UK delivering fitness, leisure and active recreation qualifications including apprenticeships and employer-sponsored programmes. Comparable to Te Mahi Ako on target learner (active recreation workforce) and delivery through workplace-based learning and assessor support.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Te Mahi Ako social profiles
Digital presenceTe Mahi Ako financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Te Mahi Ako leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Te Mahi Ako funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Te Mahi Ako M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Te Mahi Ako
What does Te Mahi Ako do?
Te Mahi Ako delivers work-based vocational training and NZQA qualifications across seven sector programmes (Aquatics, Entertainment and Events, Exercise, Mātauranga Māori, Outdoor Recreation, Snowsport, Sport and Community Recreation). Learners gain nationally recognised qualifications while remaining employed, with assessment conducted on-the-job using workplace evidence. Programmes are supported by an online learner portal, assessor network, regional advisors, and government-funded pathways.
Is Te Mahi Ako a public or private company?
Te Mahi Ako is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Te Mahi Ako founded?
Te Mahi Ako was founded in -1.
Where is Te Mahi Ako based?
Te Mahi Ako is headquartered in Wellington, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Te Mahi Ako make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Programme Fees are the primary driver. The others are government Funding - Fees Free Scheme, fast Start Scholarships and mana in Mahi Programme.
Who are Te Mahi Ako's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Competenz and AusActive. Others are Recreation Aotearoa and Toi Mai. Direct peers are Lifetime Training, Active IQ, New Zealand Institute of Health and Fitness and YMCA Training.
Does Te Mahi Ako have an API?
No public API is recorded for Te Mahi Ako.
What industry is Te Mahi Ako in?
Te Mahi Ako's product category is Vocational Education and Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAFAN, Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills). Its NAICS code is 6115 and its SIC code is 8200.