Whatarangi Winiata ascertained that in 1975 there were only 100 speakers of the Māori language between Tītahi Bay and the Rangitīkei River.

He set out to change that and introduced immersive courses run by the Raukawa Marae Trustees called Whakatupuranga Rua Mano or Generation 2000.

[2] Te Wānanga o Raukawa was established in 1981 as a 'natural extension' of the Whakatupuranga Rua Mano programmes.

[3] Te Wānanga o Raukawa was the first tertiary institution with a 'basis in Maori learning' to be established in New Zealand.

[3] Early people and staff involved were Winiata, Jim MacGregor, Tūroa Royal, Māui Pōmare, Te Maharanui Jacob, Mason Durie, Ngarongo Iwikatea Nicholson, Piripi Walker, Whata Davis, Bernard Kernot, Kohe Webster (master carver), Taihakurei Edward Durie and Hiko Hohepa.