Be an agent of change.
Indigenous Studies will broaden your understanding of the world as you explore humanity’s cultural diversity.
It will change your world view as you learn about indigenous cultures, histories and societies.
You will explore the dynamic living cultures of indigenous peoples and learn how indigenous knowledge systems can generate change that is sustainable, transformative and of benefit to everyone.
Why study Indigenous Studies?
Whether you want to learn about and promote the interests of indigenous people locally, or around the world, a major in Indigenous Studies will help you achieve this.
Through this programme you will learn the value of indigenous knowledge through the critical reading and research of selected indigenous societes and cultures in both historical and contemporary contexts. You will also examine how such knowledge may help support the varied interests and needs of contemporary indigenous people and communities as they engage with and manage the issues of living in the present world in order to sustain their peoples, cultures and communities into the future.
Indigenous knowledge has its place in every aspect of society. Wherever your interests lie, Indigenous Studies complements many fields of study and work, including:
- environmental sustainability
- resource management
- policy development
- education
- historical and cultural studies
- language revitalisation
- primary healthcare and preventative medicine
- economic wellbeing
- social and community development
- social research
Indigenous Studies encourages you to explore the connectivity between these disciplines and how their methodologies and intellectual genealogies can further enable indigenous communities to determine their own futures.
Graduates develop a multi-disciplinary, culturally inflected understanding of indigenous concepts and issues, including the use of co-operation rather than competition, and the importance of relationality and respecting differences.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Indigenous Studies as an undergraduate at Otago.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
A four-year degree focusing on advanced study and culminating in a research project in the final year
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
A two-semester programme of structured coursework, and in some cases supervised research, extending the knowledge and skills gained from the bachelor’s degree
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework))
A coursework degree with an optional research dissertation component, usually completed in 12 to 18 months of full-time study, or part-time over a longer period
Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))
A one- or two-year degree entailing a major research project, culminating in a thesis
Master of Indigenous Studies (MIndS)
A one-year full-time degree requiring advanced coursework and a research project, with distance and part-time study options.
Graduate qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
| Papers |
|---|
| Note: 400-level papers selected should be consistent with interdisciplinary choices at 300-level. Approved papers may be drawn from those offered by other Divisions. |
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Indigenous Studies is the same as the programme for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).
Note: 400-level papers selected should be consistent with interdisciplinary choices at 300-level. Approved papers may be drawn from those offered by other Divisions.| Dissertation / Studio Project Requirements |
|---|
| INDS 590 Research Dissertation |
| Two 500-level HUMS papers (worth 60 points) |
| At least one of: |
| INDS 401 Indigenous Identities, INDS 402 Taonga and Identity, or INDS 410 Special Topic |
| And further papers worth 30 points from: |
| ANTH 416, MAOR 401, MAOR 404, MAOR 407, MAOR 410, MAOR 413, MAOR 414 , MAOR 417, MAOR 427, MAOR 431, PACI 401, PACI 402, PACI 410 |
| INGS 501 may be substituted for one 400-level paper. |
| 400-level papers selected should be consistent with interdisciplinary choices at 300-level. |
| Approved papers may be drawn from those offered by other Divisions. |
| Papers-Only Requirements |
| INDS 401 Indigenous Identities or INDS 402 Taonga and Identity |
| Two 500-level HUMS papers (worth 60 points) |
| And a further 90 points from: |
| ANTH 416, INDS 401, INDS 402, INDS 410, MAOR 401, MAOR 404, MAOR 407 , MAOR 410, MAOR 413 , MAOR 414 , MAOR 417, MAOR 427, MAOR 431, PACI 401 , PACI 402, PACI 410 |
| INGS 501 may be substituted for one 400-level paper. |
| 400-level papers selected should be consistent with interdisciplinary choices at 300-level. |
| Approved papers may be drawn from those offered by other Divisions. |
| Note: Students are able to take one of HUMS 501-503 not already taken as an optional paper in this pathway. |
| Research Report option |
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| Thesis option |
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Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
INDS papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INDS210 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| INDS301 | 2026, 2027 | Indigenous Governance and Ethics | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| INDS302 | 2026, 2027 | Whakapapa and Marae | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 1 |
| INDS307 | 2026, 2027 | Ancient East Polynesian Histories | 18 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027 |
| INDS310 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic: Indigenous Archives | 18 points | Semester 2, Semester 1 |
| INDS401 | 2026, 2027 | Indigenous Identities | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| INDS402 | 2026, 2027 | Taonga and Identity | 30 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| INDS410 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 30 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| INDS501 | 2027 | Indigenous Identities | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| INDS590 | 2026, 2027 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | 1st Non standard period (27 February 2026 - 19 February 2027), 2nd Non standard period (17 July 2026 - 9 July 2027), 1st Non standard period (5 March 2027 - 25 February 2028), 2nd Non standard period (16 July 2027 - 7 July 2028) |
Contacts
Dr Paerau Warbrick
Programme Co-ordinator
Te Tumu, School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies
Tel +64 3 479 3973
Email paerau.warbrick@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/tetumu
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
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