This unique one-week intensive course taught on a marae in the Bay of Plenty explores Māori engagements with Christianity, the decisive role of Māori evangelists in spreading the gospel, the Māori prophetic movements, and the church’s involvement in the Treaty of Waitangi.
About this paper
| Paper title | Māori Theology and Religion (Advanced) |
|---|---|
| Subject | Christian Thought and History |
| EFTS | 0.1500 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026) (Distance learning) |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,103.10 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 18 200-level points
- Restriction
- CHTH 236
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Theology
- Notes
- May not be credited with CHTH 217 or CHTH 317 taught in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022.
- Eligibility
Any student can study Theology, whether they are of the Christian faith, another faith or of no religious faith at all. Theology is an exploration of what can be said about God and of the basis upon which we can say it. It requires an inquiring mind, respect for the views of others and an interest in the big questions of human existence.
Enrolments for this paper are limited and it requires departmental permission. View more information about limitations of enrolment.
- Contact
Professor Murray Rae: murray.rae@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
View more information on the Theology Programme’s website
- Teaching staff
Course Coordinator: Professor Murray Rae
Lecturers: Professor Murray Rae and guest presenters
- Paper Structure
This is a one-week intensive course held at the Ōhope Marae from Monday 29 June to Friday 3 July 2026 inclusive. There will be no additional costs to students for staying at the marae, but students will be expected to fund their own travel to and from the marae.
- Module One: Mātauranga Māori
- Module Two: The Missionary Era
- Module Three: Māori Prophets and Indigenous Churches
- Module Four: Woven Wisdom. Theological themes and trends
- Teaching Arrangements
Distance with in-person teaching components (compulsory).
The teaching programme for the paper is through a five-day residential intensive at Ōhope marae, near Whakatāne in the Bay of Plenty. Students will be accommodated in the wharenui and classes will be held in the wharekai (dining room) with reflection sessions also taking place in the wharenui. Wifi is also available at the marae. There will be no additional costs to students for staying at the marae, but students will be expected to fund their own travel to the marae.
- Textbooks
Textbooks are not required for this paper. Readings will be available online.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Information literacy, Environmental literacy, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.- Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will:
- Show familiarity with traditional Māori religious thought and practice.
- Understand the historical threads of engagement between Māori and Christian missionaries and develop the capacity to critically analyse the impact and consequences of that engagement.
- Be able to offer an informed account of selected Māori adaptations of Christianity, particularly those associated with the Māori prophets.
- Develop understanding of the distinct insight and enrichment of Christian theology brought about through the influence of mātuaranga and kaupapa Māori.
- Develop the capacity to recognise and articulate the ways in which engagement with Māori theology and religion facilitates a constructive critique of the Western theological tradition.
- Assessment details
- Short Essay (30%)
- Major Research Essay (50%)
- Journal (20%)
This unique one-week intensive course taught on a marae in the Bay of Plenty explores Māori engagements with Christianity, the decisive role of Māori evangelists in spreading the gospel, the Māori prophetic movements and the church’s involvement in the Treaty of Waitangi.
About this paper
| Paper title | Māori Theology and Religion (Advanced) |
|---|---|
| Subject | Christian Thought and History |
| EFTS | 0.1500 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | 2nd Non standard period (5 July 2027 - 13 November 2027) (Distance learning) |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 18 200-level points
- Restriction
- CHTH 236
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Theology
- Notes
- May not be credited with CHTH 217 or CHTH 317 taught in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022.
- Eligibility
Any student can study Theology, whether they are of the Christian faith, another faith or of no religious faith at all. Theology is an exploration of what can be said about God and of the basis upon which we can say it. It requires an inquiring mind, respect for the views of others and an interest in the big questions of human existence.
Enrolments for this paper are limited and it requires departmental permission. View more information about limitations of enrolment.
- Contact
- More information link
View more information on the Theology Programme’s website.
- Teaching staff
- Paper Structure
This is a one-week intensive course held at the Ōhope Marae. There will be no additional costs to students for staying at the marae, but students will be expected to fund their own travel to and from the marae.
- Module One: Mātauranga Māori
- Module Two: The Missionary Era
- Module Three: Māori Prophets and Indigenous Churches
- Module Four: Woven Wisdom. Theological themes and trends
- Teaching Arrangements
Distance with in-person teaching components (compulsory).
The teaching programme for the paper is through a five-day residential intensive at Ōhope marae, near Whakatāne in the Bay of Plenty. Students will be accommodated in the wharenui and classes will be held on site with reflection sessions also taking place in the wharenui. Wifi is also available at the marae. There will be no additional costs to students for staying at the marae, but students will be expected to fund their own travel to the marae.
- Textbooks
Textbooks are not required for this paper. Readings will be available online.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Environmental literacy, Information literacy.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will:
- Show familiarity with traditional Māori religious thought and practice.
- Understand the historical threads of engagement between Māori and Christian missionaries and develop the capacity to critically analyse the impact and consequences of that engagement.
- Be able to offer an informed account of selected Māori adaptations of Christianity, particularly those associated with the Māori prophets.
- Develop understanding of the distinct insight and enrichment of Christian theology brought about through the influence of mātuaranga and kaupapa Māori.
- Develop the capacity to recognise and articulate the ways in which engagement with Māori theology and religion facilitates a constructive critique of the Western theological tradition.
- Assessment details
- Short Essay (30%)
- Major Research Essay (50%)
- Journal (20%)