Career opportunities
As a graduate majoring in Māori Health, you will have the knowledge and skills to address the determinants of health and their impacts, ensure organisations foster equity and positive outcomes for Māori, and be culturally and clinically responsive.
Pathways you can explore:
- Māori health practitioner or community health worker
- Health policy adviser or planner focused on Māori outcomes
- Māori health research assistant or coordinator
- Disability or social services worker with a Māori health focus
- Health promotion specialist working in Māori communities
How you will learn
Studying Māori Health at Otago means you’ll mix classroom learning with real-life contexts and community connections. You’ll engage in seminars, workshops and collaborative group work where you’ll talk openly about te ao Māori, equity and service design. You’ll work alongside Māori communities and health providers, applying what you learn in practical, culturally grounded ways.
The major will teach and empower you to apply and integrate indigenous knowledge and practices in your chosen health and social services-related career.
Recommended high school subjects for undergraduate study
There are no prior subject requirements, but an interest in health and community outcomes, along with an open mind ready to engage with Māori perspectives, is beneficial.
Choose a study option
Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Undergraduate qualifications
For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.
Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.
Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc)
A three-year degree with four areas of specialisation: Community Health Care, Māori Health, Pacific and Global Health, or Public Health
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr)
A three-year degree that equips you to change the world as you create new products, services and ideas
Ready to apply?
Take the first step towards your future in this subject.
Further study opportunities
Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
Through this major, I've been taught how to think, not what to think, and I attribute this to the teaching staff. They nurture your curiosity and foster an overwhelming passion for wanting to create change within the healthcare system, so it's equitable for everyone in Aotearoa.
Alisa Te Ao
Bachelor of Health Sciences (Māori Health)
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Study Māori Health in a place that lives its values
Māori Health at Otago focuses on making a real difference for Māori health outcomes. You’ll learn how to provide culturally responsive care when working with Māori individuals, whānau, communities, organisations and populations.
Our immersive learning environment empowers you to develop the tools to work effectively with Māori communities, apply te ao Māori values within Aotearoa New Zealand’s health system, and become an agent of change for Māori health and wellbeing.
As we face challenges such as an ageing population, more people living with long-term conditions and disability, limited health resources, and the health effects of environmental change, new approaches to health care are urgently needed.
Studying Māori Health at Otago prepares you to meet those challenges with knowledge, confidence and cultural integrity.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | MAOR 102 Māori Society | 18 |
| BITC 101 Bioethics in Aotearoa | 18 | |
| HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1 | 18 | |
| HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2 | 18 | |
| PUBH 192 Foundations of Epidemiology or POPH 192 Population Health | 18 | |
| MAOR 102 or BITC 101 may be taken during the second year of study | ||
| 200-level | CMHC 201 Human Health Across the Lifespan | 18 |
| MAOH 201 Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Individuals and Whānau | 18 | |
| PUBH 202 Health Promotion | 18 | |
| PUBH 204 Hauora Māori: Challenges and Opportunities | 18 | |
|
At least two of CMHC 211 Enabling Wellness and Ability I MAOR 202 Māori and Tikanga MAOR 204 Te Tiriti o Waitangi MAOR 211 Te Pihinga 1 PUBH 203 Health Policy and Politics SOWK 236 The Treaty and Social Services SPEX 206 Te Pū o te Ora Advanced Māori Physical Education and Health | 36 | |
| 300-level | MAOH 301 Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Organisations and Communities | 18 |
| PUBH 304 Rangahau Hauora Māori - Māori Health Research | 18 | |
|
At least two of CMHC 301 Applied Aspects of Human Health CMHC 311 Enabling Wellness and Ability II PUBH 303 Public and Global Health: Current Issues SOWK 304 Kaupapa Māori, and Indigenous Approaches to Social Work SPEX 306 Te Pou o te Koronga Advanced Māori Physical Education and Health | 36 | |
| Plus | 90 further points | 90 |
| The following papers are suggested: BSNS 111, EDUC 105, MANT 101, MAOR 112, MAOR 110, SOWK 111; BITC 201 , MAOR 212, PACH 201, PUBH 211, SOCI 205; INDS 301, INDS 302, MAOR 311 , MAOR 312, PACH 301 | ||
| Total | 360 |
A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.
Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.
You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | MAOR 102 Māori Society | 18 |
| 200-level | MAOH 201 Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Individuals and Whānau* PUBH 204 Hauora Māori: Challenges and Opportunities *Prerequisites for MAOH 201 also include HUBS 191, 192 and POPH 192 or PUBH 192 | 18 18 |
| 300-level | MAOH 301 Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Organisations and Communities PUBH 304 Rangahau Hauora Māori - Māori Health Research | 18 18 |
| Total | 90 |
Note: This minor subject is not available to students majoring in Community Health Care.
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
MAOH papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAOH201 | 2026 | Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Individuals and Whānau | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MAOH301 | 2026 | Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Organisations and Communities | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MAOH401 | 2026 | Hauora Māori Advanced Practice | 30 points | Semester 2 |
More information
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
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