Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon
Skip to main content

    Māori Studies invites you to engage in a world that offers ways of seeing, understanding, and shaping the future through values that connect and enrich us all.

    Why study Māori Studies?

    If you’re curious about how language, culture and identity shape Aotearoa, then Māori Studies is for you. At Otago you’ll engage with te reo Māori (the Māori language), tikanga Māori (customary practice) and te ao Māori (the Māori world) in real and relevant ways. You’ll explore contemporary issues, including Māori health, education, environment and the interplay of culture and society. You’ll build skills in critical thinking, communication and cultural fluency, skills that matter whether you’re working with communities, across sectors, or forging your own path. At Otago you’ll be part of a dynamic learning community where Indigenous knowledge is front and centre.

    Career opportunities

    From the moment you join Māori Studies you’ll be building skills that open doors across many sectors.

    Here are some pathways your study could lead to:

    • Policy adviser or cultural consultant in public service
    • Education (including Māori medium or bilingual settings)
    • Health and social services with a kaupapa Māori focus
    • Media, communications or heritage work, centred on Māori language and culture
    • Business or management roles that value cultural understanding and partnership

    Embrace culture, lead change

    Discover Te Tumu – School of Māori, Pacific, and Indigenous Studies at Otago, where you’ll be immersed in language, history, and contemporary issues while fostering leadership, community, and a global perspective.

    How you will learn

    When you study Māori Studies at Otago you’ll do more than just sit in lectures – you will get to engage. You’ll learn the language in action. for example in the paper Introduction to Conversational Māori you’ll speak, write and listen in te reo Māori. You’ll explore tikanga and worldviews through papers like Māori and Tikanga. You’ll think both locally and globally, connect with communities and build your own path through a major that fits your interests. At Otago our classes are friendly, interactive and grounded in real life. You’ll collaborate with staff and peers who are excited about culture, change and connection.

    Recommended high school subjects for undergraduate study

    You’ll get the most out of Māori Studies if you enjoy language and culture, are curious about how societies work, and like to explore different perspectives and stories.

    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.

    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.

    Where Indigenous knowledge meets contemporary change

    At Otago we combine the richness of Māori knowledge with the strength of a globally-ranked university environment. Our dedicated School, Te Tumu – School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies, is recognised for research and teaching in Indigenous languages, cultures and societies. And because Māori Studies is multi-disciplinary, you’ll have freedom to combine your major with other subjects and tailor your path.

    Programme details

    Compare programmes for this subject.

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-level MAOR 102 Māori Society 18
    MAOR 111 Te Kākano 1 18
    MAOR 112 Te Kākano 2 18
    200-level MAOR 211 Te Pihinga 1 18
    MAOR 212 Te Pihinga 2 18
    One further 200-level MAOR paper or PACI 201 18
    300-level MAOR 311 Te Māhuri 1 18
    MAOR 312 Te Māhuri 2 18
    One additional 300-level MAOR paper 18
    One further paper from 300-level MAOR or INDS papers or PACI 301 18
    Plus 180 further points; must include at least 54 points at 200-level or above. 180
    Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts  
    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 Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-level Two 100-level MAOR papers

    36

    200-level One 200-level MAOR paper, and one further INDS, MAOR or PACI paper at 200-level or above

    36

    300-level One 300-level MAOR paper 18
    Total 90

    Papers

    View a list of all related papers below.

    MAOR papers

    Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
    MAOR102 2026, 2027 Māori Society 18 points Semester 1, Semester 2
    MAOR108 2026, 2027 Waiata: Te Tīmatanga 18 points Semester 1
    MAOR110 2026, 2027 Introduction to Conversational Māori 18 points Summer School, Semester 1, Semester 2
    MAOR111 2026, 2027 Te Kākano 1 18 points Semester 1
    MAOR112 2026, 2027 Te Kākano 2 18 points Semester 2
    MAOR120 2026, 2027 Introducing the Māori World 18 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MAOR202 2026, 2027 Māori and Tikanga 18 points Semester 1
    MAOR203 2026, 2027 Ngāi Tahu Society 18 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MAOR204 2026, 2027 Te Tiriti o Waitangi 18 points Semester 1, Semester 2
    MAOR206 2026, 2027 Ngā Pūkenga Tuhi 18 points Not offered in 2026, Semester 2
    MAOR207 2026, 2027 Ngā Kōrero Nehe - Tribal Histories 18 points Not offered in 2026, Semester 1
    MAOR208 2026, 2027 Ngā Manu Taki 18 points Not offered in 2026, Semester 2
    MAOR210 2026, 2027 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MAOR211 2026, 2027 Te Pihinga 1 18 points Semester 1
    MAOR212 2026, 2027 Te Pihinga 2 18 points Semester 2
    MAOR213 2026, 2027 Te Mana o Te Reo 18 points Not offered in 2026, Semester 2
    MAOR301 2026, 2027 He Whakarākai 18 points Semester 2, Not offered in 2027
    MAOR303 2026, 2027 Ngāi Tahu and the Natural World 18 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MAOR304 2026, 2027 Te Rōpū Whakamana i Te Tiriti - Waitangi Tribunal 18 points Semester 2, Not offered in 2027
    MAOR306 2026, 2027 Ngā Pūkenga Tuhi 18 points Not offered in 2026, Semester 2
    MAOR307 2026, 2027 Te Tūtakitanga o Ngā Ao e Rua 18 points Not offered in 2026, Semester 2
    MAOR308 2026, 2027 Ngā Hākinakina a Te Māori 18 points Semester 2, Not offered in 2027
    MAOR310 2026, 2027 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MAOR311 2026, 2027 Te Māhuri 1 18 points Semester 1
    MAOR312 2026, 2027 Te Māhuri 2 18 points Semester 2
    MAOR313 2026, 2027 Te Hiringa Taketake 18 points Semester 1, Not offered in 2027
    MAOR316 2026, 2027 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MAOR327 2026, 2027 Ngā Pakanga Nunui: New Zealand Wars 18 points Semester 2, Not offered in 2027
    MAOR401 2026, 2027 He Whakarākai (Whakatīeke) 30 points Semester 2, Not offered in 2027
    MAOR404 2026, 2027 Toitū te Whenua - Land, Lore and Colonialism 30 points Not offered in 2026, Semester 2
    MAOR407 2026, 2027 Presenting Pacific Histories 30 points Semester 2
    MAOR410 2026, 2027 Special Topic 20 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MAOR413 2026, 2027 Te Tātari i Te Kaupapa - Māori and Indigenous Education 30 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MAOR414 2026, 2027 He Pūkōrero - Theory and Research Methodologies 30 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MAOR417 2026, 2027 Special Topic 30 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MAOR427 2026, 2027 He Tuhituhinga 30 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MAOR431 2026, 2027 Te Kōhure 30 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MAOR490 2026, 2027 He Raukura 60 points Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 11 July 2027), 1st Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 9 June 2028)
    MAOR504 2027 Toitū te Whenua - Land, Lore and Colonialism 30 points Semester 2
    MAOR507 2027 Presenting Pacific Histories 30 points Semester 2
    MAOR590 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

    More information

    Have a question or need support? AskOtago can connect you with the right team for personalised help.

    This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.

    Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.

    Not sure what to study?

    Take our short quiz to uncover study options matched to your background and interests.

    Take the quiz
    Undergraduate student
    Back to top