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    Learn from Indigenous voices, perspectives, and stories that challenge, inspire, and reimagine what it means to live in a sustainable and transformative world.

    Why study Indigenous Studies?

    Indigenous Studies explores the cultures, histories, and knowledge systems of Indigenous peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world.

    Examine how Indigenous communities have shaped, and continue to shape conversations about identity, sovereignty, environment, and social justice. The subject brings together perspectives from history, politics, anthropology, and the arts to help you understand the complex realities of colonisation, resilience, and renewal.

    Studying Indigenous Studies helps you see the world through multiple lenses and understand how knowledge, language, and culture connect people to place. You’ll develop skills in analysis, communication, and cultural understanding that are valuable in any career focused on people, community, or change.

    Career opportunities

    Studying Indigenous Studies builds cultural awareness, analytical thinking, and the ability to work across diverse communities – skills that employers value in every field.

    Graduates find opportunities in areas such as:

    • Government and policy development
    • Education and community outreach
    • Environmental and resource management
    • Media, communications, and cultural advocacy
    • International development and human rights

    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

    You’ll learn through conversation, collaboration, and connection, both inside and outside the classroom.

    Courses blend interactive lectures with small-group discussions, guest speakers, and community engagement. You’ll have the opportunity to explore Indigenous issues through films, literature, and case studies, and may have opportunities to work on projects that link learning to real-world challenges.

    At Otago, we are passionate about creating space for critical thinking, respectful dialogue, and Indigenous-led knowledge.

    Recommended high school subjects for undergraduate study

    An interest in culture, history, language, or social issues is a great foundation for Indigenous Studies. Curiosity, empathy, and open-mindedness are key.

    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.

    Learn from the land, the people, and the stories that shape us

    You’ll be part of a vibrant arts and social sciences community with strong links to local iwi (tribes), cultural organisations, and research centres focused on Indigenous and Pacific scholarship.

    Our teaching staff are active researchers and community leaders who bring both lived experience and deep expertise to their teaching. At Otago, you’ll learn in a university that values te ao Māori and Indigenous voices and prepares you to make a meaningful difference in a changing world.

    Programme details

    Compare programmes for this subject.

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-level MAOR 102 Māori Society 18
    MAOR 110 Introduction to Conversational Māori, or another language paper as approved by the Dean of the School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies 18
    PACI 101 Pacific Societies 18
    200-level MAOR 202 Māori and Tikanga 18
    PACI 201 Contemporary Pacific Island Issues 18
    Two of ANTH 204, ANTH 205, ANTH 206, ANTH 208, GEOG 278, HIST 223, HIST 246 , INDS 210, MAOR 203, MAOR 204, MAOR 207, MAOR 208, MAOR 210, MAOR 211 , MAOR 212, MAOR 213, MFCO 212, PACI 202, PACI 210, POLS 202, POLS 237 , PUBH 203, SPEX 206 36
    300-level INDS 301 Māori and Indigenous Development: Governance and Ethics or INDS 302 Whakapapa and Marae 18
    Three of ANTH 324, ECON 303, ENGL 339, GEOG 378, HIST 327, HIST 347, INDS 307 , INDS 310, MANT 340, MAOR 303, MAOR 304, MAOR 307, MAOR 308, MAOR 310 , MAOR 311, MAOR 312, MAOR 313, MAOR 316, MART 305, MFCO 318, PACI 301 , PACI 305, PACI 310, POLS 337, SPEX 306, TOUR 301, TOUR 306 54
    Notes:
    (i)  300-level papers selected should be consistent with interdisciplinary choices at 200-level. Approved papers may be drawn from those offered by other Divisions.
    (ii)  INDS 301 and INDS 302 are not available in 2026. 
    Students will be permitted to select an alternative paper to meet their major subject requirements.  Students must contact the Programme Coordinator to discuss an appropriate alternative paper and to have this formally approved.    		 
    Plus 162 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. 162
    Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts (See Note below).  
    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

    PapersPoints

    Five papers:

    MAOR 102 Māori Society
    MAOR 202 Māori and Tikanga

    Three of ANTH 204, ANTH 205, ANTH 206, ANTH 208, GEOG 278, HIST 206, HIST 223 , HIST 246, INDS 210, INDS 301, INDS 302, INDS 307, INDS 310, MAOR 110 , MAOR 203, MAOR 204, MAOR 207, MAOR 208, MAOR 210, MAOR 211 or MAOR 212, MAOR 213, MFCO 212, PACI 101, PACI 103, PACI 201, PACI 210 , POLS 202, POLS 237 or POLS 337, PUBH 203, including at least one of INDS 301, INDS 302, INDS 307 , INDS 310.


    18
    18

    54

    Papers

    View a list of all related papers below.

    INDS papers

    Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
    INDS210 2026 Special Topic 18 points Semester 1
    INDS301 2026 Indigenous Governance and Ethics 18 points Not offered in 2026
    INDS302 2026 Whakapapa and Marae 18 points Not offered in 2026
    INDS307 2026 Ancient East Polynesian Histories 18 points Semester 1
    INDS310 2026 Special Topic: Indigenous Archives 18 points Semester 2
    INDS401 2026 Indigenous Identities 30 points Semester 2
    INDS402 2026 Taonga and Identity 30 points Not offered in 2026
    INDS410 2026 Special Topic 30 points Not offered in 2026
    INDS590 2026 Research Dissertation 60 points 1st Non standard period (27 February 2026 - 19 February 2027), 2nd Non standard period (17 July 2026 - 9 July 2027)

    More information

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

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