Study Pastoral Studies at Otago

Ko mātai whakapono Kraitiana tātau ti Ōtākou. We are Theology at Otago. And we provide the only university-based theological programme in Aotearoa, NZ. Our unique offering sets the gold standard for theological education in this part of the world.

We are a diverse team of theologians, each committed to helping our students contribute to the good of the world. And the church. We welcome a diverse cohort of students, from school leavers to retirees. Our students are Māori, Pasifika, Pākehā, Asian and African.

We are not a stay-dusty institution, reluctant to try new approaches, open new doors, or take up new opportunities. Rather, there is an entrepreneurial spirit at play here. We take every opportunity to encourage students. To take theology as a worthy component of their degree. To help them draw on well-informed theological perspectives. To see them grow and flourish. Kia puāwai te tangata. And as a result, see them contribute to the good of Aotearoa, New Zealand society. And the church.

Simply put, we are committed to being an effective Christian witness in our contemporary world. And we see teaching and scholarship as ministry. To this end, we’ve developed a substantial and growing reach. We’ve 14 current degree and diploma programmes. And the comprehensive research faculty, catering for students across the country and throughout the Pacific.

We’ve also developed strong working partnerships outside of our immediate circle and increased interest and capacity in Māori theology and bicultural education. We are an accomplished academic programme. But we’re not a source of easy academic answers. No, we’re not.

We are here to help in-depth exploration of scripture and the real world. So we’re comfortable with complexities. We are ecumenical. We are missional. We are categorically God-centred.

Come, journey with us. Journey with us. Nau mai, haere mai. Come, journey with us.