Study Māori Studies at Otago

Why study Māori Studies?

Māori Studies will provide you with an enhanced knowledge and understanding of the Māori language, Māori customary lore and the Māori world. This knowledge and understanding may be integrated with other studies or professional areas such as business, education, health, law, management, the media, public administration and social work.

Government ministries, businesses, social agencies and educational institutions in New Zealand recognise the need for employees with such knowledge and skills. Excellent employment prospects await graduates with knowledge of issues affecting Māori and other peoples in New Zealand.

The Māori Studies programme will equip students with a wide range of skills giving graduates:

• A high level of fluency in the Māori language
• An understanding of contemporary Māori issues combined with an understanding of, for example, history, cultural expression and environmental concerns
• An awareness of ethical issues in relation to Māori in the context of past and present practices, and society and culture
• Skills in intercultural communication
• Research skills
• Analytical thinking
• Communication skills
• Team work
• Independent judgement
• An ability to relate to people from a wide range of backgrounds

Māori Studies encourages you to explore the connectivity between different disciplines so as to enable indigenous communities to determine their own future.

Graduates develop a multidisciplinary, culturally inflected understanding of contemporary Māori concepts and issues, including the use of cooperation rather than competition, listening as well as communicating with others, and respecting differences. 

Career opportunities

Graduates with a degree in Māori Studies have a broad interdisciplinary knowledge base.

This can lead to careers in the fields of:

• Government ministries
• Policy and governance
• Teaching
• Arts advisors, museum curators
• Business
• Law
• Public health
• Community organisations

Māori Studies graduates are needed to help find ways to address the needs and interests of the Māori community and to help to promote and implement the goals of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Having more than one major in your degree, or a major plus a minor, will make you more marketable and attractive to prospective employers. A major in Māori Studies will be your point of difference in your chosen career.

Background required

No knowledge of the Māori language or culture is required for entry to Māori Studies. Students may be placed in more advanced Maāori language papers appropriate to their level of knowledge. There is also a University-approved process where prior non-credentialed learning is recognised for credit for some papers.

Qualifications

Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.

• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
• Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
• Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
• Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
• Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework))
• Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Key information for future students

• Domestic students
• International students

Contact us

Te Tumu, School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies
Email maori-studies@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/tetumu

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

Regulations on this page are taken from the 2023 Calendar and supplementary material.