Pacific Islands Studies is offered as both a major and a minor for the Bachelor of Arts, and is a multi-disciplinary degree taught across several departments. Pacific Island Studies combines well with other papers from a wider range of subjects, including Māori Studies, Anthropology, Archaeology, Health, Religion, Music, Community and Family Studies, Education, Peace and Conflict, Law, Psychology, Sociology, Theology, Politics, Media, Film and Communication, Social and Community Work, Performing Arts, Language and Cultures, Geography and History.
The focus of the programme is within the Pacific countries themselves and presents Indigenous local, historical and contemporary perspectives. Some papers also look at Pacific Island communities living in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our aim is to provide the very best education on a range of topics relating to the islands within the Pacific/Oceania including social issues, dance, peace and conflict, mediation practices, substance abuse, alcoholism, suicide, crimes, conflict and crisis, migration, gender and body image, sports, culture and education, research theories, language and history, youth issues, climate change and political violence.
Papers in the course cover topics such as Pacific physical environment and climate change, Pacific pre-history, Pacific societies, Pacific people's issues, Pacific peace and conflict, Pacific leadership, Pacific Health, Pacific dance, Pacific Bodies, Pacific Archaeology, Pacific diaspora in New Zealand, Women in Polynesian communities, Pacific gender studies, Leadership in the Pacific, Pacific education and the Tongan language. These papers make up a unique programme with a multi-disciplinary orientation that examines historical and contemporary issues of importance to Pacific peoples, including New Zealanders. The courses cover the geographical area of Oceania specifically Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia. You can also do postgraduate papers in Pacific studies.
Find out more about the undergraduate offerings in Pacific Islands Studies
Pacific Islands Studies papers
