Māori Studies is an entry point for students wishing to engage with knowledge about the Māori world. It is a broad programme dedicated to the study of te reo Māori (Māori language), tikanga Māori (Māori customary lore) and aspects of te ao Māori (the Māori world).
Māori society is not static. Engaging in these three areas together enables you to enter this world and provides you with the foundations to analyse how this body of knowledge can be applied in today’s ever-changing world.
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.
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.
Recommended background
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.
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.
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.
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
1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2026), 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026)
More information
Contact our Schools' Liaison and International teams
Want to connect with a real person and get some advice? Find your Schools' Liaison officer, chat with our International team in New Zealand or your own country, or submit a question through our online form.
