By studying Pacific and Global Health, you will grow a strong understanding of how global health issues impact on developed and developing countries.
With a particular focus on Pacific peoples, you will learn more about our diverse cultures and concepts of well-being, how our health has been impacted by historical and contemporary challenges, and learn and design positive solutions to improve the health and well-being of Pacific peoples.
Ready to enrol?
Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc), Dunedin, 2025
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Dunedin, 2025
As a graduate majoring in Pacific and Global Health, you will have a strong holistic and global perspective of health and well-being, with the skills and knowledge necessary to serve the needs of Pacific people and communities in New Zealand and across the Pacific region.
In a time of globalisation, changing societies, and climate change, you will have the knowledge and skills to support Pacific and mainstream solutions to improving health.
Student profile – Rhonda Matagi Tomasi
Rhonda chose to study for a Bachelor of Health Sciences after completing Health Sciences First Year (HSFY).
“I chose Pacific and Global Health as my major because of my Pacific background. Several members of my family, as well as people in my community, have faced health problems and I thought this qualification would help me understand why these issues exist.
“I've really enjoyed being part of the conversations we have in lectures or tutorials about why such health statistics exist and how we can use our skills to meet the needs of the communities we work with.”
Rhonda especially enjoyed the paper focusing on Pacific Health.
“What I learnt in the paper really answered the questions I had about the health status of Pacific people. It complimented what I was studying in other Public Health papers and gave me a different approach to go about bettering the health outcomes of Pacific people and other high-need communities.
“I think that wherever I end up working in the healthcare field, this degree will equip me with a broader understanding of the provision of healthcare services, as well as helping me better interact with the people I work with. I hope to complete a medical degree and this qualification will add so much more to my future career.”
Pacific and Global Health at Otago
Learn in an immersive environment
“I've really enjoyed being part of the conversations we have in lectures or tutorials about why such health statistics exist and how we can use our skills to meet the needs of the communities we work with.”
— Rhonda Matagi Tomasi BHealSc Student
Meet and learn first-hand from community and global health leaders
Learn by participating in various Pacific cultural practices
Gain an understanding of holistic approaches to health and well-being
Gain global strategies and perspectives on health and well-being, and use these to serve Pacific families and communities
Celebrate and encourage diversity and inclusion in the learning environment
Specifically, you will learn:
How to effectively engage with Pacific peoples and our communities to develop and create positive solutions within the context of health care and its provision at a population level
Historical, social, and cultural contexts to Pacific peoples and our health, as well as strategies for developing solutions that have a positive impact on the health and well-being of Pacific peoples
How to apply Pacific belief systems, values, principles, and ethical approaches related to health
How health challenges are approached in a global context in a variety of developed and developing countries
How to develop meaningful and impactful solutions for addressing global health challenges that affect communities in developing countries
Build skills to make a difference
As our world becomes more global and interconnected, new challenges are impacting the health and well-being of our communities.
These challenges include:
Populations and people living for longer, and often living with multiple long-term conditions and disabilities
Limited health resources
Changing physical environments and their effects on health
With these challenges comes an increasing need to develop innovative solutions and approaches to health care.
The Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc) majoring in Pacific and Global Health is a three-year degree for those who want to be an integral part of these new approaches.
This career-focused qualification focuses on the skills required to work with patients, populations, and communities to promote health and ensure patients are accessing and receiving the most appropriate care.
MAOH 201 Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Individuals and Whānau
18
At least two of BITC 201 Bioethics and the Life Sciences CMHC 211 Enabling Wellness and Ability I HIST 206 An Introduction to Pacific History PACI 201
Contemporary Pacific Island Issues POLS 213 New Zealand Foreign Policy PUBH 202 Health Promotion
At least two of ANTH 323 Anthropology of Health BITC 301 Bioethics: Healthcare Issues and Global Perspectives CMHC 311 Enabling Wellness and Ability II MAOH 301
Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Organistions and Communities PUBH 311 Public Health Research
Pacific and Global Health as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BCom, BEntr, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree
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 Sciences (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
Level
Papers
Points
100-level
POPH 192 Population Health or PUBH 192 Foundations of Epidemiology
18
200-level
PACH 201 Pacific Health: New Zealand and the Pacific Region
Rhonda chose to study for a Bachelor of Health Sciences after completing Health Sciences First Year (HSFY).