Career opportunities
As a graduate majoring in Māori Health, you may take up roles within the Māori health, public health, healthcare, disability and social services sectors that work directly with communities and their organisations.
You will have the knowledge and skills to address the determinants of health and their impacts, ensure organisations foster equity and positive outcomes for Māori, and be culturally and clinically responsive.
You will develop a positive attitude to make a difference for Māori health across diverse roles and support the growth of the Māori health and disability workforce.
Student profile – Alisa Te Ao
Studying Māori Health has made Alisa Te Ao aware that meaningful change can take place at all levels of the healthcare system.
“I had always put dentistry and medicine on a pedestal and was sure they were the only pathways I could take to influence change for Māori and Pacific people. However, after some research, I found the Māori Health major and my outlook completely changed.
“Through this major, I've been taught how to think, not what to think, and I attribute this to the teaching staff. They nurture your curiosity and foster an overwhelming passion for wanting to create change within the healthcare system, so it's equitable for everyone in Aotearoa.
“Meaningful change can be made through all positions in all sectors of the healthcare system and I would love to work on a community level with those who are in need.
“For the first time in my life, my culture has not been treated as a hindrance to my learning but an asset. I used to view failing HSFY (Health Sciences First Year) as my greatest failure but now, after studying Māori Health, I've realised it was one of the best things to have happened to me.”
Understanding Māori health for the benefit of our communities
Māori Health focuses on making a difference for Māori health outcomes. You will learn about providing culturally responsive health practice when working with Māori individuals, whānau, communities, organisations and populations.
Our immersive learning environment empowers our students to impact on health care for Māori by:
- Developing tools to work with Māori individuals, whānau, and communities
- Applying te ao Māori values within the New Zealand health system
- Becoming an agent of change for hauora Māori
Specifically, you will learn:
- Historical, social, and cultural contexts to Māori health and strategies for understanding and addressing health inequities and key health issues, including Māori health research
- How to apply and integrate indigenous knowledge and practices in your chosen health and social services-related career
- Life course stages and health promotion, and how to grow your health knowledge base
- How to work within Māori communities in a way that reflects te ao Māori and integrates your learning into positive or strengths-based health practice
Make a difference in a rewarding career
New approaches to health care are required as we face important health challenges.
These include:
- An increase in the number of older adults and people living with multiple long-term conditions and disability
- Limited health resources
- Environmental change and its effects on health
With these challenges comes an increasing need to develop new healthcare approaches.
Māori Health is available as a major subject for the Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc) and as an endorsement for the Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health (PGCertPH).
These career-focused qualifications address the skills required to work with patients, populations, and communities to promote health and ensure patients are accessing and receiving the most appropriate care.
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.
Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.
Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc)
A three-year degree with four areas of specialisation: Community Health Care, Māori Health, Pacific and Global Health, or Public Health
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr)
A three-year degree that equips you to change the world as you create new products, services and ideas
Ready to apply?
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.
Related subject areas
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Health and biomedical sciences
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Māori, Pacific and indigenous studies
Explore Māori, Pacific, and indigenous languages, heritage, and values to contribute positively to these communities
Sport and wellbeing
Study exercise science and nutrition to enhance physical and mental well-being and improve community health outcomes
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject as a major and minor (where available).
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | MAOR 102 Māori Society | 18 |
| HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1 | 18 | |
| HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2 | 18 | |
| PUBH 192 Foundations of Epidemiology or POPH 192 Population Health | 18 | |
| MAOR 102 can be taken during the second year of study | ||
| 200-level | CMHC 201 Human Health Across the Lifespan | 18 |
| MAOH 201 Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Individuals and Whānau | 18 | |
| PUBH 202 Health Promotion | 18 | |
| PUBH 204 Hauora Māori: Challenges and Opportunities | 18 | |
|
At least two of CMHC 211 Enabling Wellness and Ability I MAOR 202 Māori and Tikanga MAOR 204 Te Tiriti o Waitangi MAOR 211 Te Pihinga 1 PUBH 203 Health Policy and Politics SOWK 236 The Treaty and Social Services SPEX 206 Te Pū o te Ora Advanced Māori Physical Education and Health | 36 | |
| 300-level | MAOH 301 Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Organisations and Communities | 18 |
| PUBH 304 Rangahau Hauora Māori - Māori Health Research | 18 | |
|
At least two of CMHC 301 Applied Aspects of Human Health CMHC 311 Enabling Wellness and Ability II PUBH 303 Public and Global Health: Current Issues SOWK 304 Kaupapa Māori, and Indigenous Approaches to Social Work SPEX 306 Te Pou o te Koronga Advanced Māori Physical Education and Health | 36 | |
| Plus | 108 further points | 108 |
| The following papers are suggested: BSNS 111, EDUC 105, MANT 101, MAOR 112, MAOR 110, SOWK 111; BITC 201 , MAOR 212, PACH 201, PUBH 211, SOCI 205; INDS 301, INDS 302, MAOR 311 , MAOR 312, PACH 301 | ||
| 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 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 | MAOR 102 Māori Society | 18 |
| 200-level | MAOH 201 Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Individuals and Whānau* PUBH 204 Hauora Māori: Challenges and Opportunities *Prerequisites for MAOH 201 also include HUBS 191, 192 and POPH 192 or PUBH 192 | 18 18 |
| 300-level | MAOH 301 Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Organisations and Communities PUBH 304 Rangahau Hauora Māori - Māori Health Research | 18 18 |
| Total | 90 |
Note: This minor subject is not available to students majoring in Community Health Care.
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
MAOH papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAOH201 | 2025 | Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Individuals and Whānau | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MAOH301 | 2025 | Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Organisations and Communities | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MAOH401 | 2025 | Hauora Māori Advanced Practice | 30 points | Semester 2 |
More information
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