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Study Pacific Islands Studies at Otago

    Rediscover the Pacific.

    New Zealand is the world’s largest Polynesian country, and the number of institutions and businesses needing employees with knowledge of Pacific cultures and societies is growing rapidly.

    Excellent employment prospects await graduates who have knowledge of issues affecting Pacific peoples and skills in intercultural communication in the Pacific context.

    Why study Pacific Islands Studies?

    Pacific Islands Studies is a unique, multidisciplinary programme that examines contemporary issues of importance to Pacific peoples, including New Zealanders, within their broad cultural context.

    The course covers the geographical area contained within the Polynesian Triangle defined by Hawai'i, Rapa Nui, and Aotearoa as well as the islands of Melanesia and Micronesia. The focus of the programme affirms New Zealand's location within the Pacific and its acknowledged political, intellectual and diplomatic links in the area.

    “Growing up in Samoa I took my culture for granted, but my studies made me realize how much I still had to learn about Pacific people and their past. Culture is not a static entity, and our future depends on understanding those around us.” (Malia Lameta, MA graduate, Pacific Islands Studies)

    Whether you want to promote the interests of Pacific Island peoples locally or around the world, a major in Pacific Islands Studies will help you achieve this.

    In this programme of study you will learn the value of indigenous knowledge, and how it can be preserved, transferred and adapted to suit the needs of modern indigenous communities.

    These communities exist in a constantly changing environment. Being able to track the effect of these changes provides insights into how to formulate better, relevant and more inclusive policies and plans for future development.

    Knowledge of Pacific Island cultures has its place in every aspect of society. No matter your interest, Pacific Islands Studies complements many courses of study:

    • climate change
    • environmental sustainability
    • resource management
    • agriculture
    • policy development
    • education
    • language revitalisation
    • primary health care and preventative medicine
    • economic wellbeing and independence
    • community development
    • religion/church

    Career opportunities

    Our students are equipped with an understanding of Pacific Islands and indigenous cultural philosophies that are relevant in a myriad of employment situations.

    A background in Pacific Islands Studies creates opportunities for international careers, not only in the Pacific, but also with Pacific peoples in the Americas, Asia and Australia. Knowledge gained in the course is applicable to issues affecting indigenous peoples anywhere in the world.

    Graduates with a background of study in Pacific Islands Studies bring to employers a wide range of skills. The multidisciplinary focus of the course provides a wide perspective giving graduates:

    • An understanding of contemporary Pacific people's issues combined with an understanding of, for example, history, archaeology, cultural expression and environmental concerns.
    • An awareness of ethical issues in relation to Pacific Islanders in the context of past and present colonial practices, gender relations and society and culture.
    • Skills in intercultural communication in the Pacific context.

    Pacific Islands Studies at Otago

    Pacific Islands Studies combines well with other papers from a wide range of subjects, including Anthropology, Sociology, Politics, Indigenous Studies, Geography, Planning, Management, and History. We help you to interpret these different disciplines from a Pacific Islands point of view.

    The major comprises 9 papers from within Pacific Islands Studies, plus an additional 11 papers either from within Pacific Islands Studies and/or from other subjects. You can choose from a broad range of papers on Māori, Pacific and other indigenous societies, and from a range of departments to suit your areas of interest.

    Pacific Islands Studies can be studied as a major or a minor subject within the three- year Bachelor of Arts degree. Further study in this area is available at a postgraduate level (masters, PhD). There is also an option to undertake a jointly supervised postgraduate degree with other University departments.

    Throughout your degree you will be challenged to analyse and critique the world in which we live and to design and conduct research that will encourage open-minded solutions.

    Areas of learning

    A particular strength of this subject area is its cross-disciplinary nature, readily combining indigenous knowledge with a range of other disciplines. Papers in the programme cover topics such as Pacific people's issues, Pacific education, Pacific leadership, Pacific prehistory, Pacific history, Pacific religion and church history, Pacific art history, intercultural film and media studies as well as Māori culture and history.

    You are required to do core papers in Pacific Islands Studies in combination with papers offered in participating departments that have a particular indigenous focus. These departments/subject areas include:

    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Geography
    • History
    • Indigenous Development
    • Māori Studies
    • Media, Film and Communication
    • Music
    • Politics
    • Social Work
    • Theology
    • Religion

    Because of the multidisciplinary nature of this major, you can tailor your own programme of study by choosing papers that suit your interests and career needs.

    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.

    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.

    Programme details

    Compare programmes for this subject as a major and minor (where available).

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-level PACI 101 Pacific Societies 18
    One of:
    ANTH 103 Introduction to Anthropology
    ANTH 105 Global and Local Cultures
    HIST 107 New Zealand in the World from the 18th Century
    MAOR 102 Māori Society
    MFCO 102 Media, Power, Society
    PACI 102 Pacific Dance: An Introduction
    PACI 103 Languages and Cultures of the Pacific: An Introduction     		18
    200-level PACI 201 Contemporary Pacific Island Issues 18
    ANTH 204 Pacific and New Zealand Archaeology 18
    One of:
    ANTH 205 Anthropology and the Contemporary Pacific
    ANTH 206 Anthropology of Globalisation
    GEOG 278 Geographies of the South Pacific
    HIST 206 An Introduction to Pacific History
    MAOR 207 Ngā Kōrero Nehe - Tribal Histories
    MFCO 212 Media and Intercultural Communication
    MUSI 268 Performance in Asia and the Pacific
    PACI 210 Special Topic: Pacific Education     		18
    or approved Special Topic papers relevant to the Pacific Islands in ANTH, CHTH, GEOG, HIST, MAOR
    300-level PACI 301 Gafa o Tagata Pasifika - Pacific Diaspora in New Zealand 18
    Three of:
    ANTH 327 Anthropology of Money
    GEOG 378 Geographies of the South Pacific
    HIST 337 Environmental History of the Pacific
    INDS 307 Ancient East Polynesian Histories
    MAOR 307 Te Tūtakitanga o Ngā Ao e Rua
    MFCO 318 Indigenous Media
    MUSI 368 Performance in Asia and the Pacific
    PACI 305 Peace and Conflict in the Pacific
    PACI 310 Special Topic: Pacific People, Climate Change and Power
    SOWK 303 Communities and Organisations - Analysis and Theory
    SOWK 304 Kaupapa Māori, and Indigenous Approaches to Social Work
    THEA 322 Theatre of Australasia     		54
    or approved Special Topic papers relevant to the Pacific Islands in ANTH, CHTH, GEOG, HIST, MAOR 
    Plus 198 further points; must include 54 further points at 200-level or above. 198
    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

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-level

    PACI 101 Pacific Societies

    One of ANTH 103, ANTH 105,  HIST 107, MAOR 102, MFCO 102, PACI 102, PACI 103

    18

    18

    200-level

    PACI 201 Contemporary Pacific Island Issues

    One of ANTH 204, ANTH 205, GEOG 278, HIST 206, MAOR 207, MFCO 212, MUSI 268, PACI 210,
    or approved Special Topic papers relevant to the Pacific Islands in ANTH, CHTH, GEOG, HIST, MAOR

    		36
    300-level

    One of ANTH 316, GEOG 378, HIST 337, INDS 307, MAOR 307, MFCO 318, MUSI 368, PACI 301, PACI 305, PACI 310, POLS 320, SOWK 303, SOWK 304, THEA 322,
    or an approved Special Topic paper relevant to the Pacific Islands in ANTH, CHTH, GEOG, HIST, MAOR

    		18
    Total 90

    Papers

    View a list of all related papers below.

    PACI papers

    Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
    PACI101 2025 Pacific Societies 18 points Semester 2
    PACI102 2025 Pacific Dance: An Introduction 18 points Not offered in 2025
    PACI103 2025 Languages and Cultures of the Pacific: An Introduction 18 points Not offered in 2025
    PACI201 2025 Contemporary Pacific Island Issues 18 points Semester 1
    PACI210 2025 Special Topic 18 points Semester 2
    PACI301 2025 Gafa o Tagata Pasifika - Pacific Diaspora in New Zealand 18 points Semester 2
    PACI305 2025 Peace and Conflict in the Pacific 18 points Not offered in 2025
    PACI310 2025 Special Topic 18 points Semester 1
    PACI401 2025 Tinā Pasifika - Women in Polynesian Communities 30 points Not offered in 2025
    PACI402 2025 Resource Conservation and Environment in the Pacific 30 points Semester 2
    PACI405 2025 Indigenous Leadership in the Pacific 30 points Not offered in 2025
    PACI410 2025 Special Topic 30 points Not offered in 2025
    PACI490 2025 Dissertation 60 points Full Year
    PACI590 2025 Research Dissertation 60 points 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2026), 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026)

    More information

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