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Study Indigenous Studies at Otago

    Be an agent of change.

    Indigenous Studies will broaden your understanding of the world as you explore humanity’s cultural diversity.

    It will change your world view as you learn about indigenous cultures, histories and societies.

    You will explore the dynamic living cultures of indigenous peoples and learn how indigenous knowledge systems can generate change that is sustainable, transformative and of benefit to everyone.

    Why study Indigenous Studies?

    Whether you want to learn about and promote the interests of indigenous people locally, or around the world, a major in Indigenous Studies will help you achieve this.

    Through this programme you will learn the value of indigenous knowledge through the critical reading and research of selected indigenous societies and cultures in both historical and contemporary contexts. You will also examine how such knowledge may help support the varied interests and needs of contemporary indigenous people and communities as they engage with and manage the issues of living in the present world in order to sustain their peoples, cultures and communities into the future.

    Indigenous knowledge has its place in every aspect of society. Wherever your interests lie, Indigenous Studies complements many fields of study and work, including:

    • environmental sustainability
    • resource management
    • policy development
    • education
    • historical and cultural studies
    • language revitalisation
    • primary healthcare and preventative medicine
    • economic wellbeing
    • social and community development
    • social research

    Indigenous Studies encourages you to explore the connectivity between these disciplines and how their methodologies and intellectual genealogies can further enable indigenous communities to determine their own futures.

    Graduates develop a multi-disciplinary, culturally inflected understanding of indigenous concepts and issues, including the use of co-operation rather than competition, and the importance of relationality and respecting differences.

    Career opportunities

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

    Graduates with a degree in Indigenous Studies have a broad interdisciplinary knowledge base, which can lead to careers in the  fields of:

    • Education
    • Social Work
    • Business
    • Law
    • Policy and governance
    • Waitangi Tribunal
    • Foreign Affairs
    • Health
    • Community organisations
    • Archeology

    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 MAOR 102 Māori Society 18
    MAOR 110 Introduction to Conversational Māori, or another language paper as approved by the Dean of the School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies 18
    PACI 101 Pacific Societies 18
    200-level MAOR 202 Māori and Tikanga 18
    PACI 201 Contemporary Pacific Island Issues 18
    Two of ANTH 204, ANTH 205, ANTH 206, ANTH 208, GEOG 278, HIST 223, HIST 246 , INDS 210, MAOR 203, MAOR 204, MAOR 207, MAOR 208, MAOR 210, MAOR 211 , MAOR 212, MAOR 213, MFCO 212, PACI 202, PACI 210, POLS 202, POLS 237 , PUBH 203, SPEX 206 36
    300-level INDS 301 Māori and Indigenous Development: Governance and Ethics or INDS 302 Whakapapa and Marae 18
    Three of ANTH 324, ECON 303, ENGL 339, GEOG 378, HIST 327, HIST 347, INDS 307 , INDS 310, MANT 340, MAOR 303, MAOR 304, MAOR 307, MAOR 308, MAOR 310 , MAOR 311, MAOR 312, MAOR 313, MAOR 316, MART 305, MFCO 318, PACI 301, PACI 305, PACI 310, POLS 337, SPEX 306, TOUR 301, TOUR 306 54
    Note: 300-level papers selected should be consistent with interdisciplinary choices at 200-level. Approved papers may be drawn from those offered by other Divisions.  
    Plus 162 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. 162
    Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts (See Note below).  
    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

    PapersPoints

    Five papers:

    MAOR 102 Māori Society
    MAOR 202 Māori and Tikanga

    Three of ANTH 204, ANTH 205, ANTH 206, ANTH 208, GEOG 278, HIST 206, HIST 223 , HIST 246, INDS 210, INDS 301, INDS 302, INDS 307, INDS 310, MAOR 110 , MAOR 203, MAOR 204, MAOR 207, MAOR 208, MAOR 210, MAOR 211 or MAOR 212, MAOR 213, MFCO 212, PACI 101, PACI 103, PACI 201, PACI 210 , POLS 202, POLS 237 or POLS 337, PUBH 203, including at least one of INDS 301, INDS 302, INDS 307 , INDS 310.


    18
    18

    54

    Papers

    View a list of all related papers below.

    INDS papers

    Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
    INDS210 2025 Special Topic 18 points Semester 2
    INDS301 2025 Māori and Indigenous Development: Governance and Ethics 18 points Semester 1
    INDS302 2025 Whakapapa and Marae 18 points Semester 2
    INDS307 2025 Ancient East Polynesian Histories 18 points Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
    INDS310 2025 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2025
    INDS401 2025 Indigenous Identities 30 points Semester 2
    INDS402 2025 Taonga and Identity 30 points Not offered in 2025
    INDS410 2025 Special Topic 30 points Not offered in 2025
    INDS590 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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    Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.

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