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.
Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
A three-year degree offering flexibility to explore a major in Arts along with other subjects
Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Commerce, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Science, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
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.
Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
The Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad), requiring study of at least seven papers (at least four of which are at 300-level o...
Postgraduate Study in Māori Studies
Explore postgraduate study in Māori Studies at Otago. Gain advanced knowledge, skills, and research opportunities in a s...
Related subject areas
Explore all subject areasGovernment, politics and law
Gain skills and knowledge for decision-making, social issues, politics, and laws that impact Aotearoa and the world
History, philosophy, people and society
Understand the world by thinking deeply about people, cultures, and society – past, present, and future
Language and global cultures
Explore cultures, languages, and global issues to discover your place in an inclusive, sustainable world
Māori, Pacific and indigenous studies
Explore Māori, Pacific, and indigenous languages, heritage, and values to contribute positively to these communities
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject as a major and minor (where available).
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | MAOR 102 Māori Society | 18 |
| MAOR 111 Te Kākano 1 | 18 | |
| MAOR 112 Te Kākano 2 | 18 | |
| 200-level | MAOR 211 Te Pihinga 1 | 18 |
| MAOR 212 Te Pihinga 2 | 18 | |
| One further 200-level MAOR paper or PACI 201 | 18 | |
| 300-level | MAOR 311 Te Māhuri 1 | 18 |
| MAOR 312 Te Māhuri 2 | 18 | |
| One additional 300-level MAOR paper | 18 | |
| One further paper from 300-level MAOR or INDS papers or PACI 301 | 18 | |
| Plus | 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
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | Two 100-level MAOR papers | 36 |
| 200-level | One 200-level MAOR paper, and one further INDS, MAOR or PACI paper at 200-level or above | 36 |
| 300-level | One 300-level MAOR paper | 18 |
| Total | 90 | |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
MAOR papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAOR102 | 2025 | Māori Society | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| MAOR108 | 2025 | Waiata: Te Tīmatanga | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MAOR110 | 2025 | Introduction to Conversational Māori | 18 points | Summer School, Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| MAOR111 | 2025 | Te Kākano 1 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MAOR112 | 2025 | Te Kākano 2 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MAOR120 | 2025 | Introducing the Māori World | 18 points | 1st Non standard period (10 November 2025 - 12 December 2025) |
| MAOR202 | 2025 | Māori and Tikanga | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MAOR203 | 2025 | Ngāi Tahu Society | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MAOR204 | 2025 | Te Tiriti o Waitangi | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MAOR206 | 2025 | Ngā Pūkenga Tuhi | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MAOR207 | 2025 | Ngā Kōrero Nehe - Tribal Histories | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MAOR208 | 2025 | Ngā Manu Taki | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MAOR210 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MAOR211 | 2025 | Te Pihinga 1 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MAOR212 | 2025 | Te Pihinga 2 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MAOR213 | 2025 | Te Mana o Te Reo | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MAOR301 | 2025 | He Whakarākai | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MAOR303 | 2025 | Ngāi Tahu and the Natural World | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MAOR304 | 2025 | Te Rōpū Whakamana i Te Tiriti - Waitangi Tribunal | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MAOR306 | 2025 | Ngā Pūkenga Tuhi | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MAOR307 | 2025 | Te Tūtakitanga o Ngā Ao e Rua | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MAOR308 | 2025 | Ngā Hākinakina a Te Māori | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MAOR310 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MAOR311 | 2025 | Te Māhuri 1 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MAOR312 | 2025 | Te Māhuri 2 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MAOR313 | 2025 | Te Hiringa Taketake | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MAOR316 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MAOR327 | 2025 | Ngā Pakanga Nunui: New Zealand Wars | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MAOR401 | 2025 | He Whakarākai (Whakatīeke) | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MAOR404 | 2025 | Toitū te Whenua - Land, Lore and Colonialism | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MAOR407 | 2025 | Presenting Pacific Histories | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| MAOR410 | 2025 | Special Topic | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MAOR413 | 2025 | Te Tātari i Te Kaupapa - Māori and Indigenous Education | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MAOR414 | 2025 | He Pūkōrero - Theory and Research Methodologies | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MAOR417 | 2025 | Special Topic | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MAOR427 | 2025 | He Tuhituhinga | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MAOR431 | 2025 | Te Kōhure | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MAOR490 | 2025 | He Raukura | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 29 May 2026) |
| MAOR590 | 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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