Māori Health – Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science

This qualification enables you to specialise in Māori knowledge within advanced health studies. Explore the progress made and the potential to further develop the health and wellbeing of Māori communities.

Where you can study

Distance and online

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Not open to international students
Note: Not all courses are available in any one year.

Specialise in Māori Health for your Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science at Massey

Hui te wānanga, hui te Rangiora

(assemble within the house of knowledge, assemble within the abode of health, life, and vitality)

Excerpt from Te Kawa a Toi Karakia composed by Professor Meihana Durie

An understanding of how to improve Māori health is key to shaping the social, political and economic future of our nation. The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Māori Health) can give you the knowledge and confidence to challenge approaches that perpetuate racism and further disparities in Māori health, and champion kaupapa Māori and whānau-centred solutions.

This qualification is suitable if you:

  • are committed to improving health outcomes for Māori
  • wish to take advanced studies in Māori knowledge.

Toi Hauora provides teaching, research and supervision in Hauora. Situated within Te Pūtahi a Toi, the School of Māori Knowledge, you’ll gain from this group’s expertise in te reo, tikanga, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Māori policy and development, mātauranga, and rangahau.

If you want to elevate the health and wellbeing of iwi, hapū, whānau, and Māori communities, then Māori health is for you.

When you graduate from this qualification, you should be able to:

  • apply a Te Tiriti o Waitangi critical analysis to health
  • engage tikanga in professional and reflective practice
  • employ kaupapa Māori and whānau-centred solutions to fulfil the aspirations of iwi, hapū, whānau, and Māori communities’,
  • actively contribute to Māori health and wellbeing and the wider domains of health policy,  promotion and practice
  • offer advice and leadership in Māori health and wellbeing
  • broaden understandings and perspectives on health in relation to mātauranga and Māori development
  • contribute in a considered and scholarly way to public debate on Māori health matters
  • specialise and be recognised/accredited in Māori health.

Further study

If you successfully complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Māori Health) you may be eligible to enrol into the thesis component of the Master of Health Science (Māori Health).

A Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science in Māori Health is a good fit if you:

  • are committed to ensuring equity of health outcomes for Māori and Tiriti-led health care provision
  • aspire to elevate the health and wellbeing of Māori communities with kaupapa Māori and whānau-centred solutions
  • are thinking of doing a Master of Health Science (Māori Health).

Planning information

If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year, or 60 credits per semester.

We recommend that you begin with 150702 Pae Ora: Māori Health Advancement (30 credits).

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Courses you can enrol in

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Compulsory courses

Choose 60 credits from
Course code: 150702 Pae Ora: Māori Health Advancement 30 credits

Strategies for the advancement of Māori health will be explored with a particular focus on health planning, national Māori health related strategies, health funding, the delivery of health services, and the link between Māori health strategies and positive Māori development.

View full course details
Course code: 150714 Ta Te Māori Rangahau Korero: Māori Research Methodologies 30 credits

An examination of methodologies appropriate for research within Māori communities, iwi, hapu and whanau. Emphasis will be placed on accessing relevant information held in public repositories, on the internet and on computerised databases. The identification of frameworks for research in Māori contexts, ethical issues, and research design form important aspects of the course.

View full course details

Subject courses

Choose 60 credits from
Course code: 150701 Tino Rangatiratanga: Strategic Māori Development 30 credits

Strategies for Māori advancement are examined within a Māori development framework. Barriers to development and the facilitation of positive development are explored using criteria relevant to indigenous self-determination. There is a focus on land, fisheries, social policy, health, Treaty settlements and opportunities for positive development.

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Course code: 150799 Research Report (30) 30 credits
Course code: 231704 Hauora Māori 30 credits

This course provides an overview and analysis of hauora Māori perspectives. Historical and contemporary contexts and challenges are used to discuss Māori approaches in public health, with reference to Māori knowledge and Māori leadership. The course focuses on developing critical consciousness for becoming advocates and champions for Māori health through Te Tiriti o Waitangi-led practice.

View full course details

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

To enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Māori Health) you will have been awarded or qualified for the Bachelor of Health Science or an equivalent undergraduate qualification.

You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.

English and Māori language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards. You will also need at least a basic proficiency in te reo Māori.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Fees and scholarships

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme

Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.

Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

Scholarship and award opportunities

Search our scholarships and awards

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Careers and job opportunities

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Māori Health) will expand your advancing career in Māori health in areas such as:

  • promotion and advocacy
  • management and leadership
  • advice and consultancy
  • policy and quality assurance
  • research and publication
  • governance.

Accreditations and rankings

QS Ranking - Psychology

Massey is ranked in the world's top 250 universities for psychology by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

Learn more

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