Regulations for The Postgraduate Diploma in Impact and Innovation - PGDipII

This course explores the theories, practices, and challenges of transitioning from linear (take-make-waste) to circular economies prioritising reducing, reusing and repairing. Students will engage with economic geography, life cycle thinking, policy analysis, and interdisciplinary design approaches to understand and support transitions to greater circularity in contemporary economies in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally.

Consumption—acquiring, using, and disposing of commodities—shapes everyday life and sustains capitalist societies. This course examines how consumption influences, and is influenced by, the places we inhabit. Students analyse production–consumption relations, explore how social, political, and economic change transforms consumption across scales, and consider how identity, ethics, and everyday practice intersect to address the question: Why does consumption matter?

Economic analysis of policy management issues in the use of natural resources, climate change, and the environment.

An in-depth exploration of the life cycle and environmental issues of solid material resources upon which all economic production depends. Zero Waste is examined as a resource management paradigm shift in philosophy, policy, technology and practices focused on sustainable development.

The concept of life cycle thinking and its application to support decision-making for product systems. The course will provide an overview of the principles and methodology for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) according to the ISO 14040 and 14044 standards, and introduce related environmental footprinting approaches (carbon and water footprinting).

The purpose of this course is to engage students in critical explorations of climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience. In particular, we will examine the complex relationship between global worldviews, state-led or professional practices and, on the other hand, local or Indigenous worldviews and community-based or alternative livelihood practices responding to climate change. Drawing from a critical hope perspective, students will determine effective policy and practice responses to climate change in specific contexts. The course also investigates global and local climate change funding mechanisms, with specific focus on Aotearoa and the Pacific.

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an advanced understanding of the climate change crisis based on the idea of critical hope, drawing from indigenous, natural, and social science theories, knowledges and frameworks. Students will critically engage and reflect on the ways in which the Sustainable Development Goals represent and attempt to mitigate Climate Change. In particular, this course explores the effects of climate change on Māori and Pacific peoples, and using real-world examples examines how indigenous knowledges, approaches and practices are shaping responses in these communities.

An analysis of the economics of climate change and evaluation of the mitigation options used by policy makers globally.

Economic analysis of policy management issues in the use of natural resources, climate change, and the environment.

Climate change presents specific challenges to the domestic and international construction industry, requiring innovations during the entire lifecycle of projects. This course introduces students to aspects of climate change, principles of sustainability, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals relevant to the built environment. It focuses on the specific implications of climate change for the construction industry and ways in which the industry can take leadership in promoting sustainability.

This course explores the cultural, social, health, economic, and environmental dimensions of contemporary food systems. Students examine how food is produced, governed, and consumed, and consider challenges and responsibilities such as sustaining local food economies, improving system wide sustainability and understanding of indigenous knowledges and connections to food. The course also introduces methods for evaluating sustainability related claims and investigates how public values and perceptions of food are shaped. Students apply this understanding to develop effective, socially informed communication strategies for educating diverse audiences about food-system issues.

The properties of packaging materials and requirements of labelling/legislation and the implications of choice on product shelf life, integration with processing, transport, traceability and information systems, and impact on consumer interaction with the product, sustainability and product cost are explored as part of this course.

Critical reviews, case studies, advanced study and/or research into selected aspects of food quality.

This course covers: innovation and operations management within food industry production and supply chain systems; design, planning, control and continuous improvement of processes in industrial systems; methods and measures for quality control and daily decision-making in food and related businesses; and leadership and management of teams in the workplace.

An exploration of the variety of toxins in foods from different sources and their management in the food industry.

The growing concern with food allergies and intolerance is the issue of food allergens. This course examines the mechanisms of food allergy and intolerance, the identification of allergenic compounds, and the management of product development and production to ensure sensitive individuals are not exposed to such components.

This course will explore the integration of food safety and nutrition from a range of perspectives including policy, food regulation, food formulation and consumer choice and health.

An advanced study of international agri-food business and marketing. Emphasis is placed on international consumers and agri-food exports, including external environment, terms of trade, transportation, packaging, documentation, methods of payment, risk management, intercultural communication and negotiation.

Contemporary New Zealand and international agribusiness issues and strategies. Emphasis is placed on the dynamics of agribusiness strategies, structures and institutions in the context of agricultural trade and environmental issues, food and fibre markets and supply chains. Case studies are used extensively throughout the course.

An economic analysis of the global food markets with emphasis on international trade, agri-food policies, and on the industrial organisation of the contemporary food sector.

Planetary Health is a solutions-oriented, transdisciplinary field focused on how our changing climate and biosphere impact human health. We will explore definitions of health that encompass individuals, communities, and wider natural systems, and examine intersections between shifting disease burden, disaster management and climate adaptation. We will analyse local and international strategies for flourishing that are attuned to equity and climate justice.

Advanced study of natural hazards planning to build hazard- and climate-resilient communities that have just, sustainable and flourishing futures. Understand and apply planning processes and tools to assess hazard exposure and vulnerability, reduce hazard and climate risks, improve disaster readiness, develop effective response capabilities, facilitate recovery, and enable climate resilient development.

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.

Critical reviews or applied research on advanced topics in Environmental Health.

This course presents the overarching framework, principles and core functions of public health in Aotearoa New Zealand. It utilises a multidisciplinary lens to investigate the key determinants of health status across population groups in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally. The course provides the necessary foundation for students to engage in advanced approaches essential for public health practice.

This course uses systems thinking approaches to examine and compare the Aotearoa New Zealand health system within the international context, how it is structured and operates, and how this impacts on public health responses. Health policy and public health advocacy is examined as an instrument to enhance the health system and broader responses to major public health challenges.

This course aims to provide students with the conceptual, analytical and strategic planning basis for effective public health practice. The course focuses on the theory and practice of designing, developing, implementing and evaluating practice. It draws upon analysis of determinants, stakeholders, Te Tiriti o Waitangi-led and community development approaches, and intervention research.

An advanced study of international agri-food business and marketing. Emphasis is placed on international consumers and agri-food exports, including external environment, terms of trade, transportation, packaging, documentation, methods of payment, risk management, intercultural communication and negotiation.

Contemporary New Zealand and international agribusiness issues and strategies. Emphasis is placed on the dynamics of agribusiness strategies, structures and institutions in the context of agricultural trade and environmental issues, food and fibre markets and supply chains. Case studies are used extensively throughout the course.

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an advanced understanding of the climate change crisis based on the idea of critical hope, drawing from indigenous, natural, and social science theories, knowledges and frameworks. Students will critically engage and reflect on the ways in which the Sustainable Development Goals represent and attempt to mitigate Climate Change. In particular, this course explores the effects of climate change on Māori and Pacific peoples, and using real-world examples examines how indigenous knowledges, approaches and practices are shaping responses in these communities.

The purpose of this course is to engage students in critical explorations of climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience. In particular, we will examine the complex relationship between global worldviews, state-led or professional practices and, on the other hand, local or Indigenous worldviews and community-based or alternative livelihood practices responding to climate change. Drawing from a critical hope perspective, students will determine effective policy and practice responses to climate change in specific contexts. The course also investigates global and local climate change funding mechanisms, with specific focus on Aotearoa and the Pacific.

Advanced study of natural hazards planning to build hazard- and climate-resilient communities that have just, sustainable and flourishing futures. Understand and apply planning processes and tools to assess hazard exposure and vulnerability, reduce hazard and climate risks, improve disaster readiness, develop effective response capabilities, facilitate recovery, and enable climate resilient development.

The properties of packaging materials and requirements of labelling/legislation and the implications of choice on product shelf life, integration with processing, transport, traceability and information systems, and impact on consumer interaction with the product, sustainability and product cost are explored as part of this course.

Critical reviews, case studies, advanced study and/or research into selected aspects of food quality.

This course covers: innovation and operations management within food industry production and supply chain systems; design, planning, control and continuous improvement of processes in industrial systems; methods and measures for quality control and daily decision-making in food and related businesses; and leadership and management of teams in the workplace.

An exploration of the variety of toxins in foods from different sources and their management in the food industry.

The growing concern with food allergies and intolerance is the issue of food allergens. This course examines the mechanisms of food allergy and intolerance, the identification of allergenic compounds, and the management of product development and production to ensure sensitive individuals are not exposed to such components.

This course will explore the integration of food safety and nutrition from a range of perspectives including policy, food regulation, food formulation and consumer choice and health.

This course explores the theories, practices, and challenges of transitioning from linear (take-make-waste) to circular economies prioritising reducing, reusing and repairing. Students will engage with economic geography, life cycle thinking, policy analysis, and interdisciplinary design approaches to understand and support transitions to greater circularity in contemporary economies in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally.

Consumption—acquiring, using, and disposing of commodities—shapes everyday life and sustains capitalist societies. This course examines how consumption influences, and is influenced by, the places we inhabit. Students analyse production–consumption relations, explore how social, political, and economic change transforms consumption across scales, and consider how identity, ethics, and everyday practice intersect to address the question: Why does consumption matter?

An analysis of the economics of climate change and evaluation of the mitigation options used by policy makers globally.

An economic analysis of the global food markets with emphasis on international trade, agri-food policies, and on the industrial organisation of the contemporary food sector.

Economic analysis of policy management issues in the use of natural resources, climate change, and the environment.

An in-depth exploration of the life cycle and environmental issues of solid material resources upon which all economic production depends. Zero Waste is examined as a resource management paradigm shift in philosophy, policy, technology and practices focused on sustainable development.

This course explores the cultural, social, health, economic, and environmental dimensions of contemporary food systems. Students examine how food is produced, governed, and consumed, and consider challenges and responsibilities such as sustaining local food economies, improving system wide sustainability and understanding of indigenous knowledges and connections to food. The course also introduces methods for evaluating sustainability related claims and investigates how public values and perceptions of food are shaped. Students apply this understanding to develop effective, socially informed communication strategies for educating diverse audiences about food-system issues.

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.

Critical reviews or applied research on advanced topics in Environmental Health.

This course presents the overarching framework, principles and core functions of public health in Aotearoa New Zealand. It utilises a multidisciplinary lens to investigate the key determinants of health status across population groups in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally. The course provides the necessary foundation for students to engage in advanced approaches essential for public health practice.

This course uses systems thinking approaches to examine and compare the Aotearoa New Zealand health system within the international context, how it is structured and operates, and how this impacts on public health responses. Health policy and public health advocacy is examined as an instrument to enhance the health system and broader responses to major public health challenges.

This course aims to provide students with the conceptual, analytical and strategic planning basis for effective public health practice. The course focuses on the theory and practice of designing, developing, implementing and evaluating practice. It draws upon analysis of determinants, stakeholders, Te Tiriti o Waitangi-led and community development approaches, and intervention research.

The concept of life cycle thinking and its application to support decision-making for product systems. The course will provide an overview of the principles and methodology for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) according to the ISO 14040 and 14044 standards, and introduce related environmental footprinting approaches (carbon and water footprinting).

Planetary Health is a solutions-oriented, transdisciplinary field focused on how our changing climate and biosphere impact human health. We will explore definitions of health that encompass individuals, communities, and wider natural systems, and examine intersections between shifting disease burden, disaster management and climate adaptation. We will analyse local and international strategies for flourishing that are attuned to equity and climate justice.