- Where you can study
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Distance and online
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International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
- Open to international students studying online from outside New Zealand
- Note:
- Note: Not all courses are available in any given year
Specialise in Māori Studies for your Bachelor of Arts at Massey
An understanding of Māori language, culture and Te Tiriti o Waitangi is key to shaping the social, political and economic future of our nation.
With a Massey Bachelor of Arts (Māori Studies) you’ll acquire knowledge of Māori society and culture, particularly:
- the significance of te reo Māori
- Māori worldviews.
Become an agent of change
You’ll gain Te Tiriti o Waitangi knowledge and skills. You’ll be able to engage with a range of social, cultural, economic and political structures and processes – you’ll be an agent of positive Māori development. You’ll acquire important connections that will enable you to demonstrate your social responsibility toward Māori development, in ways that are respectful of communities, the environment, and wider society.
Apply your knowledge
Your BA (Māori Studies) will give you the opportunity to apply your knowledge across a range of areas, for example:
- education
- health
- research
- policy
- whānau, hapū, iwi and community development.
A Bachelor of Arts in Māori Studies is a good fit if you:
- want to contribute positively to individuals, whānau, local and national communities
- want a sound understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Māori narratives and the significance of te reo Māori.
Planning information
Planning information
If you study full time, in the first year you’ll take eight 15-credit courses, making a total of 120 credits.
If you wish to study over two semesters, you should aim for 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school if you wish. Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.
You need to pass five courses at 300-level for your BA. One of these (230310) is in the compulsory core and three are required for your major. If you are not taking a double major or a minor, you will need to take one 300-level elective course to meet this requirement.
About this major
A Te Reo Māori major consists of 120 credits (eight courses).
The language courses begin with 300110 Te Reo Whakahoahoa: Socialising in Māori, for students without any previous experience in the Māori language. If you are a Māori language speaker please contact teputahi-a-toi@massey.ac.nz prior to enrolling in language courses.
The other courses in Māori visual arts, Aotearoa heritage, Māori policy and development, Māori education and Māori health allow you to gain a sound understanding of Māori culture and society.
Minors
Completing a minor is optional. Minors increase the breadth of your degree. They give you extra knowledge, attributes and capabilities.
A minor must be in a different subject from your major.
A Bachelor of Arts (Māori Studies) with a minor
You may choose a minor from the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business or Bachelor of Science. If the minor is from another degree the regulations of that qualification will apply.
A Māori Studies minor (for students who are studying a different degree)
If you are not studying towards a BA (Māori Studies) and wish to complete a minor in Māori Studies see the BA regulations for requirements.
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 Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate 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 be 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
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.
Core courses for the Bachelor of Arts
As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.
Māori Studies courses
Compulsory courses
Course code: 150114 He Tirohanga Taketake: Māori Perspectives 15 credits
An analysis of Māori knowledge, custom and economic foundations. Customary lifestyles will be examined within a context of ritual, philosophy, technology, economic principles, and social organisation in order to understand Māori culture.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150201 Te Kawenata o Waitangi: The Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand Society 15 credits
A study of the Treaty of Waitangi background, texts, principles, and application to contemporary New Zealand. There is a particular focus on land, legislation, court decisions, social policies, the environment, constitutional matters, claims to the Waitangi Tribunal and Treaty settlements. Differing perspectives of hapū/iwi/Māori and the Crown, as well as opportunities for resolution, are explored.
View full course detailsCourse code: 300110 Te Reo Whakahoahoa: Socialising in Te Reo 15 credits
An introduction to elementary Māori language structures, Māori terminology and the correct pronunciation of the Māori language.
View full course detailsCourse code: 300209 Te Reo Torangapu: Political Te Reo 15 credits
An examination of the language of struggle this course develops the use and understanding of political discourse in Māori both spoken and written through the use of text types associated with activism, essential customary and contemporary concepts, intermediate language patterns, and the use of oral genre such as proverbs and song to support political communication. He āta tūhura i ngā āhuatanga o te reo tohe te kaupapa o te pepa nei. Ka nui ake tō mōhiotanga ki te reo tōrangapū ā-waha, ā-tuhi mā te whakamahi i ngā momo kōrero e hāngai ana ki te mahi mātātoa, ngā ariā tūturu me ngā whakaaro hou, ngā takotoranga reo tau tuarua, tae atu ki ngā momo ā-waha pērā i te whakataukī, i te waiata hei tautoko i te whakawhitinga tōrangapū.
View full course detailsSubject courses
Course code: 150202 Mauri ora: Māori Wellbeing and Vitality 15 credits
Cultural understandings of health form the basis for an exploration of cultural, biological, social, economic, environmental and political interactions and their impacts on Māori health.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150204 Mana Māori: Māori and Politics 15 credits
The study of the nature of Māori politics and political self-determination in contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand. It will explore the avenues through which Māori have sought to realise their political aspirations, particularly in relation to national political institutions, and theoretical perspectives that can assist in the analysis and strategic development of Māori political self-determination.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150205 Kura Mai Tawhiti: Māori Knowledge 15 credits
An examination of heritage and contemporary Māori knowledges exploring the origins and relevance of traditional belief systems and the contemporary cultural-political contexts of mātauranga paradigms in areas such as research, education, justice, science, business, social development and the environment.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150301 Te Mana Te Kawanatanga: Māori Policy and the State 15 credits
Recent policies, legislation and judicial outcomes that impact on Māori people are examined as well as interaction between Māori and the State in formulating policies for Māori. A framework for analysis derived from Māori perspectives serves as a basis for understanding policy development and is applied to specific policy areas including Māori land, broadcasting, fishing, employment, health, the environment and Treaty settlements.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150302 Whānau ora: Principles of Flourishing Whānau 15 credits
Approaches for the advancement of Māori health will be reviewed with a particular focus on health promotion, whānau ora and the link between Māori health initiatives and positive Māori development.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150303 Mana Wahine: Māori Women 15 credits
A theory and research based examination of issues that concern Māori women in all contexts, including the roles that Māori women assume both within a Māori social framework and beyond. Theories of mana wahine and the ways mana is maintained, enhanced or lessened will be examined.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150304 Te Ao Hurihuri: Contemporary Māori Issues 15 credits
A critical examination of contemporary Māori cultural, political and human rights issues through colonisation to present day renaissance of Māori and indigenous peoples.
View full course detailsCourse code: 269332 Māori Issues in Education 15 credits
A study of relationships between cultural values and education and of the extent of Māori educational needs and aspirations.
View full course detailsSubject qualification elective courses
Course code: 139362 Oceanic Literatures of Aotearoa: Ngā Tuhinga Kōrero o te Moana nui a Kiwa 15 credits
A study of contemporary Oceanic (Māori and Pasifika) literature in English contextualised in relation to customary and pre-colonial Oceanic literatures, narratives, and storytelling methods.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150112 Hauora Tangata: Foundations of Māori Health 15 credits
An introduction to understanding Māori health within Aotearoa/New Zealand.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
There are no specific entry requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (Māori Studies), outside of university admission regulations.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
If you have already completed a bachelor degree
If you have already completed a bachelor degree you may replace 230111 Tū Kupu: Writing and Inquiry or 230112 Tū Arohae: Critical Thinking with courses of your choice. You will need to apply for replacement courses via a Special permission request and you will need to attach evidence of your completed degree with the request.
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 and scholarships
2026 tuition fees
- Domestic students: $7,415
- International students: $34,220
Tuition fees are estimates only. The exact fees charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment. The estimates are for full-time study (120 credits). Fees are in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax (GST).
The estimates do not include the Student Services Fee. This fee is $1,164 for on-campus students and $948 for distance students for full-time study (120 credits). For more information about this fee and other fees you may need to pay, see non-tuition fees.
There may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
Course fees
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, including how much could be covered and your eligibility on the Inland Revenue website.
Scholarship and award opportunities
Find more scholarships and awardsFees 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
Careers and job opportunities
Your major in Māori Studieswill be a great pathway to careers in a range of areas, including:
- community work
- foreign affairs
- Māori development
- policy analysis
- research
- teaching.
Related study options
Critical Studies in Māori Development – Master of Māori Studies
Advancing Māori futures through critical enquiry, research development and cultural knowledge.
E tipu, e rea mō ngā rā o tōu ao.
Hauora – Master of Māori Studies
Advancing hauora for future generations.
Whai mātauranga, Whakatipu hauora.
Māori Education – Master of Māori Studies
Integrating Māori knowledge, critical inquiry and cultural knowledge in education and praxis.
E tipu ake ai te mātauranga, e ora ai te mātaurau.
Māori Studies – Graduate Certificate in Arts
Gain knowledge of Māori language, culture, and tikanga with the Graduate Certificate in Arts (Māori Studies). You can study Māori without having to complete a second bachelor’s degree.
Māori Studies – Diploma in Arts
The Diploma in Arts (Māori Studies) introduces you to te ao Māori, the Māori world, and will give you a sound background in Māori language, visual arts, Aotearoa heritage, and Māori policy and development.
Māori Studies – Graduate Diploma in Arts
Learn about Māori culture, society, and language. This Graduate Diploma in Arts will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in Māori studies without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Postgraduate Diploma in Māori Studies – PGDipMāoriS
Te Aho Paerewa Postgraduate Diploma Teaching and Learning in Māori Medium – PGDipT&LMM
Te Aho Paerewa is New Zealand’s first university postgraduate qualification in Māori-medium initial teacher education.
Takatū mai koe hei kaiako, hei kaiarataki i ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori. Ko Te Aho Paerewa he tohu paerua tuatahi o ngā whare wānanga o Aotearoa ki te whakangungu kaiako mātauranga Māori.
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