- Where you can study
-
Auckland campusDistance and onlineManawatū campus (Palmerston North)
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International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
- Open to international students on campus in New Zealand, or studying online outside New Zealand
- Note:
- Note: 1.5 years part-time. Not available for full-time study.
Specialise in Indigenous Psychologies for your Diploma in Arts at Massey
Indigenous (local) psychologies is a movement, perspective and approach that examines how the worldviews specific to particular (Indigenous) communities influence the thoughts and behaviours of group members.
Only specialisation of its kind
Massey offers the only specialisations in Indigenous psychologies in the South Pacific.
This diploma has been developed from an intellectual movement that recognises that ways of conceptualizing and interacting with reality differ greatly between individuals depending on their cultural affiliation and context. You’ll learn how and why Indigenous psychologies challenge the (assumed) universality of dominant Western psychological theories; explore phenomena, methods and theories from localised perspectives; and understand why this is necessary in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Indigenous psychologies explores how Indigenous perspectives/worldviews are integral to group and individual behaviour. You’ll learn why local knowledge systems are key to addressing local concerns. You’ll also gain awareness, knowledge and skills that will enable effective engagement with a range of people.
This qualification provides a unique and exciting opportunity to fully appreciate the extraordinary contributions that Indigenous psychologies provide in our world.
Further study
The Diploma in Arts (Indigenous Psychologies) will provide foundational skills and awareness required for further postgraduate study in psychology at Massey, and is highly recommended if you wish to pursue a career as a registered psychologist.
A Diploma in Arts in Indigenous Psychologies is a good fit if you:
- wonder how Indigenous perspectives are integral to behaviour
- want to understand how Indigenous knowledge systems address local concerns
- want awareness and skills to engage with a range of people.
Planning information
Planning information
The Diploma in Arts (Indigenous Psychologies) is only available for part-time study due to sequencing of courses.
If you later proceed to the Bachelor of Arts degree, all of the courses in your Diploma of Arts can be transferred to the Bachelor of Arts.
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 Diploma in Arts
As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.
Indigenous Psychologies courses
Compulsory courses
Course code: 175103 Introduction to Indigenous Psychologies 15 credits
The course provides foundational content of indigenous psychologies, including the rationale for their inclusion in the discipline of Western Psychology, as well overviewing their application across multiple domains (e.g., health, education, social, policy, etc) in Aotearoa New Zealand specifically, and more generally in other cultural contexts across the globe.
View full course detailsCourse code: 175210 Ngā Tirohanga Rua o te Taha Hinengaro: Bicultural Perspectives in Psychology 15 credits
This course engages with the concept of culture, and its relevance and importance in a bicultural country such as Aotearoa. The interplay between non-Western cultural perspectives and the dominant form of psychology situated within a predominantly Western scientific paradigm, is explored. Indigenous perspectives in general and Māori worldviews specifically, are examined within and juxtaposed to, the discipline of psychology.
View full course detailsCourse code: 175314 Advanced Indigenous Psychologies 15 credits
The course provides advanced content of indigenous psychologies, including their specific application in the theory, research and practice of psychology across multiple domains (e.g., health, education, social, policy, etc) in Aotearoa New Zealand specifically, and more generally in other cultural contexts across the globe.
View full course detailsSubject courses
Course code: 134221 Great Asian Thinkers 15 credits
A detailed investigation and analysis of the major philosophical systems which have developed within East Asia since the first millennium Before Common Era.
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: 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: 179230 Tangata Moana Perspectives and Practices for Transformation 15 credits
Examining Tangata Moana (Pacific/Pasifika) perspectives and how they inform social practice and policy towards transforming individual, family and community outcomes.
View full course detailsCourse code: 241207 Chinese Diaspora 15 credits
This course will examine the emergence and transformation of Chinese international migration in the global context of China’s interactions with the outside world and diaspora’s changing patterns of political, social and cultural adaptations in various regions in the world.
View full course detailsSubject qualification elective courses
Course code: 146102 Endangered Cultures 15 credits
An introduction to the impacts of colonisation and capitalism on Indigenous peoples, and their enduring resistance to oppressive systems of power.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150103 Nau mai e noho: Engaging with Māori 15 credits
This course will equip students with a range of skills to engage with Māori communities including common expressions in te reo, an understanding of key traditional concepts, customary practices (tikanga), the importance of the Treaty of Waitangi and the nature and structure of Māori social and political organisations.
View full course detailsCourse 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: 175104 Pacific Peoples in New Zealand 15 credits
An introduction to the distinctive cultures of Pacific Peoples in New Zealand. Students will develop an understanding of core values, traditions, cultural protocols, social processes and world views that are characteristic of Pacific cultures in the New Zealand context.
View full course detailsCourse code: 242103 Introduction to Japanese Culture 15 credits
An overview of the cultural development of Japan from early times to the present.
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 this qualification, 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: $8,420
- International students: $42,300
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
Search our 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
The knowledge and skills gained from the Diploma in Arts (Indigenous Psychologies) will be foundational for a continued and life-long journey of exploration into how culture is integral to individual and group behaviour. Appreciating Indigenous psychologies will be useful in many careers where human interaction and behaviour is key, such as:
- public health
- counselling
- psychological services
- education.
International students
International students
New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated five star plus by the QS World University Rankings.
Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.
As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.
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