- 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.
- Not open to international students
- Note:
- Note: Not all courses are available in any given year
Specialise in Māori Studies for your Graduate Diploma in Arts at Massey
A Massey Graduate Diploma in Arts (Māori Studies) is a bridging tool for graduates in other subjects to get the equivalent of a major in Māori Studies.
An understanding of Māori language and culture is key to shaping the social, political and economic future of our nation. With a GradDipArts (Māori Studies) you’ll explore how Māori culture and knowledge thrive and struggle in the modern world and investigate issues of social justice and inequality.
Choose your specialist study areas
Massey’s Graduate Diploma in Arts (Māori Studies) delves into a range of specialist research areas including Māori policy and development, Treaty of Waitangi - Te Tiriti o Waitangi politics, Māori health and Māori politics. Other study areas include Māori visual arts and Aotearoa heritage. Together, these will give you a sound understanding of Māori culture and society.
Learn from award-winning lecturers
Our staff are leaders in Māori research. You’ll learn from winners of the Aotearoa Māori book awards, and recipients of New Zealand Fulbright scholarships. Our lecturers bring their knowledge and passion for Māori literature and development into their teaching to give you a creative and innovative learning experience.
Further study
Once you have completed your Graduate Diploma in Arts (Māori Studies), you can then go on to postgraduate studies in Māori studies if you wish.
A Graduate Diploma in Arts in Māori Studies is a good fit if you:
- have ever wondered about the origins of Aotearoa New Zealand’s culture
- want a sound understanding of Māori culture and society
- are keen to learn, or improve your te reo Māori.
Planning information
Planning information
If you study full-time you’ll take eight 15-credit courses (120 credits) in 1 year, or 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school.
Prerequisite courses
Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.
The GradDipArts (Māori Studies) schedule includes 300209 Te Reo Torangapu: Political Te Reo which has a 100-level course required as a prerequisite. The prerequisite must be passed before enrolling in 300209.
Meeting the prerequisite requirement may require you to study the 100-level course in addition to those specified for the GradDipArts.
Please note: No 100-level credits can be included in the GradDipArts. Any 100-level prerequisite course that you need to pass before you start the Graduate Diploma in Arts should be taken under the Certificate of Proficiency Undergraduate.
Speakers of Te Reo Māori
If you are a Māori language speaker please contact teputahi-a-toi@massey.ac.nz prior to enrolling in language courses.
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.
Compulsory courses
Course 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: 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: 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: 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 detailsEntry requirements
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
To enter the Graduate Diploma in Arts (Māori Studies) you will have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
This qualification is classified as NZQF Level 7 and requires the same English language standard as most undergraduate bachelor degrees, diplomas and certificates.
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: Not applicable
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
Your Graduate Diploma in Arts (Māori Studies) will 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 – Bachelor of Arts
With a Massey Bachelor of Arts (Māori Studies) you’ll gain knowledge of Māori culture, worldviews, and the significance of te reo Māori.
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.
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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