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International students
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Specialise in Māori Knowledge for your Master of Arts at Massey
An understanding of Māori language and culture is key to shaping the social, political and economic future of our nation.
With a Master of Arts (Māori Knowledge) you’ll build on your fundamental knowledge of Māori language, culture and tikanga. You’ll explore how Māori culture and knowledge thrive and struggle in the modern world. You’ll investigate issues of social justice and inequality.
Learn from award-winning lecturers
Our Māori knowledge programme is led by 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.
A Master of Arts in Māori Knowledge is a good fit if you:
- wish to stay relevant with current advances in Māori studies
- want to investigate a particular aspect of Māori studies for a thesis or research report.
Planning information
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
Not all courses are available in each semester.
The Master of Arts (Māori Knowledge) is a parts-based qualification. That means you must complete the first part, before moving to the second.
Grades achieved in the first 60 credits will determine eligibility for progression to Part Two.
- For the coursework pathway a minimum B grade average is required.
- For the research pathway a minimum B+ grade average is required.
If you enrol in a thesis, you commence with Thesis (90 or 120 credits) Part 1, followed by Thesis (90 or 120 credits) Part 2 in the next enrolment period. Both parts combine to meet the thesis requirements with a single grade assigned to each part.
If the thesis cannot be submitted at the end of the initial Thesis (90 or 120 credits) Part 2 enrolment, you must re-enrol in Thesis (90 or 120 credits) Part 2 and pay fees each semester until submission is made.
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.
Part One: Coursework Pathway (120 credits) or Research Pathway (Between 60 and 90 credits)
Compulsory course
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 detailsSubject courses
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.
View full course detailsCourse 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 detailsCourse code: 150710 Te Reo Whakawhitiwhiti: The Language of Everyday Communication 30 credits
A focus on the use of Māori language at home, in the workplace, in social situations, in sport and recreation. Students will be encouraged to express ideas and opinions in Māori with confidence and to incorporate new words into the vocabulary as indicated. The significance of local idiom will be an important part of the course.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150711 Te Tau-Ihu o te Reo: Advanced Māori Literature 30 credits
Tuatahi he ako i te taumata momo reo, te kawa o tātau marae pēnei i te tangihanga, whakataukī, pepeha, kōrero pūrākau, waiata tawhito. Tuarua he kaupapa mai i te rēanga poropiti Māori o ērā atu rau tau. Ka tātaritia hoki ngā kōrero mo tērā poropiti a Te Kooti Ārikirangi Te Tūruki i ahu mai ai ngā kaupapa maha e pā ana ki te mana motuhake. Tuatoru kā tātaritia ngā kōrero e pā ana ki tēnei kaupapa hohonu, e taukapo ai ōnā kaupapa ko te poroporoaki tēnā. This course explores language forms used in marae procedure, and language associated with tangihanga, whakataukī, pepeha, kōrero pūrākau, waiata tawhito. In addition the prophecies and aspirations of Te Kooti Ārikirangi Te Tūruki are explored. There is also an examination of the oral narrative and written literature associated with poroporoaki.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150715 Taonga Tuku Iho: Heritage Aotearoa 30 credits
An examination of the dynamics of Māori culture and custom as part of the Aotearoa/New Zealand heritage. Particular emphasis is placed on the significance of land, language, oral tradition, the marae, art, and the Treaty of Waitangi, as well as an examination of the role of government in heritage through a study of legislation, policy and programmes. Case studies will focus on conservation, maintenance, sustainability and revitalisation.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150799 Research Report (30) 30 credits
Part Two: Coursework Pathway
Course code: 150873 Research Report Māori Studies (60) 60 credits
Part Two: Research Pathway
Course code: 150816 Thesis 120 Credit Part 1 60 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150817 Thesis 120 Credit Part 2 60 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150881 Thesis 90 Credit Part 1 45 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150882 Thesis 90 Credit Part 2 45 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150883 Thesis 90 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150899 Thesis 120 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
To enter the Master of Arts (Māori Knowledge) you will have been awarded or qualified for:
-
a Bachelor of Arts degree (or equivalent) with a major in the intended postgraduate subject, with at least a B grade average across the 200/300 level major courses
-
a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) with a subject in the intended postgraduate subject or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts with an endorsement in the intended postgraduate subject, or an equivalent qualification, with at least a B+ grade average across the 700-level courses for entry to the Research Pathway or a B grade average across the 700-level courses for entry to the Coursework Pathway.
If you have a BA (Hons) or PGDipArts from Massey University in the intended Master of Arts subject as outlined above, you may apply for credit towards Part One of the qualification.
You will need to provide verified copies of all 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.
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.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
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.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
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
Your Master of Arts (Māori Knowledge) will be a great pathway to careers in a range of areas, including:
- community work
- foreign affairs
- Māori development
- policy analysis
- research
- teaching
- translation services.
Related study options
Māori Education – Postgraduate Diploma in Education
Make a difference in Māori education. Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Māori Education) will prepare you to be at the forefront of learning and teaching with advanced study in Māori education.
Māori Education – Master of Education
Make a positive difference for Māori. Help set a new direction for learning and teaching with a Master of Education (Māori Education).
Māori Knowledge – Graduate Certificate in Arts
Gain knowledge of Māori language, culture, and tikanga with the Graduate Certificate in Arts (Māori Knowledge). You can study Māori without having to complete a second bachelor’s degree.
Māori Knowledge – Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Māori Knowledge), you can take your Māori studies to the next level.
Māori Knowledge – Bachelor of Arts
With a Massey Bachelor of Arts (Māori Knowledge) you’ll gain knowledge of Māori culture, worldviews, and the significance of te reo Māori.
Māori Knowledge – Diploma in Arts
The Diploma in Arts (Māori Knowledge) 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 Knowledge – Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
Take your study of Māori to the next level with Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Māori Knowledge). You’ll develop further insight into Māori language, culture and tikanga.
Māori Knowledge – 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.
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.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz