Master of Impact and Innovation – MII

This course critically examines planetary ill-health through a kaupapa Māori and Indigenous lens, foregrounding relationality as a foundational principle for understanding ecological crisis and global futures. The course explores how colonial modernity has systematically severed intergenerational and relational connections between human communities and the natural world — including land, waters, flora, and fauna — resulting in profound environmental, cultural, and epistemic harm. Students will interrogate the concept of relational failure and analyse its implications for planetary relationality and health. The course centres Indigenous knowledge and worldviews as vital intellectual and ethical frameworks for restoring balance, reciprocity, and responsibility in human–environment relationships.

An introduction to transdisciplinary approaches for understanding and responding to complex issues. Students explore a chosen topic from diverse disciplinary, cultural and community perspectives. Systems thinking tools are applied to develop a structured problem framing and students reflect on their collaborative practice.

This course provides advanced study in the practice of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on the application of the SDGs to real-world circumstances. Students will be exposed to diverse approaches, frameworks, and tools for measuring and integrating sustainability in policy making and practice.

This course develops advanced knowledge and applied capability in public policy analysis, design, and evaluation within planning and governance. Students develop professional judgement in policy analysis and evaluation through engagement with orthodox and alternative methods suited to complexity, uncertainty, and decolonising governance.

A conceptual and operational understanding of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This course provides a postgraduate-level introduction to fundamentals of spatial data creation, manipulation, management, visualisation and analysis.

A study of the practices, methods and frameworks for leading and changing organisations.

An introduction to business management in Aotearoa New Zealand, and the skills, tools and techniques needed for success in professional business practice. Students will engage with core concepts, examples, and case studies relevant to a range of business functions.

An advanced exploration and application of business ethics, social responsibility, stakeholder management, and responsible management in contemporary business contexts.

This course uses communication theory and research to explore ways of developing cross-cultural effectiveness, with an emphasis on communication in organisational settings.

Students will develop practical and critical skills in key facets of effective executive communication, including persuasion, motivation, and responding to disparate views. Students will develop their understanding of their own communication style and develop skills in planning and delivering impactful presentations in diverse contexts. Practical insights into gaining and retaining attention and responding to resistance will be developed.

An advanced study and practice of creative writing in its myriad contemporary forms.

Research methods for students whose research focuses on the human-science interface and human applications of science. The course includes foundations of science, ethics, the scientific method, and systems approaches to problem-solving and research; selection of appropriate research methods, including survey methods, case studies, enterprise/project analysis, and modelling; analysis and presentation of research results and communication skills.

Students in this course will examine contemporary exemplary ethnographies and develop their own ethnographic writing practices.

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.

A directed course in research methodology and communication in biosciences. Assignments may include a research proposal, a literature review, scientific writing for a journal and a formal seminar presentation.

An advanced introduction to selected communication research traditions and methods. Transdisciplinary competency in applied communication research is developed through the evaluation and application of different methodologies to communication research challenges.

An in-depth examination of a range of qualitative, quantitative, mixed and innovative methods, skills and techniques as they would be applied to practical, 'real-life' evaluation questions.

An advanced inquiry into the theory and practice of critical social science methodology in and beyond Aotearoa New Zealand covering epistemology, data generation, analysis, and research ethics.

This course provides a foundation in qualitative and participatory research methodologies, and the different approaches to knowledge that inform qualitative and participatory research. Students will develop competencies in qualitative and participatory research processes including design, data collection, analysis, dissemination, and critique of existing literature. The course foregrounds social, cultural, political and ethical considerations in the practice of public health research.

A study of Māori research frameworks, philosophies and processes and an examination of their contribution to the growing body of indigenous scholarship as relevant to educational settings.

Advanced application of interdisciplinary/transdisciplinary knowledge through a supervised practicum involving at least 320 hours of professional work within an organisation. Students integrate theory and practice by exploring connections between current literature and organisational contexts. A key focus is critical reflection on theoretical frameworks, professional practice and personal capability development.

Advanced application of interdisciplinary/transdisciplinary knowledge through the design and delivery of a capstone project addressing a complex problem, challenge, or opportunity. Students integrate theory and practice to develop, implement and evaluate a project informed by current literature and relevant methodologies. A central component is critical reflection on theoretical frameworks, project processes and outcomes.

Advanced application of interdisciplinary/transdisciplinary knowledge through an independent research project under supervision. Students integrate theory and research methodologies to examine a research question. The course emphasises critical engagement with the research process, including the relationship between theory, data, and interpretation.