Master of Māori Studies – MMāoriS

Advancing Māori knowledge for shaping tomorrow and strengthening today.

Ko te mātauranga te pou o te ao Māori.

Type of qualification
Master's degree
Level of study
Postgraduate study

Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree – or have equal experience – you can study at the postgraduate level. Doctoral qualifications require additional entry requirements.

More about study levels

NZQF level 9

Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.

Find out more about NZQF levels

Time to complete
1 year 6 months full-time (180 credits)
International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Open to international students studying online from outside New Zealand

Study a Master of Māori Studies – MMāoriS

The Master of Māori Studies provides advanced, interdisciplinary study grounded in mātauranga Māori and te ao Māori perspectives. Designed for graduates seeking to deepen their understanding of Māori knowledge, language, culture, societal systems, this qualification equips students to make a meaningful impact in their chosen field.

Through research, critical inquiry and applied practice students explore pathways in te reo, hauora, critical studies and education that support Māori aspirations, leadership and community wellbeing.

A MMāoriS is a good fit if you:

  • have a passion for advancing Māori wellbeing, language and identity
  • want to aspire to lead, or innovate through Māori perspectives
  • want to strengthen Māori knowledge and contribute to transforming communities.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

To enter the Master of Māori Studies, you will have been awarded or qualified for:

  • a relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent with at least a B grade average across the 200-300 level specialisation courses; or 
  • a relevant postgraduate diploma, 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. 

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:

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 and specialisations

Courses and specialisations

Key terms

Courses
Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
Course code
Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
Credits
Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
Specialisations
Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

Credit summary

180 credits

Coursework Pathway

  • Part One: Research methods course – 30 credits
  • Part One: Core course – 30 credits
  • Part One: Choice of courses – 60 credits
  • Part Two courses – 60 credits

Research Pathway

  • Part One: Research methods course – 30 credits
  • Part One: Core course – 30 credits
  • Part One: Subject course – Up to 30 credits
  • Part Two: Research courses – 90-120 credits

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

Core course (Choose 30 credits from)

Choose 30 credits from
Course code: 150714 Tā Te Māori Rangahau Kōrero: 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 details

Subjects

Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

Fees and scholarships

Fees and scholarships

2026 tuition fees

  • Domestic students: $10,652
  • International students: $38,840

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.

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

Careers and job opportunities

Careers encompass roles within marae, whānau, hapū iwi organisations as well as the environmental, government and corporate arenas:

  • Iwi, hapū, or community development manager
  • Māori affairs or policy advisor (local or central government)
  • Treaty settlements or post-settlement governance advisor
  • Strategic planner for Māori organisations
  • Social innovation or community enterprise leader.