Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of Laws in M?ori/Pacific and Indigenous Peoples' Law (LLM M?ori/Pacific/Indigenous) is a specialist postgraduate law qualification focused on Indigenous peoples' rights, Pacific legal thought and the development of Indigenous jurisprudence. The programme examines historical and emerging developments in Indigenous rights, including the influence of the United Nations and other international organisations and the role of the State in recognising Indigenous environmental and economic rights.

Key benefits include:

• In-depth study of Indigenous peoples' rights and legal development.
• Exposure to M?ori, Pacific and Indigenous legal perspectives alongside Common Law.
• Development of advanced legal research, reasoning and writing skills.
• Study of the relationship between Indigenous rights, environmental rights, economic rights and State institutions.
• Opportunity to explore the legal implications of post-settlement Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Access to advanced law seminars and research-focused teaching.
• Opportunities to engage with diverse cultural and historical perspectives through Waikato's multicultural Faculty of Law. 

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme is research- and seminar-oriented and requires 120 points at Level 500 or above. Students must complete either ALPSS500 or LEGAL504 and then select additional eligible advanced Law papers.

A particularly relevant compulsory-option paper is:

• LEGAL504 – M?ori, Pacific and Indigenous Research Methodologies, 30 points. This paper introduces M?ori, Pacific and Indigenous research methodologies, principles, methods and ethics and focuses on culturally responsive research with M?ori, Pacific and Indigenous peoples. For 2027 it is scheduled in A Trimester in Hamilton.

The 2027 Law subject regulations provide a range of advanced 500-level papers that can contribute to the programme, subject to the approved programme of study. Relevant examples include:

• LEGAL505 – Critical Issues in the Treaty of Waitangi in Contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand
• LEGAL525 – Critical Issues in Contemporary and International Indigenous Law
• LEGAL540 – Critical Issues for Pacific Peoples and the Law
• LEGAL535 – Advanced Environmental Law
• LEGAL530 – Advanced Water Law
• LEGAL522 – Advanced Climate Change Law
• LEGAL507 – Academic Legal Research and Writing
• LEGAL501 – Advanced Evidence Law
• LEGAL520 – Intellectual Property Law and Policy
• LEGAL552 – Critical Issues in International Criminal Law
• LEGAL587 – Advanced Health Law
• LEGAL588 – Advanced Issues in Gender and the Law
• LEGAL582 – Advanced Banking and Finance Law
• LEGAL528 – Advanced Foreign Investment Law. 

Disciplines / Specialisations

The formal specialisation is M?ori/Pacific and Indigenous Peoples' Law.

The programme's academic focus includes:

• Indigenous peoples' rights
• M?ori legal perspectives
• Pacific legal thought
• Contemporary and international Indigenous law
• Treaty of Waitangi issues
• Indigenous research methodologies
• Indigenous environmental rights
• Indigenous economic rights
• M?ori governance
• Indigenous jurisprudence
• Post-settlement legal developments in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Programme Highlights

• Specialist master's qualification in M?ori, Pacific and Indigenous Peoples' Law.
• 120 points.
• One-year standard full-time duration.
• March and July intakes.
• Based at Te Piringa | Faculty of Law in Hamilton.
• Strong focus on Indigenous rights and jurisprudence.
• Coverage of M?ori, Pacific and international Indigenous legal perspectives.
• Research-oriented postgraduate legal study.
• Option to study M?ori, Pacific and Indigenous research methodologies.
• Access to advanced Law papers across areas such as Treaty of Waitangi, Indigenous law, Pacific peoples and the law, environmental law and public policy.
• Possibility of graduating with Honours where the specified requirements are met.
• Exposure to a culturally diverse law-school environment.

Career Outcomes

The University specifically identifies the following areas as relevant career directions for graduates of this specialist programme:

• Academic teaching and research
• Treaty settlement
• M?ori governance
• Crown Law
• Local government
• Central government
• Education
• Maori economy.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The University has published 2027 Law subject regulations, with the information current as of September 2026. These regulations show continuing availability of specialist-relevant papers including M?ori, Pacific and Indigenous Research Methodologies, Critical Issues in the Treaty of Waitangi in Contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand, Critical Issues in Contemporary and International Indigenous Law, and Critical Issues for Pacific Peoples and the Law.

For 2027:

• LEGAL504 M?ori, Pacific and Indigenous Research Methodologies is 30 points and scheduled in A Trimester in Hamilton.
• LEGAL505 Critical Issues in the Treaty of Waitangi in Contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand is 30 points and listed in G teaching period in Hamilton and Tauranga.
• LEGAL525 Critical Issues in Contemporary and International Indigenous Law is 30 points and listed in B Trimester in Tauranga.
• LEGAL540 Critical Issues for Pacific Peoples and the Law is 30 points and listed in A Trimester in Hamilton

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying the qualification in New Zealand generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa unless they hold another immigration status that permits study. Waikato states that the student visa must name the University of Waikato as the student's place of study.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that the Fee Paying Student Visa:

• Allows study in New Zealand for up to 4 years.
• Costs from NZD 850.
• Requires an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Requires sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or evidence of a scholarship.
• Requires sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Requires acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Requires applicants to satisfy health, character and genuine-intention requirements.
• Requires evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.