Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Postgraduate Certificate in Policy and Governance in the Pacific (PGCertPAGP) is a specialist postgraduate qualification focused on public policy and governance in Aotearoa New Zealand and Pacific states.
• UC describes it as culturally grounded and practice-oriented, responding to demand for policy and governance training across the Pacific.
• The programme combines theoretical learning with practical application rather than being solely academic.
• Students examine policy-making and governance in not-for-profit, public-policy, public-sector and private-sector settings.
• The programme focuses particularly on the policy and governance challenges faced by small states, with emphasis on New Zealand and Pacific countries.
• Teaching incorporates practical case studies, professional seminars and engagement with practitioners.
• UC draws on expertise from Political Science and International Relations and Pacific Studies, including academics working in Pacific political voice, self-determination, democracy, sustainability, climate change and civic participation.
• The qualification can be useful for professionals who already work in government, NGOs, Pacific organisations, iwi/M?ori organisations or policy-related roles and want specialised postgraduate knowledge.
• Students meeting the progression requirements may use the certificate as a pathway into the Master of Policy and Governance.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The certificate consists of exactly two compulsory 30-point courses:

1. POLS440 – Principles and Practice of Policy and Governance
2. POLS442 – Policy and Governance in the Pacific and New Zealand.

POLS440 covers:

• Theory and practice of policy making
• Governance
• Not-for-profit organisations
• Public policy
• Public and private sectors
• Principles and theories of policy analysis
• Historical dimensions of governance
• Professional seminars
• Policy case studies
• Giving policy advice
• Decision-making in political environments
• Institutional, time and resource constraints.

POLS442 covers:

• Policy and governance in small states
• New Zealand political economy
• Pacific political economy
• Development challenges
• Pacific and New Zealand policy environments
• Cultural capital
• Environmental risks
• Social risks
• Economic risks
• Regional policy-development case studies
• Governance case studies
• Locally led problem solving
• Seminars with practitioners and community leaders.

Disciplines / Specialisations

There are no separately named majors or formal specialisations within the 60-point certificate.

The principal academic focus is:

• Public policy
• Governance
• Political Science
• International Relations
• Pacific Studies
• Pacific governance
• Public-sector policy
• Not-for-profit governance
• Policy development in small states
• Maori and Indigenous perspectives
• Development and political economy.

Programme Highlights

• New qualification first offered in 2026.
• 60-point Level 8 postgraduate certificate.
• Two compulsory 30-point courses.
• One-year part-time structure.
• February and July entry points.
• Campus and distance-learning options.
• No requirement for a bachelor's degree specifically in Political Science.
• Strong focus on Aotearoa New Zealand and Pacific states.
• Combines theory with professional seminars and case studies.
• Includes engagement with practitioners and community leaders.
• Relevant to public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
• Potential pathway to the Master of Policy and Governance

Career Outcomes

UC states that the programme develops skills applicable to a wide range of careers in New Zealand and the Pacific. Potential areas include:

• Government agencies
• Public policy
• Policy analysis
• Policy advice
• Governance
• Iwi organisations
• Pacific organisations
• NGOs
• Not-for-profit organisations
• Community organisations
• Public-sector management
• Private-sector policy and governance roles.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The qualification was first offered in 2026.
• The current regulations came into force on 1 January 2026.
• It is a new 60-point qualification.
• The two courses are both compulsory; there is no published elective component.
• Both courses have Campus and Distance Learning delivery listed in the formal regulations.
• POLS440 is scheduled in Semester 1 and POLS442 in Semester 2.
• The formal completion limit is 12 months.
• A student who achieves at least a B average across the certificate and meets the Master of Policy and Governance entry requirements can apply to progress to that master's degree and have the certificate courses credited.
• There are no exit qualifications from the certificate.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student physically travelling to New Zealand to undertake the qualification, the relevant visa will generally be the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently requires:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, or an acceptable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meeting health and character requirements.
• Genuine intention to study.
• Evidence of onward travel or sufficient funds to leave New Zealand.