Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of Maori and Indigenous Leadership (MMIL) is an applied professional master's degree designed to develop leadership capability for people working with Maori and Indigenous communities.

UC says the programme is intended to prepare leaders who can advance the aspirations of iwi Maori and other Indigenous peoples in social, cultural, environmental, political and commercial contexts.

Key benefits include:

• Applied leadership education rather than purely theoretical study.
• Focus on Maori leadership, Indigenous development and self-determination.
• Opportunities to undertake research and an internship in a relevant community or organisation.
• A cross-cultural research tour/haerenga.
• Maori and Indigenous leadership models and philosophies.
• Opportunities to specialise around an area of individual interest.
• Learning delivered using culturally appropriate w?nanga and marae-based learning.
• Connections with Maori community leaders and UC academics.
• A pathway to PhD study in M?ori and Indigenous Studies. 

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The current MMIL is 180 points.

Compulsory courses include:

• TIRA404 Kaupapa M?ori Research
• TIRA430 M?ori Leadership
• TIRA431 Comparative Indigenous Models and Theories of Development
• TIRA495 Whakakaupapa
• TIRA435 Haerenga ki T?w?hi

TIRA436 Haerenga a-motu may be substituted for TIRA435 with permission.

Students then select one research option:

• TIRA680 Research Essay
• TIRA681 Research Project

In exceptional circumstances, TIRA682 Dissertation may be approved as a substitute.

The programme therefore combines:

• M?ori leadership.
• Kaupapa M?ori research.
• Comparative Indigenous development.
• Strategic leadership.
• Indigenous self-determination.
• Applied research.
• Community/organisational engagement.
• Cross-cultural learning.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The MMIL does not use a fixed list of formal majors.

Instead, UC describes it as highly customisable, allowing students to specialise in an area of interest.

Potential areas of focus can arise through the student's research project, internship and proposed community initiative, including:

• M?ori leadership.
• Indigenous development.
• Governance.
• Community development.
• Social development.
• Cultural development.
• Environmental leadership.
• Political leadership.
• Commercial/economic development.
• Indigenous self-determination.

Programme Highlights

• 180-point master's degree.
• 12–18 months full-time.
• 2–3 years part-time.
• February start.
• Professional-experience-focused admission.
• Minimum three years of professional Maori-sector experience for the main graduate entry route.
• Blended, culturally appropriate delivery.
• Marae-based wananga.
• Eight monthly w?nanga under the current published model.
• Cohorts in Te Tai Tokerau and Auckland under the current published delivery model.
• 14-day international haerenga/research tour.
• Research and internship components.
• 120 points of core courses.
• 30 points of elective research.
• 30-point cross-cultural research tour.
• Highly customisable study.
• Strong focus on Maori and Indigenous self-determination.
• National recognition through the 2025 Te Whatu Kairangi Kaupapa Maori Group Award.

Career Outcomes

UC says graduates are positioned to enhance leadership capability in organisations working with Maori, including:

• Iwi organisations.
• Maori organisations.
• Government.
• Community organisations.
• Private-sector organisations.

The qualification is particularly suited to leadership roles involving:

• Strategic leadership.
• Governance.
• Maori development.
• Indigenous development.
• Community transformation.
• Policy and organisational leadership.
• Maori-sector management.
• Indigenous economic and commercial development.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The most important current update is that UC's MMIL teaching team received the 2025 Te Whatu Kairangi Kaupapa Maori Group Award. The award recognised its Kaupapa Maori-led approach incorporating te reo Maori, tikanga Maori and matauranga Maori within a Maori philosophical framework.

Current special requirements include:

• At least three years of professional experience in the M?ori sector for the normal graduate entry route.
• A B GPA in 60 points at 300 level.
• Personal statement of 1,500–2,000 words.
• CV documenting relevant experience.
• Undergraduate transcript where applicable.
• Evidence of commitment to iwi self-determination and M?ori aspirations.
• A proposed project or initiative connected to Tino Rangatiratanga.
• Selection/approval requirements under the regulations.
• Participation in the programme's wananga and research/haerenga components.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students normally require a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa for full-time MMIL study.

Immigration New Zealand currently requires students to have:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Enough money to pay tuition fees, or an applicable scholarship.
• Enough money for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable insurance.
• Evidence meeting the applicable health and character requirements.
• Genuine intention to study.
• Appropriate evidence concerning departure from New Zealand at the end of the stay.