Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of Maori Studies provides advanced, interdisciplinary study grounded in matauranga Maori and te ao Maori perspectives. It is designed for graduates who want to deepen their understanding of Maori knowledge, language, culture and societal systems, while developing the ability to contribute to Maori aspirations, leadership and community wellbeing.

Key benefits include:

• Advanced study of Maori knowledge, culture, language and contemporary issues.
• A choice of four specialist areas: Te Reo, Critical Studies in Maori Development, Hauora, and Maori Education.
• Both coursework and research pathways are available.
• Research training is embedded through Maori research methodologies.
• The programme can be studied by distance and online, making it accessible to international students studying from outside New Zealand.
• The qualification connects Maori perspectives with areas such as development, health, education, leadership, technology, policy and community wellbeing.
• Massey’s School of Maori Studies, Te Putahi-a-Toi, provides an academic focus on Maori cultural, educational, social and economic development. The School is based at the Manawatu campus, although the MMaoriS itself is currently offered as a distance/online qualification.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The MMaoriS has two possible pathways.

Coursework Pathway

Part One includes:

• 30-credit Maori research methodologies component
• 30-credit core/specialisation requirement
• 60 credits of additional subject courses

Part Two consists of:

• 60-credit Research Report in Maori Studies.

Research Pathway

Part One includes:

• 30-credit Maori research methodologies
• 30-credit core course
• Up to 30 credits of subject study

Part Two consists of:

• 90- or 120-credit thesis/research component.

The core research course is:

• 150714 Te Te Maori Rangahau Karero: Maori Research Methodologies – 30 credits

It examines research methodologies appropriate to Maori communities, iwi, hapa and whanau, including research frameworks, ethical considerations, research design and the use of information resources.

Examples of specialist subjects include:

Critical Studies in Maori Development

• 150701 Tino Rangatiratanga: Strategic Maori Development
• 150703 He Tatai Arorangi: Maori Astronomy
• 150740 Hangarau: Maori and Technology
• 150741 Te Amokura: Contemporary Leadership in Maori Development
• 150702 Pae Ora: Maori Health Advancement
• 150704 He Hokinga Mahara: Hauora Theory to Praxis
• 269711 Policy and Development in Maori Education
• 269733 Mana Motuhake: Contemporary Issues in Maori & Indigenous Education
• 269734 Mana Whanau: Whanau Engagement in Education.

Hauora

The Hauora specialisation focuses on Maori health and wellbeing, health planning, Maori health strategies, health funding and service delivery, Indigenous health perspectives and practical approaches to community and organisational wellbeing. Courses include Pae Ora: Maori Health Advancement and He Hokinga Mahara: Hauora Theory to Praxis.

Maori Education

This area includes:

• 269711 Policy and Development in Maori Education
• 269733 Mana Motuhake: Contemporary Issues in Maori & Indigenous Education
• 269734 Mana Whanau: Whanau Engagement in Education

The content addresses Maori education policy, power and resistance, advocacy, Maori and Indigenous educational rights, whanau participation and engagement with Maori communities.

Te Reo

The Te Reo pathway focuses on strengthening and revitalising te reo Maori, including advanced Maori literature, Maori-language use and scholarship. Courses include:

• 150711 Te Tau-Ihu o te Reo: Advanced Maori Literature
• 150710 Te Arero Kaiaka

Disciplines / Specialisations

The current regulations specify four specialisations:

1. Te Reo
2. Critical Studies in Maori Development
3. Hauora
4. Maori Education.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 9 master’s qualification.
• 180-credit structure.
• Approximately 1.5 years full-time for most specialisations.
• Te Reo can take 1.5–2 years depending on course sequencing.
• Four distinct specialist areas.
• Coursework and Research pathways.
• Dedicated Maori research-methodology component.
• Strong focus on matauranga Maori and te ao Maori.
• Distance and online delivery.
• International students can study online from outside New Zealand.
• Research pathway can include a substantial 90- or 120-credit thesis.
• Students can potentially progress towards further postgraduate research after completing the master’s.

Career Outcomes

Massey identifies potential career areas including:

• Iwi, hapa or community development manager
• Maori affairs or policy adviser in local or central government
• Treaty settlements or post-settlement governance adviser
• Strategic planner for Maori organisations
• Social innovation or community enterprise leader.

Depending on the chosen specialisation, graduates may also develop career pathways in areas such as:

• Maori health research and policy
• Community and hauora development
• Maori education
• Te reo Maori education and language initiatives
• Translation and language services
• Cultural advisory roles
• Maori policy and development
• Indigenous research
• Government and public-sector policy
• Iwi and hapa organisations
• Maori-focused community development.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The most important current updates for international students are:

• The qualification is currently available to international students studying online from outside New Zealand.
• The 2027 International Prospectus confirms February and July starts for the three main 1.5-year specialisations and February/July for Te Reo, with Te Reo listed at 1.5–2 years.
• The 2027 international tuition information lists NZ$34,800 for the MMaoriS online specialisations, with a cost of NZ$4,350 per 15-credit course.
• Te Reo courses may have prerequisites or require appraisal, so applicants should assess their prior Maori-language study carefully.
• Progression from Part One to Part Two requires at least a B average over the first 60 credits for the Coursework Pathway and at least a B+ average for the Research Pathway.
• The Research Pathway is therefore academically more demanding at the progression stage.
• Individual courses may have prerequisites, corequisites or appraisal requirements.
• No specific requirement that an international applicant must be Maori is stated on the current qualification entry requirements page. The published academic requirement is based on a relevant degree/qualification and grades.

International Student Visa Requirements

There is an important distinction for this qualification because Massey currently lists the MMaoriS as available to international students studying online from outside New Zealand.

If an international student remains outside New Zealand and studies the MMaoriS entirely online, a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa is generally not required merely to undertake the online programme.

If the student intends to study physically in New Zealand, immigration requirements are different. Immigration New Zealand's Fee Paying Student Visa requires, among other things:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider
• Evidence of sufficient tuition funding or an applicable scholarship
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor
• Acceptable insurance
• Health requirements
• Character requirements
• Genuine intention to study
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.