Why Study / Key Benefits

Massey describes te reo Maori as a taonga (treasure) and positions this major around developing genuine, functional Maori-language capability together with knowledge of tikanga and contemporary Maori issues.

Key benefits include:

• Develop oral and written communication skills in te reo Maori.
• Build an understanding of tikanga, protocols and customs.
• Gain knowledge of contemporary issues affecting Maori.
• Participate in a Maori-language learning community that encourages everyday use of te reo Maori.
• Develop language skills through spoken communication, writing, literature, formal Maori language and marae-based language genres.
• Prepare for possible postgraduate study in Te Reo Maori.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Te Reo Maori major consists of 120 credits, made up of eight 15-credit courses. The current course schedule includes compulsory and subject-course options.

Current compulsory courses include:

• 300110 Te Reo Whakahoahoa: Socialising in Te Reo – introduction to elementary Maori language structures, terminology and pronunciation.
• 300111 Te Reo Kanakinaki: Developing Te Reo – develops listening, speaking and writing competence and introductory communication in te reo Maori.
• 300209 Te Reo Torangapu: Political Te Reo – political discourse, activism-related texts, contemporary and customary concepts, proverbs and songs.
• 300210 Te Reo Karerorero: Discussing in Te Reo – spoken and written M?ori, language structure, vocabulary and figures of speech.
• 300211 Te Reo Whakanakonako: Embellishing Te Reo – formal language associated with tangihanga, whakatauka, pepeha, parakau and waiata tawhito.

Students must choose at least 45 credits from the available subject courses. Current options include:

• 300310 Te Reo Whakanikoniko – critical analysis and creative composition in Maori literature, including editing, peer review and critical revision.
• 300311 Te Reo Papa: Strengthening Te Reo – Maori poetry, tribal legends, ancestral narratives, Maori philosophies, idioms and metaphors.
• 300312 Te Reo o te Marae: Karanga and Whaik?rerorero – formal language and skills associated with karanga, whaikarero, karakia, waerea, tauparapara and poroporoaki.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme-specific major is:

• Te Reo Maori

Students can also broaden their Bachelor of Arts by taking:

• A minor in another recognised subject
• A second major/double major, subject to BA regulations
• Elective courses.

Programme Highlights

• Bachelor of Arts, NZQF Level 7.
• 360 credits.
• 3 years full-time.
• Te Reo M?ori major worth 120 credits.
• Distance and online delivery.
• International students can study online from outside New Zealand.
• No additional Te Reo Maori-specific admission requirement.
• Introductory language study is available through 300110.
• Courses progress from elementary communication to political discourse, formal M?ori language and advanced language/literary study.
• Strong focus on te reo M?ori and tikanga.
• Optional minor and double-major possibilities.
• Preparation for postgraduate study in Te Reo Maori.

Career Outcomes

Massey states that written and oral competence in te reo M?ori is an asset for work in community, health, education and government organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Career pathways identified by Massey include:

• Community work
• M?ori and Indigenous development
• Policy analysis
• Research
• Publishing
• Journalism
• Teaching
• Speaking M?ori to tamariki and mokopuna.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The latest 2027 Massey information confirms Te Reo M?ori as a Bachelor of Arts major delivered by distance/online. The 2027 BA is a 360-credit, 3-year full-time qualification.

Important programme-specific considerations include:

• The major consists of 120 credits.
• Students need to plan prerequisites carefully before enrolling in higher-level Te Reo Maori courses.
• The programme is designed to accommodate students beginning with introductory Maori language study.
• A minor is optional and must normally be in a different subject from the major.
• Returning students may be subject to transitional provisions if course or major requirements have changed.
• If a student already holds a bachelor's degree, certain BA core courses may be replaced with approved alternatives through Special Permission. 

International Student Visa Requirements

There is an important distinction for this particular programme: Massey currently offers Te Reo Maori only through distance and online delivery and explicitly states that the major is open to international students studying online from outside New Zealand.

Therefore, an international student who remains outside New Zealand and completes the programme online does not need a New Zealand student visa merely because they are enrolled at Massey.

If an international student instead intends to physically study in New Zealand under a programme arrangement that permits on-campus study, the applicable Fee Paying Student Visa requirements include:

• Offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient tuition funds or an applicable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Health and character requirements where applicable.
• Genuine intention to study.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.