He mihi
Tēnei ka noho i te roro o tōku whare o Te Tumu Herenga Waka
‘Te pātaka kai iringa o te kupu o te kōrero’
Ka titiro whakawaho
Ki te pae tukutuku o te ao hurihuri
E rāhiri mai nei i a koutou e te tī, e te tā, o wīwī, o wāwā
Nau mai, haere mai, whakatau mai ki tēnei whārangi ipurangi
Tākina te kawa, ko te kawa o tūārangi
Tākina te kawa, ko te kawa o mohoa noa nei
Tākina te kawa, ko Te Kawa a Māui e!
Become skilled in mātauranga Māori
Study issues in Māori society and develop your expertise in Māori culture and language. Refine the research skills you need to better understand the past, present, and future of Māori.
Examine Māori worldviews, language, tikanga, and decolonising practices. Develop critical analysis, thought leadership, and community-centred research skills to make a difference for communities, whānau, hapū, and iwi.
Our postgraduate Māori Studies courses cover contemporary issues, research methods, and self-directed research projects.
Choose your study path
There are several ways you can take Postgraduate Māori Studies with us.
Postgraduate study pathways
Postgraduate study gives you the flexibility to focus on either coursework or research, depending on your goals and interests.
When you study by coursework, you'll learn in a structured way through lectures, tutorials, assignments, and exams. When you do a research degree, you’ll do independent research while working closely with an academic supervisor.
Focus on coursework
Graduate Certificate in Arts
Graduate Diploma in Arts
Postgraduate Certificate in Arts
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
Master of Arts (by coursework)
Focus on research
Bachelor of Arts with Honours
Master of Arts (by thesis)
Doctor of Philosophy
Postgraduate Indigenous Studies
You can choose to explore your understanding of te ao Māori in a wider international context with Postgraduate Indigenous Studies.
Postgraduate Indigenous Studies explores the cultures, histories, and knowledge systems of Indigenous people. Learn about local and international issues related to Indigenous people through interdisciplinary study in history, politics, anthropology, and the arts.
Qualification support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser through our enquiry form.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
For the research portion of your study, you’ll need a supervisor to help guide your research. Your programme coordinator will work with you to find the right person.
Study options
Find out how you can take Postgraduate Māori Studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Be immersed in kaupapa Māori while you study
Our facilities are based on sustainability practice, tikanga Māori, and Maori teaching styles, all integrated with our marae wharenui at our back door.
Ngā Mokopuna is our purpose-built teaching and learning space. It brings together mātauranga Māori and Western science innovations, including renewable energy and climate change transition technologies. It incorporates our offices, student study areas, and teaching spaces. The first floor features the marae kitchen and dining area.
We’ve been a pioneer in Māori study and scholarship for decades. We first offered Te Reo Māori and Māori Studies in the 1960s, and in 1980 we became the first university in Aotearoa to establish a marae on campus. Our wharenui—Te Tumu Herenga Waka—opened in December 1986.
Ngā mokopuna in action
Future careers
Postgraduate Māori Studies helps you build cultural awareness, analytical thinking, and the ability to work across cultures—skills that are valued in every field.
These skills, along with understanding belief systems, influences, and communication make graduates valuable across many different industries.
More career information
Find out more about careers.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
Te Herenga Waka Māori Master's by Thesis Scholarship
These scholarships are open to applicants of Māori descent. They're awarded on academic merit, your experience and knowledge, and the importance of your proposed research.
Find out more about the scholarship
Other scholarships
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
Scholarships for Humanities and Social Sciences
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Applicants must be enrolled, or intending to enrol full time, in a Master’s or PhD degree in areas related to identity management and are New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
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This scholarship is for students undertaking or intending to undertake an Honours or Masters degree at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in areas related to Peace Building or Peace Studies, Trust Building, Conflict Resolution, addressing Historical Injustice, Restorative Justice, Social Cohesion, Community building and promoting cross-cultural understanding, Change Making or Ethical Leadership.
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This Scholarship was established in 2025 to honour Professor Margaret Hyland who held the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research at Victoria University of Wellington from 2018 to 2025.
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
Scholarships for Humanities and Social Sciences
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The scholarship shall be awarded annually to a full-time Master's by thesis student undertaking research in New Zealand's history, cultures and society. Students who are intending to transfer to Victoria University of Wellington from other universities are eligible to apply. This scholarship is open to domestic and international students.
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The scholarship is open to graduates of any university in New Zealand or of the University of the South Pacific, who are enrolled or intending to enrol full-time or part-time, in a Master of Criminology (MCrim) or a PhD in Criminology at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
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The purpose of the award is to assist postgraduate (full-time or part-time) students in the study of a Master’s of Linguistics, Applied Linguistics or TESOL by coursework at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington. Applicant will be assessed on the basis of academic merit. Relevant prior experience may also be taken into account.
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Peter Adds
Presenter
Maria Bargh
Professor
Hona Black
Professor
Hannah Higgison
Lecturer
Kelly Keane-Tuala
Lecturer
Ocean Mercier
Professor
Symon Palmer
Lecturer
Mike Ross
Senior Lecturer
Annie Te One
Tumuaki, Head of School
Ari Thomson-Lawrence
Lecturer
Brian Tunui
Lecturer
Kanauhea Wessels
Lecturer
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.