Postgraduate Public Management - Victoria University of Wellington

Improve how public-sector organisations are run

Postgraduate study in Public Management builds your ability to shape strategy, manage resources, and deliver results.

You’ll learn about governance and public-sector reform, programme design and evaluation, budgeting, and leading people through change.

Our flexible qualifications are designed for working professionals, with entry based on relevant experience. Choose from study options over one to four years.

Explore the Master of Public Management

Watch the video below to see how the Master of Public Management (MPM) can make you a more effective public manager and help you shape the direction of public sector organisations.

Well, the Master of Public Policy focuses very much on policy analysis, policy development, and policy implementation, a very strong technical set of skills there. Master of Public Management looks much more at leadership and management more generally and a broader skill set.

Kia ora, I'm Michael Macaulay. I'm Professor of Public Administration and I teach on a range of courses on the Master of Public Management.

I looked at a number of programmes at the Master's level and for me the MPM felt like the most relevant and practical Master's that was available, and I thought it would suit my career quite nicely.

So, on the Master of Public Management, our students learn a range of different leadership and management domains. They'll learn about various leadership styles and leadership techniques, not just for the public sector but also for the not-for-profit and community sectors as well.

They'll learn about various aspects of financial management and budgeting, a lot of emphasis on strategy and strategic decision making, and of course all the things that they need to learn about human resources.

The programme structure was really great. The way it's delivered is in module forms, or certainly the papers that I did, which means you come in for a day, you learn that module, and then you have a four to five week break before you come back to learn the next module, and during that time you typically prepare one of the deliverables for the paper.

So, our Master of Public Management graduates tend to move upwards and they move outwards. They're not necessarily looking for a career change as such, but they're certainly looking to move into extended leadership positions, more senior positions within their agencies, and of course we give them the transferable skills and knowledge that they can take to move across agencies as well if they choose to do so.

Each year we do admit a few students that're coming directly from a Bachelor's degree. These students have a passion for the public sector, have a great academic record, and we welcome them into the same degree programme as people with a bit more experience.

Choose your study path

Each of our postgraduate qualifications in Public Management has a different duration, and all of them can be studied while you work. Choose the qualification that matches your availability and career goals.

Develop your career in Public Management

Choose from three postgraduate qualifications designed to build on your work experience in the public sector and strengthen your expertise in public management:

Postgraduate Certificate in Public Management (60 points)—develops essential skills and core knowledge in public management
Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management (120 points)—builds on this foundation with more advanced study and elective courses that align with your interests and career goals
Master of Public Management (180 points)—builds advanced expertise and strong analytical skills for career progression and leadership in public management.

These qualifications form a tiered pathway. Courses you complete in the Certificate or Diploma can count towards the Master’s, so you can build your qualification over time.

A flexible alternative

If you want more flexibility, you can study many of the same courses through the Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Studies (PGCertPS).

This 60-point qualification lets you choose almost any 400- or 500-level course at the University, including GOVT courses from the Master of Public Management. You can combine Public Management courses with others that match your interests and career goals.

Get started in Public Management

If you recently graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in a different subject and want to add Bachelor’s-level Public Management knowledge to your toolkit, consider the following qualifications:

Graduate Certificate in Commerce (60 points)
Graduate Diploma in Commerce (120 points).

Consider Public Policy

Our postgraduate Public Management programme is closely related to our Public Policy programme. If you are more interested in public policy—how it gets made and how to improve it—you might find one of our postgraduate Public Policy qualifications more suitable.

Postgraduate Public Policy

Qualification support and advice

We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.

Get in touch and a copy of our prospectus, or get in touch directly with our Recruitment Manager, Jade Chiam.

Email: jade.chiam@vuw.ac.nz

Download the prospectus

A man and woman have discussion at table

Study options

Find out how you can study Postgraduate Public Management at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Learn about new commerce subjects and gain new skills. Prepare for postgraduate study or enhance your career prospects.

0.5 Year

Kelburn and Pipitea campuses, Wellington

Postgraduate

Full or part-time

Coursework · Daytime

Important dates

2026 – Trimester 3

Apply by

12 Nov 2026

Start study

16 Nov 2026

2027 – Trimester 1

Apply by

14 Feb 2027

Start study

22 Feb 2027

2027 – Trimester 2

Apply by

15 Jun 2027

Start study

5 Jul 2027

2027 – Trimester 3

Apply by

10 Oct 2027

Start study

15 Nov 2027

Entry requirements Degree and subject requirements

Learn about new commerce subjects and gain new skills. Prepare for postgraduate study or enhance your career prospects.

1 Year

Kelburn and Pipitea campuses, Wellington

Postgraduate

120

Full or part-time

Coursework · Daytime

Important dates

2026 – Trimester 3

Apply by

12 Nov 2026

Start study

16 Nov 2026

2027 – Trimester 1

Apply by

14 Feb 2027

Start study

22 Feb 2027

2027 – Trimester 2

Apply by

15 Jun 2027

Start study

5 Jul 2027

2027 – Trimester 3

Apply by

10 Oct 2027

Start study

15 Nov 2027

Entry requirements Degree and subject requirements

Build public management skills through a 60-point postgraduate qualification that boosts your leadership potential and provides a pathway to a Master’s degree.

Postgraduate Certificate in Public Management

0.5 Year

Pipitea campus, Wellington

Postgraduate

Full or part-time

Coursework

Important dates

2026 – Trimester 3

Apply by

12 Nov 2026

Start study

16 Nov 2026

2027 – Trimester 1

Apply by

14 Feb 2027

Start study

22 Feb 2027

2027 – Trimester 2

Apply by

15 Jun 2027

Start study

5 Jul 2027

2027 – Trimester 3

Apply by

10 Oct 2027

Start study

15 Nov 2027

Entry requirements Degree and subject requirements

Build public management skills through a 120-point postgraduate qualification that boosts your leadership potential and provides a pathway to a Master’s degree.

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management

1 Year

Pipitea campus, Wellington

Postgraduate

120

Full or part-time

Coursework

Important dates

2026 – Trimester 3

Apply by

12 Nov 2026

Start study

16 Nov 2026

2027 – Trimester 1

Apply by

14 Feb 2027

Start study

22 Feb 2027

2027 – Trimester 2

Apply by

15 Jun 2027

Start study

5 Jul 2027

2027 – Trimester 3

Apply by

10 Oct 2027

Start study

15 Nov 2027

Entry requirements Degree and subject requirements

Enhance your performance as a manager with advanced knowledge of the theory and strategies behind effective public management.

Master of Public Management

1.5 Years

Pipitea campus, Wellington

Postgraduate

180

Full or part-time

Coursework · Daytime

Important dates

2026 – Trimester 3

Apply by

12 Nov 2026

Start study

16 Nov 2026

2027 – Trimester 1

Apply by

14 Feb 2027

Start study

22 Feb 2027

2027 – Trimester 2

Apply by

15 Jun 2027

Start study

5 Jul 2027

2027 – Trimester 3

Apply by

10 Oct 2027

Start study

15 Nov 2027

Entry requirements Degree and subject requirements

Study for a PhD to complete advanced research and make an original contribution to your field.

Doctor of Philosophy

3 years

Kelburn, Pipitea, Te Aro, and Miramar Creative Centre campuses, Wellington

Postgraduate

360

Full or part-time

Research

Important dates

2027 – Trimester 1

Apply by

14 Feb 2027

Start study

22 Feb 2027

2027 – Trimester 2

Apply by

15 Jun 2027

Start study

5 Jul 2027

2027 – Trimester 3

Apply by

10 Oct 2027

Start study

15 Nov 2027

Entry requirements Degree and subject requirements

Why Wellington

Study in Wellington, New Zealand’s public-sector hub. Learn from lecturers and guest speakers who are actively shaping government and non-profit organisations.

Through the School of Government’s strong links with government agencies and public-sector leaders, you’ll gain direct insight into the management and decision-making that shape public policy and service delivery. You’ll also build a valuable professional network with experts at local, regional, and national levels.

Aerial view of tall buildings with harbour in foreground

Future careers

A Public Management qualification can give you a career boost, whether you're already working in the public sector or want to shift your career in this direction.

You could find management work in a range of sectors:

in central, local, or regional government
in businesses or consultancies
in iwi or not-for-profits.

Potential roles

More career information

Find out more about careers in public management.

The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.

What can I do with my degree? Tahatū

Scholarships

You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.

We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.

We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.

Postgraduate scholarships

Scholarships for business and government subjects

There could be a scholarship for your qualification, subject area, background, or situation.

Search all scholarships

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 also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.

We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.

Postgraduate scholarships

Scholarships for business and government subjects

Laurie Cameron Scholarship

Worth: $3,500 (Subject to funds available) Closing: 30 November, 2026

The scholarship will be awarded to a student who is undertaking research at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington on the interactions and relationship between the public and private sectors in the area of policy and management.
Master's Research Scholarship in Management

Worth: The scholarship comprises a $22,000 tax free stipend for one year plus domestic thesis tuition fees. Closing: 1 March, 2027

This scholarship is for a Master's research project on the tensions concerning insurability and climate adaptation in Aotearoa New Zealand, ideally with a particular focus on marae-centred communities.
Nora Bateson Scholarship

Worth: $10000 Closing: 15 June, 2027

The scholarship was established through the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation as a result of a bequest in his will made by Mr Archie Dunningham, former City Librarian at Dunedin Public Library, for a scholarship to be named in honour of Miss Nora Bateson. Nora Bateson was Director of the New Zealand Library School from 1948-1953.

Search all scholarships

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.

Find out more about MAI ki Pōneke

Barbara Allen

Head of School

Academic interests

- Procurement policy/procurement as a socio-economic policy instrument
- Public Sector Performance and performance improvement frameworks
- Global trade agreements (procurement) and institutional architecture of public spending and accountability
- Role of procurement in advancing better government and economic development
- E-Government and Smart Cities
- Mechanisms of implementation – Public-Private Partnerships, Social Impact bonds, Commissioning
- Public services and local government
- Health institutions and transformation

Jonathan Boston

Emeritus Professor

Academic interests

Rose Cole

Lecturer in Public Policy

Academic interests

Valentina Dinica

Associate Professor

Academic interests

Valentina's research spans two interconnected domains. The first concerns the governance and regulation of protected areas and nature-based tourism. It examines how ecological science can inform planning, zoning, concession regulation and sustainability transitions in protected areas. Comparative work covers New Zealand, Tasmania, Hawaiʻi, Spain, polar and island contexts.

The second domain of current interest concerns the governance of emerging biotechnologies. It focuses on the public representation of genome-engineered biotechnologies in New Zealand's public sphere. Key analytical interests include communication quality, actor framings and the implications of these patterns for regulatory design.

Her broader expertise includes:

governance for sustainable development and resilience,
the regulation of tourism businesses and corporate environmental responsibility,
policy options for the diffusion of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies,
governance for climate change mitigation,
circular and bio-based economies, and
the application of the precautionary principle and resilience thinking in public policy and public management.

PhD and Master's inquiries

Valentina welcomes inquiries from prospective PhD candidates with strong interests in either protected area governance and regulation, or the public representation and regulatory governance of emerging biotechnologies. Candidates are encouraged to review her publications before making contact.

Editorial Boards

· Frontiers in Sustainable Tourism – Associate Editor for Ecotourism

· Frontiers in Sustainable Tourism - Review Editor for Behaviors and