Pacific and Indigenous Studies (2024)

Pacific and Indigenous Studies provides students the opportunity to develop a depth of expertise in Pacific and Indigenous Studies, whilst also enabling expansion of that knowledge within a broader context, by allowing the flexibility for students to complete a range of papers from within the Māori and Indigenous Studies, Arts and Social Science fields, as well as electives from other faculties. The major focuses on concepts such as method, culture, critical thought, sustainability and identity and, thus, will be underpinned by integrity, including ethical standards, self-reflection and the will of graduates to apply such knowledge for the wider benefit of pacific communities in Aotearoa/New Zealand, and other pacific nations.

Pacific and Indigenous Studies has been available as a first major for the Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Climate Change (BCC), and the Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc). Pacific and Indigenous Studies may also be included as a second major or minor in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.

To complete Pacific and Indigenous Studies as a single major for the BA, BCC and the BSocSc, students must gain 135 points from papers listed for Pacific and Indigenous Studies, including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level. Students must complete PACIS100; 15 points from ANTHY102 or HISTY117; MAORI203, PACIS200, 15 points from ANTHY202, HISTY200, LINGS203, MAORI204, MAORI261 or PACIS201, and MAORI303, MAORI304, PACIS300 and 15 points from ANTHY300 or ANTHY308.

To complete Pacific and Indigenous Studies as part of a double major for the BA, BCC, BSocSc or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points from papers listed for Pacific and Indigenous Studies, including 90 points above 100 level, and 45 points above 200 level. Students must include PACIS100, MAORI203, PACIS200, MAORI303 and PACIS300.

To complete a minor in Pacific and Indigenous Studies, students must complete 60 points from the papers listed for the Pacific and Indigenous Studies major, including at least 30 points above 100 level. Students must include PACIS100 and PACIS200.

Note: There will be no new enrolments in the Pacific and Indigenous Studies major or second major in 2024 and onwards. Students enrolled in 2023 or previously should consult the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies for programme advice.

The minor in Pacific and Indigenous Studies will still be available.


On this page


  • Prescriptions for the GradCert(P&ISt) and GradDip(P&ISt)

    A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included Pacific and Indigenous Studies at an advanced level in their first degree.

    For further details, contact the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies.

  • Prescriptions for the PGCert(P&ISt), PGDip(P&ISt), BA(Hons), BSocSc(Hons), MA and MSocSc

    To complete a PGCert(P&ISt), students must complete 60 points at 500 level consisting of 60 points from papers listed in the subject of Pacific and Indigenous Studies.

    To complete a PGDip(P&ISt), students must complete 120 points at 500 level, including PACIS500, and at least a further 60 points from papers listed in the subject of Pacific and Indigenous Studies.

    To complete a BA(Hons) or BSocSc(Hons) in Pacific and Indigenous Studies, students must complete 120 points at 500 level, including PACIS500.

    To complete an MA or MSocSc in Pacific and Indigenous Studies, students must take either; a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis and 30 points from approved 500 level papers, or a 60 point dissertation and 60 points in approved 500 level papers. Students must include PACIS500, unless admitted under section 2(b) of the qualification regulations and completing a 120 point thesis. Students must include MAORI570 unless admitted under section 2(b) of the qualification regulations and completing either a 120 or 90 point thesis.

  • Prescriptions for the MPhil

    The Master of Philosophy is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.

  • 100 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    ANTHY102Exploring Cultures: Aotearoa and the Pacific15.024B (Hamilton)
    Social and cultural change in Aotearoa-New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, with special emphasis on national identities, regional relations and global forces.
    HISTY117Global Indigenous History15.024A (Hamilton)
    Indigenous historians ask critical questions about how we understand the modern world. With a focus on Indigenous peoples' scholarship, activism, and art this paper introduces central concerns in global Indigenous history over the past century. Students will explore histories of sovereignty, land and water protection, decolonial ac...
    MAORI103Introduction to Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies15.024B (Hamilton)
    This course examines Maori, Pacific and Indigenous peoples' philosophies and relationships with land, language, culture, resources, development and political frameworks within settler-colonial states and Pacific nations and others.
    PACIS100Introduction to Pacific Histories, Languages and Cultures15.024A (Hamilton) & 24A (Secondary School - Unistart)
    This paper introduces students to foundational elements of Pacific Studies, including various histories, languages and cultures and their importance to contemporary societies, surveying a number of Pacific Nations.
  • 200 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    GEOGY219Māori Lands and Communities15.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper introduces students to Maori geographical perspectives and examines key events that shape Maori communities and their relationships to land, water and other taonga.
    HISTY200Pacific History15.024B (Hamilton)
    This course introduces students to the history of the Pacific from first settlement through to World War II, focusing on how indigenous peoples and diverse newcomers have engaged with each other and the Pacific's oceanic environment.
    LINGS203Language, Society and Culture15.024B (Hamilton)
    In this paper, we explore cultural diversity through language. We develop understandings of the way that language both reflects, and is used to construct diverse social and cultural identities and practices. We will look at multiple examples of both linguistic and cultural research, as well as learning from our own diverse experien...
    MAORI203Decolonising Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples15.024A (Hamilton)
    The paper looks at the detrimental effects that research has historically had on Indigenous peoples and the relatively recent creation of research methodologies by Indigenous peoples to counteract Imperial research, and to empower and decolonise.
    MAORI204Māori and Pacific Health and Wellbeing15.024A (Hamilton) & 24A (Tauranga)
    This paper looks at health and wellbeing from Maori and Pacific perspectives, including models and frameworks in relation to Health, Sport, Human Performance, and Nursing.
    PACIS200Pacific Migration, Diaspora and Identity15.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper looks at the various socio-historic influences on migration in the Pacific and the relationship between Indigenous cultures of origin and diasporic cultures and identities formed in countries such as Aotearoa/New Zealand, Australia and the US.
  • 300 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    ANTHY300Culture and Power in the Pacific15.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper examines the cultural logics of different systems of political action, leadership and ideology in Pacific Island societies.
    ANTHY308Many Worlds: Melanesian Cultures15.0No occurrences
    This paper introduces students to the anthropological work undertaken within Melanesia and demonstrates its centrality to the discipline as a whole.
    HISTY302Blood, Land, DNA: Contemporary Indigenous Histories and Archives15.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper explores critical questions about power, sovereignty, and belonging in contemporary Indigenous history, focusing on Aotearoa, the Pacific, and North America. Students will work with diverse archival sources to develop independent research questions.
    MAORI303Critical Indigenous Theory15.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper looks at the key theoretical influences, from Marxism to post-structuralism, upon critical Indigenous studies and the most significant writings by those Indigenous scholars who have chosen to engage with critical theory.
    MAORI304Sustainability in Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Contexts15.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper looks at Indigenous epistemological formations of sustainability as one of the most pressing issues for Indigenous peoples particularly in the Pacific, and also as a concept where Indigenous peoples can be prominent in influencing discourses.
    MAORI390Kaupapa Rangahau15.024X (Online)
    A Directed Study is a taught paper that enables suitably qualified undergraduate students to undertake a piece of extended Indigenous Studies research. Students enrolled in this paper work on a focused piece of research under the guidance of academic staff with relevant expertise.
    PACIS300Contemporary Critical Issues in the Pacific15.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper provides an in-depth examination of a number of contemporary critical issues in the Pacific as identified by leading Pacific scholars, writers, artists, auteurs and activists.
  • 500 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    MAORI502Sustainable Resource Issues30.024A (Online)
    This paper examines contemporary issues facing natural resource management among indigenous peoples with a particular focus on the experiences of Maori and Pacific peoples.
    MAORI570Te Mahi Rangahau: Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Research Methods and Issues30.024A (Online)
    This paper introduces students to a range of research issues, helps students identify and apply the most effective methodology, understand, review and apply various research methods including kaupapa Maori and indigenous epistemologies.
    MAORI571Decolonising Theory and Indigenous Studies30.024B (Online)
    A seminar programme on indigenous consciousness, knowledge, values and ethics and their applications to contemporary issues such as research ethics, environmental values and cultural practices.
    PACIS500Critical Pacific Studies30.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper provides an opportunity to critically engage the foundational ideas, texts, theoretical work, methods and perspectives of Pacific studies. These will be considered in the light of the history, politics, tensions, and potential of Pacific studies as a discipline.
    PACIS590Pacific and Indigenous Studies Directed Study30.024X (Hamilton)
    Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff.
    PACIS594Pacific and Indigenous Studies Masters Thesis120.024X (Hamilton)
    An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
  • 800 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    MAORI800FMIS MPhil Thesis120.024X (Hamilton)
    No description available.
  • 900 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    MAORI900FMIS PhD Thesis120.024I (Hamilton), 24J (Hamilton), 24K (Hamilton) & 24X (Hamilton)
    No description available.
    MAORI901FMIS Creative Practice Thesis120.024I (Hamilton), 24J (Hamilton), 24K (Hamilton) & 24X (Hamilton)
    No description available.

2024 Catalogue of Papers information current as of : 12 March 2024 7:59pm

This page has been reformatted for printing.