Population Health (2024)

Poutū-manahau Population Health uses a multidisciplinary approach to understanding hauora as practice, and to examine approaches that contribute to a health system which can revitalise the mana of our communities. Poutū-manahau Population Health embraces integrative knowledge of theories and analytical approaches (across psychology, health communication and engagement, sociology, economics, epidemiology, and Māori and indigenous studies) to understand, critique and design health initiatives, policies, practices, interventions and their outcomes.

Poutū-manahau Population Health is available as a specified programme for the Bachelor of Health (BHealth). To complete the specified programme in Poutū-manahau Population Health, students must take the following programme - listed under Year 1, 2 and 3.

Poutū-manahau Population Health is also available as a subject in the Certificate in Health and Wellbeing. To complete the Certificate in Health and Wellbeing in Poutū-manahau Population Health, students must complete the papers listed under Year 1 of the Poutū-manahau Population Health specified programme.

Note: There will be no new enrolments in the Poutū-manahau Population Health specified programme which will now be a Health Promotion major. Students enrolled in 2023 or previously in the Poutū-manahau Population Health specified programme should consult the Division of Health, Engineering, Computing and Science for programme advice. Please refer to the Health Promotion subject for further information.


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  • Year 1

    Students must take the following papers: BIOMD101, CSMAX101, HELTH101, either MAORI101 or MAORI102 or MAORI111, MAORI150, PSYCH101, SOCPY100, and a 15 point 100-level programme elective from the list below.

    Electives: CHEMY100, CHEMY101, CHEMY102, ECONS102, ENVPL100, ENVSC101, HMDEV100, MAORI102, MAORI103, MAORI112, PACIS100 and STMGT101.

  • Year 2

    Students must take the following papers: CMYHE201, GEOGY209, HELTH201, HELTH202, MAORI204, POPST201, PUBRL202, and a 15 point 200-level programme elective from the list below.

    Electives: BIOMO201, BIOMO202, BIOMO203, BIOMO204, BUSAN205, CHEMY201, CHEMY202, CHEMY203, CHEMY204, CMYHE202, ENVPL200, ENVPL201, ENVSC201, ENVSC202, HMDEV202, HMDEV240, HRMGT202, LCOMM202, MAORI200, MAORI202, MAORI203, MAORI211, MAORI212, MAORI222, MAORI250, PACIS200, PHILO225, PSYCH202, SOCPY200 and SOCPY201.

  • Year 3

    Students must take the following papers: HELTH302 or HECSS363, HELTH303, LEGAL300, either MAORI302 or SCIEN305, POPST302, SOCPY301, and 30 points of 300-level programme electives from the list below.

    Electives: BIOMO301, BIOMO302, BIOMO304, CHEMY301, CHEMY302, CHEMY303, CHEMY304, CMYHE301, CMYHE302, ECONS302, HMDEV340, HRMGT303, HRMGT304, LCOMM302, MAORI303, MAORI304, MAORI311, MAORI312, PACIS300 and PUBRL301.

  • 100 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    BIOMD101Introduction to Human Biology - Tinana Tangata Koiora15.024A (Hamilton) & 24A (Tauranga)
    This paper will introduce the student to the basics of human anatomy and physiology. He whakataki tenei pepa i te hunga tauira ki nga tuapapa o te matai tinana me te matai whaiaroaro o te ira tangata.
    CSMAX101The World of Data15.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper introduces students to tools used in analysing datasets, focusing on health science applications and publicly available data on New Zealand. Students will learn how to use these tools to generate the appropriate results and be able to critically evaluate results presented in the media as well as scientific articles. Stud...
    MAORI101Introduction to Conversational Māori for Absolute Beginners15.024A (Hamilton) & 24B (Hamilton)
    For absolute beginner students, this introductory paper to conversational Maori pays particular attention to pronunciation, greetings, and forms of language associated with certain cultural functions, such as mihimihi, as well as tasks such as thanking people, farewelling, communicating personal information, and naming everyday obj...
    MAORI102He Hīnatore ki te Ao Māori: Introducing the Māori World15.024A (Hamilton), 24B (Hamilton) & 24G (Online)
    An introduction to the Maori world view, social organisation, cultural concepts, including Maori astronomy, and their relevance in a contemporary society.
    MAORI111Te Reo Māori: Introductory 115.024A (Hamilton), 24X (Hamilton) & 24X (Tauranga)
    An introductory paper for students with little or no knowledge of the Maori language which provides basic everyday language such as: greetings, farewells, focusing on family relationships, numbers, time, shopping, talking about a trip and commands.
    MAORI150Te Tiriti o Waitangi: An Introduction to the Treaty of Waitangi15.024A (Hamilton), 24B (Hamilton) & 24X (Hamilton)
    This paper seeks to provide a sound understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It reviews historical and contemporary interpretations and takes into account the interplay of contextual issues of the time.
    PSYCH101Social Psychology, Health and Well-being15.024B (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga)
    This paper will introduce major issues in psychology particularly as they relate to health, wellbeing, mental illness, forensic psychology, lifespan development, and social factors in a range of contexts.
    SOCPY100Introduction to Social Policy15.024A (Hamilton) & 24A (Tauranga)
    This paper examines the values behind social policy and introduces students to some of the important issues and debates in New Zealand and other democratic societies.
  • 200 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    CMYHE201Healthy Lifestyles and Healthy Communities15.024B (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga)
    This paper aims to develop understanding of sociological analyses and critiques of health promotion and to develop comprehension of the relationship between practice and the wider cultural, environmental, political, and social contexts in which health promotion occurs.
    GEOGY209Health, People, Place0.024B (Online)
    This paper draws on critical analysis of health, people and place to introduce contemporary developments in socio-cultural geography. Attention is paid to spatial well-being at a range of scales.
    HELTH201Epidemiology and Bio-statistics15.024B (Hamilton)
    This course provides students with basic understanding of the techniques and uses of epidemiology in preventing poor health, health planning and evaluation.
    HELTH202History and Politics of Health15.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper explains how health services in New Zealand evolved with particular reference to the impact on Maori and Pacific health.
    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.
    POPST201Population Studies15.024A (Hamilton) & 24A (Online)
    This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the multidisciplinary field of Population Studies. Students will develop a sound understanding of the demographic drivers of population change and composition, while exploring some of the rich theories and methodological approaches which comprise Population Studies.
    PUBRL202Health Communication15.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper explores the construction and evaluation of communication campaigns to address health issues in communities and organisations. The campaigns use communication theory to design persuasive and innovative health campaigns.
  • 300 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    HELTH302Industry and Community Engagement in Health15.0No occurrences
    This paper fulfils The University of Waikato's requirement for all students to engage with the wider community in a work-related or applied project setting. This paper provides opportunities for professional and personal development within varied work-related settings relevant to the fields of health. This paper is designed for students in the Poutu-manahau Population Health specified programme of the BHealth degree.
    HELTH303Health Funding Systems and Management15.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper will investigate how health care is funded and managed in New Zealand with reference to the organisation of health services in other countries in the Pacific and around the world.
    MAORI302Mātauranga Māori, Indigenous Knowledges15.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper looks at the influence and forms that Matauranga Maori has had and has taken in various postcolonial formations, including in science and research, education, policy and social reform.
    POPST302Exploring Population Change15.024B (Hamilton) & 24B (Online)
    This paper applies methods for measuring population size, composition and change, which are used extensively for understanding population issues in public policy, human resource planning, forecasting and business planning.
    SOCPY301Health, Wellbeing and Policy15.024A (Hamilton), 24A (Online) & 24A (Tauranga)
    This paper provides a critical introduction to key issues in the formation of health policy at both a national and international level.

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

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