Course details

Summary

With a Master of Laws in Maori/Pacific and Indigenous Peoples' Law you could explore Pacific legal thought and practice. You'll develop skills enabling you to participate actively in the development of Pacific jurisprudence and to enhance global understanding of Pacific legal systems.

Master of Laws in 毛利/Pacific and Indigenous Peoples' Law (LLM 毛利/Pacific and Indigenous Peoples') provides an opportunity to study in-depth the historical and developing trends within the area of indigenous peoples' rights.

You'll examine how the United Nations and other international organisations influence the process of Indigenous rights development. You will learn what role the State plays in recognising environmental and economic rights of indigenous peoples.

What will post-settlement New Zealand legal landscape look like? You could be the driving force behind developing truly inclusive New Zealand Jurisprudence that would incorporate the best of the traditional 毛利 practices and Common Law.

The knowledge and skills developed through our specialist programme are relevant in roles in:

• Academic teaching and research;
• Treaty settlement
• Maori governance
• Crown Law
• Local and central government
• Education
• 毛利 economy

The Master of Laws in 毛利/Pacific and Indigenous Peoples’ Law programme is offered with the same study options as those of Master of Laws (LLM).

Entry criteria

To be accepted to the Master of Laws programme, you need to have:

• Completed an LLB or a combined Law degree at the University of Waikato with at least a 'B' grade point average or an equivalent qualification at another university; or
• Completed an LLB (Hons) at the University of Waikato with at least a 'B' grade point average or a combined Law degree at the University of Waikato or an equivalent qualification at another university; or
• Satisfied the prerequisites for graduate study in the subject at a level that is considered appropriate by the Academic Board.

In exceptional circumstances, candidates who do not meet these requirements, but who have proven record of academic merit and relevant experience may be accepted into the programme.

English language requirements:

IELTS - 6.5 overall (no less than 6.0 in writing); iBT (internet based TOFEL) - 90 with a score of 22 in writing; Pearson PTE Academic- 65 with English language requirements no less than 58 for each communicative skill; From Waikato Pathways College - Successful completion of Level 8 with a B grade average in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic (CAAE) programme.