Course details

Summary

As New Zealand seeks to become even more of a globally respected nation with solid social and political foundations, the need to revitalise and embrace te reo Maori as a living, everyday language is becoming even more important for people of all walks of life.

This discipline enables people to explore their identity as New Zealanders and to pass on their passion for this language of Aotearoa to others. Te Reo Maori is a highly recommended language option for those who might work with Maori people, indigenous industries or in education, public or communications roles that require bicultural and multicultural competency.

Students majoring in other subject areas such as History, Sociology, Political Science and International Relations, Human Services, English, Education, Cultural Studies, Law and Social Work often take Maori language courses to support their main field of study.

The Master of Arts (MA) degree consists of coursework followed by a thesis. It provides the opportunity to make a contribution to knowledge while also demonstrating understanding of the principles of research.

Qualification structure and duration

The Master of Arts degree consists of two parts:

Part I: Coursework

Part II: A thesis.

Honours may be awarded if the student completes within the timeframe indicated by the schedule. Distinction or Merit may be awarded if the student completes an MA by thesis-only in the timeframe indicated by the schedule and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours.

Further study

Doctor of Philosophy

Maori is a very rewarding field for postgraduate study because there are so many opportunities to investigate areas which have not been previously researched.

Career opportunities

Careers are opening up as a result of the increasing role of Maori culture and society as a defining element of national culture. New Zealand will see this continue in the future, as a result of changing demographics, government policy, and social attitudes.

Whether you need it for a career in health, education, policy, government, law, tourism or social services, the confidence and skills from a language degree can help you step up to the next level in your career.

Employment options for graduates are rapidly increasing in iwi and other Maori organisations. Graduates find work in research, teaching, archival, heritage and arts/cultural organisations, government organisations and the wider community.

Entry criteria

Normally the minimum requirement is a three-year bachelor's degree from a New Zealand university, or a qualification or combination of qualifications considered to be equivalent. If you gained your qualifications overseas, these will need to be assessed to make sure they are of an equivalent standard.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 575 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum B+ grade; CAE or CPE score of 176 with a minimum of 169 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 64 and no PTE communicative skills score below 58.