Postgraduate Certificate

Deepen your understanding.  Explore the wisdom of Te Ao Māori and indigenous worldviews.

Study mātauranga Māori and indigenous thought at postgraduate level

Are you passionate about indigenous knowledge, cultural revitalisation, or decolonising education? The Postgraduate Certificate in Mātauranga Māori and Indigenous Studies at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi offers you a unique opportunity to explore advanced indigenous scholarship grounded in kaupapa Māori values.

This postgraduate programme develops your critical understanding of mātauranga Māori and indigenous knowledge systems, preparing you to lead, research, and advocate across areas such as education, policy, oral and written literature, economic development, iwi/tribal development, and community spaces.

Whether you’re an educator, researcher, or wish to support your communities, this qualification supports your personal, professional, and cultural growth — and can serve as a pathway into further postgraduate study.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Mātauranga Māori and Indigenous Studies at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi is a powerful opportunity to engage with the depth, richness, and relevance of Māori and Indigenous knowledge systems in today’s world.

Why study the Postgraduate Certificate in Mātauranga Māori and Indigenous Studies?

Culturally Grounded Learning    
Explore mātauranga Māori in an empowering learning environment that values tikanga, and te reo alongside global indigenous philosophies and knowledge systems. Learn through a kaupapa Māori lens.

Advance Your Career and Study Pathway
Gain a respected Level 8 qualification to enhance your impact in iwi organisations, education, economic development, policy, research and many other related fields. It can also support your transition into a Postgraduate Diploma or Master’s level study.

Flexible, Blended Delivery
Study through a mix of online learning, in-person wānanga, and guided independent study — ideal for professionals, busy whānau, and lifelong learners.

Tackle Real-World Issues
Engage in critical conversations about issues of today, whether in local or global contexts as relevant to you.

• What you’ll learn in the Postgraduate Certificate in Mātauranga Māori and Indigenous Studies:
• Foundations and development of mātauranga Māori
• Indigenous knowledge in a traditional and contemporary contexts
• Decolonisation and identity
• Comparative indigenous perspectives (Aotearoa and beyond)
• Kaupapa Māori research and ethics
• Language and cultural revitalisation

• Who should apply?
• People who work or aspire to work in education, policy, iwi development, or cultural advisory roles
• Those who have completed a bachelor’s degree and want to make a start to a postgraduate qualification
• Those passionate about indigenous and Māori research, language, or cultural identity
• Want to advance their leadership in Māori and indigenous contexts