Master of Indigenous Studies (MIS)

Advance Indigenous knowledge. Lead with purpose.

Master of Indigenous Studies

Advance Indigenous Knowledge. Empower Global Communities.

Deepen Your Understanding of Māori and Indigenous Worldviews

Take your understanding to an advanced level with the Master of Indigenous Studies.

The Master of Indigenous Studies at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi is a transformative postgraduate qualification that empowers students to engage deeply with Indigenous worldviews, Indigenous knowledge systems and decolonising practice for application in today’s world.

This programme offers the opportunity to explore Indigenous philosophies and methodologies from Aotearoa and beyond and is ideal for educators, researchers, community leaders, and professionals committed to Indigenous advancement and scholarship.

With delivery grounded in kaupapa Māori values, students are encouraged to build their capabilities to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

Why Study the Master of Indigenous Studies?

Māori and Indigenous Knowledge at the Core
Explore Māori and Indigenous knowledge systems with the opportunity to engage with other First Nations perspectives delivered in a supportive kaupapa Māori learning environment.

Postgraduate-Level Depth
Gain advanced skills in Indigenous theory, critical research, and cultural development. Expand your understanding and prepare for doctoral study

Advance Your Career
Elevate your work in education, policy, iwi development, research, community outreach or cultural revitalisation efforts.

Flexible Delivery
Blended delivery model where you can study through a mix of online learning, in-person wānanga, and independent research with busy professional lives and whānau in mind.

Make Real-World Impact
Create research that supports Indigenous self-determination, revitalisation, and community development across Aotearoa and the world.

What you’ll learn in the Master of Indigenous Studies:

Comparative Indigenous knowledge systems and worldviews
Māori and Indigenous development
Indigenous research methodologies and ethical frameworks
Mātauranga Māori and practice
Application of Indigenous knowledge with research or projects
Environmental and cultural sustainability

Who should apply?

People who work or aspire to work in education, policy, Māori or Indigenous development, or cultural advisory roles
Those who have completed a bachelor’s degree or a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Mātauranga Māori and Indigenous Studies
Those who have completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Māori Performing Arts
Those passionate about Māori advancement and Indigenous knowledge systems
People who work in government or an NGO (National Govt Orgs) and are engaged in Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnerships

Students may pathway into the Master’s degree. Please contact us to find out more.

Pathways to Master's and Doctoral Studies

Dates

Sem 1: 02 Feb to 28 Jun 2026, Sem 2: 06 Jul to 07 Dec 2026, Full-year offerings: 02 Feb to 07 Dec 2026

Click this link for more info

Duration

40 weeks per year, 20 weeks per semester

Commitment

Blended learning including noho marae/wānanga, online learning and self-directed learning

Commitment Required for Masters

Applications close

Sem 1: Feb 2026, Sem 2: Jun 2026

Locations

Noho are delivered in Whakatāne

Requirements

View link for entry requirements

Entry Requirements

Pathway to

View link for details

Pathways

Fees

2026 Tuition fees: $1800.00 (per paper or research project), $3604.00 (Dissertation), $4379.00 (Thesis). Note fees are updated annually

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Semester 1 Courses 2026

REO803 Tā Te Māori Rangahau Kōrero (30 credits)

Course Type: Core - Te Reo Māori Thesis writers

Description: Ko te ngako o te kaupapa nei he wānanga i ngā tūāhuatanga o te rangahau mō te hunga kei te tuhituhi ki te reo Māori, kei te whai hoki i te tirohanga Māori. Ka āta tirohia te āhua o ngā putunga rangahau a te Māori, mō te Māori anō, i tuhia ki te reo Māori, i whāi rānei i ngā tikanga a te Māori hei huarahi rangahau mā rātou e mārama ai te āhua o tā te Māori tāna rangahau kōrero. Ko te tikanga ia he āta wānanga i ngā whare kōrero, i ngā marae kōrero, i ngā pātaka kōrero o te Māori, ngā āhuatanga i kīia ai te Māori he iwi whai tikanga, he kawa anō ōna hei āhuatanga rangahau māna. Ka mutu ko te reo Māori te tāhuhu o te kaupapa nei. Māna e kōkiri, māna anō e hua ai te ora o te mātauranga, o te wānanga, o te rangahau ki te whai ao, ki te ao mārama. Me mōhio ki te kōrero me te tuhituhi i roto i te reo Māori.

IHI803 Research Methods and Methodologies (30 credits)

Course Type: Core - Thesis Writers

Description: This paper will prepare students for the research component of their degree. Students will become aware of a range of ethical considerations informing future projects of research they may undertake and will develop familiarity with associated research terminology. Students complete a research proposal and ethics application in this course.

MAO820 Te Whakarauora (30 credits)

Course Type:  Elective

Description: The purpose of this paper is to provide in te reo Māori an interpretation, analysis, an examination of the highly ornate oral and written literature contained in the ceremonial performance of karanga and whaikōrero. Within the performance of karanga and whaikōrero other ritualised narratives such as poroporoaki (farewell calls), whenua (land) combined with ā-whanau, ā-hapū, ā-iwi experience come to the fore.

Students will study these narratives in te reo Māori to support the growth of reo knowledge scholarship based on historical sources connected to this paper. This paper also aims to improve the student’s ability to use these cultural forms. The oral performance of karanga, whaikōrero and poroporoaki keep alive the poetic art form which emphasises the connection that resonates with the human voice and the speech patterns employed. The transmission of this type of knowledge base supports and sustains the teaching and learning aspects of karanga, whaikōrero and
poroporoaki on Mātaatua marae and other marae across the country. This paper will provide a compilation of narratives; oral and written literature relevant to our reo communities to support and sustain marae protocols and processes. Graduate students will be encouraged to bring together their own knowledge sources – ā-whānau, ā-hapū and ā-iwi.

Students enrolling in this course should note that a high degree of Māori language proficiency is essential to succeed. Students must be able to operate successfully in an immersion Māori learning and teaching environment and are expected to submit assignments in te reo Māori.

MAO822 Te Reo O Te Mōteatea (30 credits)

Course Type:  Elective

Description: The core subject of this paper is mōteatea. Mōteatea will be examined in the reo and english in terms of its analysis, interpretation, inquiry of advanced Māori oral and written literature relevant to Mātaatua Waka; whānau, hapū and iwi-marae wānanga-mōteatea. Traditional and contemporary mōteatea contains insightful poetic commentaries, philosophies, values, biographies, prophetic identities, quotes, biblical passages, historical literature that explain complex views on a range of important and endure knowledge issues. Tauira will be expected to research, compile and present whānau, hapū and iwi mōteatea oral and written literature in written form and seminar presentation outlines to support mōteatea revitalisation aspirations.

IHI808 Kaitiakitanga (30 credits)

Course Type: Elective

Description: This paper examines the concept of Kaitiakitanga as it relates to Māori Resource Management. The course is grounded within Māori Knowledge systems and philosophies of knowing and understanding from a Māori world-view. This world-view is based on Mātauranga and Kaupapa Māori principles and values and validated through Āhuatanga Māori cultural performance indicators. The paper provides a critique relating to the relativity of traditional and contemporary concepts of Kaitiakitanga particularly as it relates to Māori people and their resources and contemporary practices. Central to these concepts is the provision of a sustainable management practice that integrates ‘mana’ tapu’ ‘mauri’ and ‘rāhui’ into a sustainable and measurable management practice within contemporary environments.

This paper is specifically designed to enable graduates to immediately apply what they have learnt to their work, place, whānau, hapu and iwi Māori resource policies and practices. Moreover, graduates will also be able to effectively engage and inform Crown agencies on ‘Mātauranga/Kaupapa Māori’ driven best practice approaches for managing resources in a range of contexts.

MIB810 Advanced Māori/Indigenous Economic Development (30 credits)

Course Type: Elective

Description: In this paper, students will gain an understanding of the complexities of balancing competing or complementary economic influences facing Māori and indigenous communities. More specifically it will examine traditional and contemporary notions of economic development, as well as relevant theory, and its application in Māori and indigenous contexts. Furthermore, this paper will provide students with theoretical frameworks and futures-oriented solutions, which will enable them to develop, apply and implement economic development models within Māori and indigenous settings.

IHI812 Mana Wāhine Leadership (30 credits)

Course Type: Elective

Description: Students in this paper will undertake research where Māori women’s leadership contributes to Māori and Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination. Mana Wāhine underpins Māori women’s leadership theories, principles and practices. ‘Herstories’ are used to examine Māori women’s discourses of mātauranga wāhine, tikanga Māori, the politics of difference and diverse realities that affirm Mana Wāhine leadership.

Semester 2 Courses 2026

REO803 Tā Te Māori Rangahau Kōrero (30 credits)

Course Type: Core - Te Reo Māori Thesis writers

IHI803 Research Methodologies and Methods (30 credits)

Course Type: Core - Thesis Writers

IHI813 Contemporary Māori/Indigenous Policy Development (30 credits)

Course Type: Elective

Description: This paper will critically examine and critique the conceptual frameworks and applications of policy development across a range of settings and experiences as it relates to Māori and or Indigenous advancement. Understanding power relationships and best practice engagement in terms of consultation and meaningful collaborative partnership policy applications is critiqued and explored for wider understanding and application. Central to this paper is the interrogation of the policy cycle and the comparative analysis between Western and Indigenous/Māori systems and practices. Consideration is given to developing a Policy/Kawa that integrates Māori world views, principles (Mātāpono) Mātātika, (ethical practices) as part of the core design, implementation and evaluation processes.

IHI806 Selected Topics (30 credits)

Course Type: Elective

Description: This course enables students to study in-depth selected topics from the field of Indigenous Studies or Māori Studies through a programme of readings, seminars and directed research. Students will be supervised by a lecturer in whose area they are studying. The student will produce a research-based project as part of their assessment.

MAO815 Advanced Study of Mātauranga Māori (30 credits)

Course Type:  Elective

Description: This course incorporates the notion of knowledge in its broadest sense, as it is associated with the many cultures of Māori/Indigenous communities, past and present. Research and analysis will be centred on defining the concept of the term Mātauranga Māori and the examination of its characteristics with emphasis on changes in perception over time.

AKO806 Educational Leadership (30 credits)

Course Type:  Elective

Description: The development of Māori and Indigenous educational leadership perspectives is only just beginning to emerge in Aotearoa New Zealand which presents an opportunity for students to make an original contribution to this inspiring field. Therefore, it is important for students to start by exploring the complex
dimensions and aspirations of educational leadership from a range of historical, current and future positions.

The course will also focus on leadership approaches that can be applied within an educational environment that incorporates Māori world views, Māori knowledge, Kaupapa Māori and Mātauranga Māori and/or other Indigenous world views and knowledge.

Full Year Offerings

Thesis (120 credits)

The thesis embodies an investigation relating to a topic identified by the student. Choose the discipline that relates to your topic:

IND800 - Indigenous
MAO800 - Māori
AKO800 - Education
MPA800 - Māori Performing Arts
MIB800 - Māori/Indigenous Business
TAI800 - Environment
TOI800- Creative Arts
ORA800 - Health Studies

IHI801 Research Project (30 credits)

Course Type: Elective

Description: The research project embodies the results obtained by a candidate in an investigation relating to some part of the subject of specialisation as outlined in the student's research proposal and as supervised by the Supervisor. The research project will entail a literature review, research methodology/methods and results of a research investigation. The research project shall not normally exceed 10,000 words.

IHI802 Dissertation (60 credits)

Course Type: Elective

Description: The dissertation embodies the results obtained by a candidate in an investigation relating to some part of the subject of specialisation as outlined in the student's research proposal and as supervised by the Supervisor. The dissertation contains a thorough literature review, research methodology/methods and results of an extended research investigation. It usually doesn't exceed 20,000 words.

IHI805 Special Topic (30 credits)*

Course Type: Elective

Description: This course allows for a special area of study to be offered by a visiting lecturer or invited lecturer with a strong background in a given area of academic study. The lecturers for this course will be suitably qualified to the level of Masters. The offering of this option will depend on the availability of visiting lecturers. The visiting lecturer will develop a course outline directly related to their academic area of expertise in consultation with a designated representation of Graduate studies staff. Consideration also will be given to areas of valid demand identified among Masters students. This paper is a flexible course drawing on the experience and knowledge base of a recognised lecturer.

The special interest kaupapa for 2026 is research as a political activity for Indigenous researchers.

IHI806 Selected Topics (30 credits)

Course Type: Elective

* Indicates students can choose to enrol in this paper as a single semester course full-time, or as a double semester course part-time.

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Postgraduate Pathways

Doctor of Philosophy

Doctoral Degrees are the highest supervised degree offered by Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi. The PhD is awarded for a thesis that demonstrates a candidate’s ability to carry out independent research and analysis at an advanced level of study in a particular discipline and/or field.

Doctor of Indigenous Development and Advancement IDA

The Doctor of Indigenous Development and Advancement (IDA) at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi is a doctoral qualification designed for those with professional experience who are committed to advancing indigenous aspirations through research.

Postgraduate Diploma in Mātauranga Māori and Indigenous Studies

Develop skills and knowledge in Māori and Indigenous studies at a postgraduate level with pathways to Masters degrees.

Postgraduate Certificate in Mātauranga Māori and Indigenous Studies

Develop skills and knowledge in Māori and Indigenous studies at a postgraduate level with pathways to Masters degrees.

Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Mental Health and Addiction Counselling

The Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Mental Health and Addiction Counselling (Level 8) is a new and innovative programme designed to support the development of the mental health workforce within whānau, hapū and iwi, and other communities and industries.

Postgraduate Diploma in Māori Performing Arts

An opportunity for undergraduates with Māori performing competencies and emergent research to a pathway of applied studies at postgraduate level

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Ngā tauira o Awanuiārangi

Here from graduates of our Masters programmes

Te Moanaroa Ngatoko: Master of Indigenous Studies Graduate

My pathway in tertiary study has been travelled with a group of mates working in health, education and social services.

Te Reinga Chase Master of Indigenous Studies Graduate

My Ngai Tai connection comes back to Ngāti Pūkeko and Ngāti Awa. A lot of our whānau were passing away from cancers. Our whānau knew this was directly linked to chemicals in the whenua from the Whakatāne sawmills.

Henare (Hori) Ahomiro Master of Indigenous Studies Graduate

My Masters research was centred on reviewing family/whānau inclusion in mental health and addictions services.

Tomo mai ki Awanuiārangi

Experience Awanuiārangi

School of Indigenous Graduate Studies

The School of Indigenous Graduate Studies is focused on quality teaching, research priorities and graduate programmes, masters and doctoral degrees.

Wānanga learning style

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi delivers programmes that are distinctive in many ways. We are unique in the tertiary sector of New Zealand, as we are the only wānanga that delivers programmes from foundation through to PhD.

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