This course examines contemporary issues Māori face as tangata whenua in a national sense and as Indigenous peoples in a global sense. Drawing on a critical Indigenous studies approach this course will look at issues pertaining to various aspects of Māori society, culture, politics and identity. This course addresses social and environmental justice issues for Māori and Indigenous communities marked particularly by the intergenerational transfer of social inequalities. Negative social indicators must be attended to, but teaching and research practices should not normalise them. Instead, we should seek culturally sound, evidence-informed engagement and solutions. This involves recognition of the strengths, aspirations and knowledge that resides within communities. Working with and learning from communities in order to ensure critical, ethical, high quality research practice is important. Students will be encouraged to develop an appreciation of contemporary trends, issues and opportunities in Māori culture and society, and an understanding of theories and methodologies that explore the Māori world through an Indigenous framework.