Master of Arts specialisation in Pacific Studies

Pacific Studies is a rich interdisciplinary department that aims to develop our students' knowledge and awareness of the history, diversity, and contemporary issues of the Pacific and Pacific people in the diaspora. Students learn about Pacific cultures, identities and experiences as well as explore Pacific histories, health and wellbeing, social anthropology, languages (Samoan, Cook Islands Reo, Tongan), Indigenous epistemologies, dance, and performance.
Whether you’re interested in increasing your understanding of contemporary Pacific experiences, cultural competency, language, history or politics – Pacific Studies has something for you. With lecturers who are leaders in their fields and renowned for their expertise, the courses are world-class.

You can take advanced courses and undertake your own research in areas such as:
- Pacific politics, culture, health, economy, environment, society and history
- Pacific languages, language teaching and linguistics
- Interdisciplinary research and analysis of the Pacific and its peoples
- Pacific indigenous knowledges, expressive and performing arts, and world-views
- Migration, identity and transnational connections across the Pacific and Pacific Rim, especially in New Zealand

Students are taught how to think critically, problem-solve, and develop their written and verbal communication skills and leadership skills within diverse group settings. At the end of their degree, students demonstrate synthesis and evaluation of knowledge, debating ability and consideration of ideas using academic literature and related resources.
These skills have led our alumni to succeed in roles nationally and internationally in government, the public sector, non-governmental organisations, the museum and heritage sector, as well as creative industries.

Master of Arts in Pacific Studies
120-point (one-year) MA
A BA(Hons) or PGDipArts in Pacific Studies with a GPA of 5.0 or higher in that subject.
The following subjects may also be considered for entry: Cook Island Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Dance, Education, Geography, Language Teaching, Music, Translation Studies.

180-point (18-month) MA
A major in Pacific Studies, Anthropology, Art History, Dance, Education, English, Gender Studies, Geography, History, Language Teaching, Linguistics, Māori Studies, Music, Sociology, Translation Studies, or a related subject, with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 75 points above Stage II including at least 45 points in the major.
The following subjects may also be considered for entry: Cook Island Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Dance, Education, Geography, Language Teaching, Music, Translation Studies.