Introduction to New Zealand Politics and Policy

How are decisions made in New Zealand? Who has how much power in this process? How can citizens, businesses, iwi, and a diverse range of groups have a say? This course is an introduction to New Zealand politics and public policy. The course examines the core features of New Zealand’s political landscape: The constitution, how MMP works, the roles of leaders, cabinet and parliament, and then explores issues that matter to the public, and asks how citizens can participate in politics, what role powerful groups including the media play in decision making and how new, diverse voices can be heard, including your own. The course includes a field day working in local communities learning about leadership and public attitudes.

15 points

Te Wero - Maori Health Issues and Opportunities

This course introduces students to a selection of historical and contemporary Maori health content within a Treaty of Waitangi framework, to support robust analyses of Maori population health issues. Exploring what Maori health was and is, students will be challenged to consider the promise of Maori health and its significance for current and future Aotearoa New Zealand.

15 points

Te Ara o Tawhaki: Maori Thought, Beliefs and Practices

This course provides an introduction to Maori knowledges and metaphysics through a study of topics such as voyaging, art and aesthetics, warfare, conflict and peace. We also look at how approaches to Maori knowledges and their impacts are critiqued.

15 points

PACS102

Pacific Peoples and Societies

This course provides a rich foundation of the history, diversity, and contemporary issues of the Pacific, including diasporic Pacific communities. Students will learn about Pacific Indigenous worldviews, cultures, knowledges, identities and experiences. Students will also explore the structures of Pacific societies and how these are evolving with changes in the modern world. Pacific agency, the transnationalism of Pacific identity and contemporary issues of climate change, sustainability and innovation are themes that run through the course as are the concepts of inclusion, diversity, empowerment, and positive transformation.

15 points

Tuakiri : Culture and Identity

What does it mean to live in Aotearoa/New Zealand in the 21st century? This course examines identity as a lived experience for Maori and non-Maori and how it shapes our thinking at individual, organisation and systemic levels in this country. The course also focusses on contemporary issues arising from identity tensions, enabling students to apply insights to effect positive social change in order to work effectively in a bicultural manner.

15 points