200-level

PACS211
The Transnational Pacific
Description
This course explores the contemporary Pacific with a special focus on the dynamic and complex interplay of its cultures, identities, and economies. Students will use the lens of transnationalism, to examine the historical and contemporary movement of people, ideas, and resources across the Pacific Ocean, and reflect on how these flows have shaped societies locally, regionally, and globally. Students will engage with themes such as power relations, decolonisation, migration, diaspora, gender, art, sport, cultural hybridity, security, racism, the impacts of climate change, the digital Pacific, and future thinking. Through interdisciplinary readings, case studies, and critical discussions, this course offers a comprehensive understanding of the Pacific peoples’ resilience and innovation in the face of global challenges. Embedded in the course are the perspectives of several community, national, and regional leaders whose expertise will be sought to speak on the course themes.
Occurrences
Semester One 2026
Semester One 2026 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 45 points at 100-level
MAOR214
Te Ao Marama: Maori Thought
Description
The paper explores key aspects of Maori thought, philosophies and ideas through Maori history and culture. Topics include: oral traditions and iwi traditions, tikanga, customs and social life, whakaaro rapunga, philosophies and Maori thought leaders, gender and sexuality, identity and Maori art and writing, conservation, natural lore of land, ocean, taniwha, kaitiakitanga and resource management.
Occurrences
Summer Jan 2026 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from HIST, MAOR, or TREO, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
Restrictions
HIST259
MAOR219
Te Tiriti: The Treaty of Waitangi
Description
This course uses the Treaty of Waitangi to frame examinations of contemporary New Zealand society. We ask questions designed to highlight and emphasise the relevance of the Treaty of Waitangi to everyday New Zealanders. In addition, the course looks at the importance of this document in the maintenance of Crown and Maori relations. Topics covered range from the signing of the Treaty, and historical developments, to the protest movements and activism of the continuing Maori renaissance period, race relations and one law-for-all.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from CULT, HIST, HSRV, MAOR, POLS, SOCI, SOWK, or TREO, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
Restrictions
POLS218, POLS258, HIST268, SOCI209, HSRV207, CULT219
PACS221
Pacific Sustainability and Climate Resilience
Description
This course examines some of the ways in which community-based indigenous innovation has been used to build up strategies of adaptation and resilience in the Pacific’s oceanic communities. The course offers a critique of the deficit narratives that often characterise Pacific peoples as inherently susceptible to failure, and instead frames sustainability, resilience, and innovation as core features of Pacific peoples’ knowledge and practice for the millennia that they have occupied the Pacific Ocean - the largest single geographical space on the planet. The course acknowledges the rich histories of Pacific communities’ resourcefulness in adapting to environmental pressures and changes. It also explores such aspects of sustainability and resilience as adaptive social organization, coastal management, environmental restoration, food security, adapted building and architecture, and sustainable farming, and reviews how these are used to combat unsustainable economic practices, as well as rising sea levels, extreme weather systems, and other calamities brought about by human induced climate change. Several themes run through the course including the politics and economics of climate change, climate finance, mobility, food sovereignty, health and wellbeing, cultural safe-guarding and transformation, and socio-ecological justice. The course also reflects on the ways that indigenous knowledge, humanities, science and technology can work together to respond to the climate crisis and other natural and human created challenges in the Pacific.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2026
Semester Two 2026 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 45 points at 100-level
HLTH270
Te Ao Hauora Tangata: Maori Health Perspectives
Description
A study of Maori health perspectives examining the current trends, issues, and challenges underpinning contemporary Maori health. The course draws from the experiences of Maori health practitioners, including those from Ngai Tahu and Maata Waka. Please note that this is an on-campus paper, which includes in-depth classroom discussion and debate on Maori health topics. There is also a group assessment and kanohi ki te kanohi (face-to-face) presentation.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from HLTH, MAOR, or TREO
HIST283
Ethnicity, Racism and Genocide
Description
This course provides a critical introduction to the historical and anthropological study of ethnicity, racism, genocide and migration.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level in HIST, ANTH, MAOR, PACS, or SOCI, or CLAS120, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
Restrictions
ANTH223, MAOR230, PACS204, SOCI223

Not Offered Courses in 2026

200-level

MAOR214
Te Ao Marama: Maori Thought
Description
The paper explores key aspects of Maori thought, philosophies and ideas through Maori history and culture. Topics include: oral traditions and iwi traditions, tikanga, customs and social life, whakaaro rapunga, philosophies and Maori thought leaders, gender and sexuality, identity and Maori art and writing, conservation, natural lore of land, ocean, taniwha, kaitiakitanga and resource management.
Occurrences
MAOR214-26SU1 (C)
Summer Jan 2026 - Not offered
For further information see MAOR214 course details
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from HIST, MAOR, or TREO, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
Restrictions
HIST259