Focused on research priorities and
graduate programmes – Masters and Doctoral degrees
The School of Indigenous Graduate Studies (launched in 2008) is the first of its kind in the world, the culmination of a vision that began when Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi was first conceptualised in the early 1990s. The vision incorporated aspirations to produce more Māori researchers and scholars, to support potential leaders and pioneers in their fields, and to build a solid reputation for academic quality and rigour both nationally and internationally.
There are a number of aspects in the School that are unique: a teaching adjunct faculty of over 15 Māori PhD (many of whom are furthering iwi/hapū developments); a PhD programme in four discipline areas; two Masters programmes; a doctoral committee with experienced PhD supervisors, including several from other tertiary institutions, and a pool of 18 PhD supervisors from Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi – all from a range of disciplines and backgrounds.
Awanuiārangi has firmly established a niche for Māori students at the graduate level, one that recognises, validates and expands on Māori knowledge and kaupapa, while seeking to produce research that will contribute to the economic, social, educational and political development of Māori. The PhD programme has 55 (enrolled) doctoral candidates and the Masters programmes over 200 students.
To download the International Prospectus in PDF format click here
Message from the head of school
With the launch of the School of Indigenous Graduate Studies in 2008, it was an honour to be the inaugural Head of School. The primary goal of the School of Indigenous Graduate Studies is to provide a quality graduate programme that incorporates quality learning/teaching experiences for students. Despite the high entry thresholds the Wānanga has in place for students wanting to enrol- the growth in student enrolments in our masters and doctoral programmes has continued to liftquickly and is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. This demand is being met through the growing number of PhD credentialed staff and a Graduate Adjunct Teaching Faculty comprising Māori PhD holders around the country who are available for thesis supervision.
As a Wānanga, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi is charged with delivering tertiary programmes grounded in Kaupapa Māori and āhuatanga Māori. This means that Māori knowledge and practices are central components to the academic programmes, teaching delivery and student experiences. While Tikanga Māori and Te Reo Māori are central to the way in which we operate (and is reflected across the Wānanga in our programmes and practices and some of our programmes have a high level of Māori language emphasis), there are many others designed to support new and emerging language learners. At the Graduate level, indigenous students are encouraged to engage with their own language and cultural protocols.
Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi further provides programmes that are portable and transferable both nationally and internationally. Therefore, it is important that we explore and integrate the world view of both Māori and indigenous peoples, engaging and critiquing the world views of “others”. Our graduate programmes are unique in the way in which they utilise whāau (family) and kaupapa (theme) Māri pedagogy. Rather than individuals being expected to work through the process alone, they become part of a cohort that comes to residential wāanga (meetings) held throughout a year. This provides an environment where students support and mentor each other along the journey –an opportunity to share, develop, support, and work together in an environment, that supports and nutures graduate students. Masters wāanga are held across a range of Awanuiāangi sites and doctoral wāanga are held in Whakatāe. Regular mentoring support is also provided to students.
A key element in the School is the high level of interaction with other indigenous graduate students internationally –in particular, Alaska, mainland USA, Hawai’i, and Australia. In 2009, Doctoral students attended and presented at international conferences as part of our international outreach. Students are also encouraged to attend and contribute at national conferences. The School of Indigenous Graduate Studies is currently reviewing the masters and doctoral offerings with the intention of expanding discipline options and providing pre-entry opportunities. The School caters for enrolments across Aotearoa and looks forward to receiving applications from prospective indigenous and international students.
Doctor of Philosophy in Māori Studies, Indigenous Studies, Environment Studies and Education
The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest supervised degree offered by Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi. This course of study is the culmination of having attained a degree with Honours, or an equivalent preliminary qualification. It 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.
The PhD degree normally involves a minimum of four years’ full-time research and six years’ maximum. Minimum period of enrolment is three years.
Entrance into the doctoral programme is through a selection process overseen by the Doctoral Research Committee. Students interested in the PhD should have a relevant qualification through Masterate or Honours programmes. Students with relevant experience and backgrounds in other fields plus a graduate qualification may also apply. Fees for the PhD are available upon request.
To download the programme information booklet in PDF click here
Mai ki Awanuiārangi in Whakatāne and Te Tai Tokerau
There are nine sites around New Zealand that produce and support Doctoral students in their studies, which includes students enrolled at other institutions. MAI (Māori and Indigenous Doctoral programme) is hosted by Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga – The National Institute of Research Excellence for Māori Development and Advancement. In 2008, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi ki Whakatāne became an official MAI site, followed by Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi ki Te Tai Tokerau MAI site in 2010. The MAI programme is run in blocks, which enables students to attend ‘residential noho’, to meet with an array of doctoral staff and doctoral candidates, to attend workshops and seminars, to attend IT courses or simply to write.
Master of Māori Studies
The Master of Māori Studies degree is designed to contribute toward the development of a high standard of Māori scholarship and knowledge. It is an interdisciplinary field that encompasses political, cultural and social fields of study. Students will explore Māori perspectives, knowledge and pedagogies relating to a number of theoretical frameworks that are uniquely Māori, while also exploring Western and other indigenous frameworks.
To download the programme information booklet in PDF click here
Master of Indigenous Studies
The Degree of Master of Indigenous Studies recognises that Māori aspirations are linked to a wider international context and that the aspirations of Māori are similarly expressed by other indigenous peoples around the world. The programme also recognises that indigenous peoples’ aspirations are located within and mediated by political, economic and social contexts of globalisation. Indigenous Studies is an area of international scholarship that reflects the role played by indigenous peoples at the global and local levels of world affairs.
To download the programme information booklet in PDF click here