Doctoral study in Māori Studies

Why study with us?

As a doctoral candidate, you'll benefit from: financial support for research expenses through PReSS funding; high-calibre supervision practices; and the networks and expertise of our world-class academic researchers.

Research opportunities

You will be supervised by our researchers and have access to a range of resources to assist you in your academic and professional development.

We welcome PhD research proposals in areas such as:

  • Māori language and literature
  • Māori society and culture
  • Māori politics
  • Māori and the media
  • Māori material culture
  • Māori performing arts

Our people

Our Māori Studies staff have an exceptional record of research and publication and a strong commitment to serving Māori communities.

Past research topics

  • "Ko te karāma o te reo Māori o te pae tonga o te Kuki Airani: A grammar of southern Cook Islands Māori" | Supervised by Professor Margaret Mutu and Dr Ross Clark
  • "Te reo, a language for Māori alone? An investigation into the relationship between the Māori language and Māori identity" | Supervised by Dr Donna Starks, Dr Jane McRae and Professor Margaret Mutu
  • "'Less than a pig': The alienation of Māori land in the northwest King Country" | Supervised by Professor Margaret Mutu and Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith
  • "Nineteenth-century Māori letters of emotion: Orality, literacy and context" | Supervised by Dr Jane McRae and Professor Margaret Mutu
  • "Te tihoka me te karo: Struggles and transformations of Ngati Hinemanu of Omāhu" | Supervised by Professor Ranginui Walker and Professor Margaret Mutu
  • "The particle ai in New Zealand Māori" | Supervised by Professor Margaret Mutu and Dr Ross Clark

Scholarships and awards

There are several scholarships you may be eligible for when you decide to pursue your PhD in Māori Studies:

Help and advice

Our friendly staff will provide you with advice on enrolling in your PhD at Student Hubs.

If you would like to discuss your plans for your doctoral research you can contact our PhD Adviser.

Apply for doctoral study