BA and Commerce - Pacific Islands Studies in Dunedin New Zealand | University of Otago

Pacific Islands Studies offers a distinctive interdisciplinary program exploring current matters relevant to Pacific communities, including New Zealanders, within their rich cultural frameworks.
This program spans the Polynesian Triangle marked by Hawai'i, Rapa Nui, and Aotearoa, along with Melanesian and Micronesian islands. It highlights New Zealand's Pacific identity and its established political, academic, and diplomatic connections in the region.
The program pairs effectively with courses across diverse fields such as Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science, Indigenous Studies, Geography, Urban Planning, Business Management, and History. Our approach enables students to view these disciplines through a Pacific lens.
The major requires 9 core Pacific Islands Studies papers plus 11 electives from either this program or other subjects. Students can select from extensive offerings on Māori, Pacific, and other indigenous societies across multiple departments to align with their interests.
Pacific Islands Studies can be pursued as either a major or minor within the three-year Bachelor of Arts. Advanced study options include master's and PhD programs, with opportunities for interdisciplinary postgraduate degrees through joint supervision.
The curriculum fosters critical analysis of contemporary issues and develops research skills to generate innovative, inclusive solutions.