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

Pacific Islands Studies offers a distinctive interdisciplinary approach to exploring current matters significant to Pacific communities, including those in New Zealand, within their rich cultural frameworks.
This program spans the Polynesian Triangle region marked by Hawai'i, Rapa Nui, and Aotearoa, along with Melanesian and Micronesian islands. It highlights New Zealand's position in the Pacific and its recognized political, academic, and diplomatic connections across the region.
The program pairs effectively with various subjects such as Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science, Indigenous Studies, Geography, Urban Planning, Business Management, and History. We guide students in analyzing these disciplines through a Pacific Islands lens.
The major requires 9 Pacific Islands Studies courses plus 11 additional courses from either this field or other disciplines. Students can select from diverse offerings on Māori, Pacific, and other indigenous cultures across multiple departments to match their interests.
Graduates gain insights into Pacific and indigenous cultural perspectives that prove valuable across numerous professional settings.
Studying Pacific Islands Studies opens doors to global career paths, not just within the Pacific region but also with Pacific diaspora communities in the Americas, Asia, and Australia. The knowledge acquired applies to challenges facing indigenous populations worldwide.