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iwi and hapū studies



Hokia ki ō maunga
kia purea koe e ngā hau a Tāwhirimātea 
Return to your mountains
to be cleansed by the winds of Tāwhirimātea


Hokia ki ō maunga reminds us of our inherited responsibilities to people and places of significance. This includes our iwi, hapū, whānau and tribal homes. Establishing and maintaining relationships and connections with those who share common whakapapa allows us access to a larger collective.

This whakataukī encourages us to return to our tūrangawaewae to be revived and rejuvenated through tikanga Māori. Its basic philosophy is to 'know about oneself'. Visiting and connecting to our marae and people is one way Māori do this. 


Iwi and Hapū Studies aims to increase the number of people participating in whānau, hapū and iwi affairs and is a core subject area studied by undergraduate and postgraduate students. The study encourages knowledge and confidence in who students are as Māori. 


All undergraduate Iwi and Hapū courses are facilitated online removing the need to attend a face-to-face delivery. Learning is done through 'Mūrau' or Moodle and is suited to all learning styles with tutor assistance every step of the way.


Before undertaking Iwi and Hapū Studies, students will require research assistance and support from their marae, whānau and hapū members. 


Future pathways for graduates include iwi and hapū support and leadership roles, contributing to whānau, iwi and hapū development and negotiations, historian, researcher, policy analyst, advisors, iwi liaison officers and more. Graduates steeped in iwi and hapū knowledge can make a valuable contribution in the future workforce and Aotearoa society. 


What is an iwi/hapū letter of support and why do I need it?


The information regarding hapū and iwi cannot be sourced from books or the internet alone so it is important that active iwi members are accessed to help you with information when needed.  The letter is an endorsement from a whānau, hapū or iwi member that a network of support is available to you for studies pertaining to iwi and hapū matters.


Click the button to download a copy of the iwi/hapū paper descriptions to help inform your support person/people of the iwi/hapū research you will be undertaking and the support letter you will need for your application if you are studying at diploma level or above.


It is important to note that for Postgraduate and Master’s level qualifications you may not be expected to cover all of the papers listed in the paper descriptions . Explore our programmes to see how Iwi and Hapū Studies features as a component of our qualifications.


Download Support Letter

  • Undergraduate - Diploma | Bachelor

    You will research and write 2 Iwi and Hapū kaupapa per year, over 3 years of undergraduate study. You will learn about your marae, your iwi, your hapū, a hapū taonga, oral literature of the hapū and how to analyze data. 


    Heke (Diploma) - year 1

    You will create/strengthen your relationship with your marae and the people who work there. 

    You will research and write about one of your marae, its history, layout, kawa/tikanga of the marae and roles and responsibilities on the marae. You will also interview a kaumātua on tikanga marae changes they have seen on that marae, in their lifetime. 


    The second research paper is about your iwi and key events in its history.


    Poutuarongo (Bachelor) - year 2

    You will research and write about one of your hapū, its beginnings, how it acquired its whenua, relationships to other hapū and to the iwi, hapū leadership, and a hapū-level activity.

    The second research paper is about a taonga of your hapū. 


    Poutuarongo (Bachelor) - year 3

    You will research, write about, and perform two oral literatures from your hapū or iwi that were composed pre-1900. The second research paper is a survey of your hapū (or iwi) to see what the state of te reo and other variables is within the hapū (or iwi).


  • Poutāhū - Postgraduate Diploma | Master’s Degree) - Year 1

    You will learn the importance of whakapapa, maps, and iwi kōrero tuku iho and how they help to tell the history of your hapū, marae and iwi.   


    IWI401 Kaumātua

    You will look at the statement ‘Our people are our wealth by analyzing the contribution kaumātua make to Māori society. You will learn about the interview process and organize interviews with iwi members on the role of kaumātua in your iwi. You will look at events that occurred in the iwi over time and analyze the impact they had on the role of kaumātua.  


    IWI402 Hapū

    You will look at expressions of tino rangatiratanga of your hapū to understand where their mana stems from. You will research the origin stories of your hapū, about founding tūpuna and their whakapapa relationships to other hapū leaders and to the iwi, about whenua and significant sites, leadership and the current population and its distribution. You will also research the principal home of the hapū, the marae, and its history, layout, kawa/tikanga, roles and responsibilities.


    TIH404 Hapū (Akorau only)

    You will research and use whakapapa, kōrero tuku iho, maps and photographs to create a digital resource on one of your hapū.  You will describe its beginnings and founding tūpuna, significant sites and the hapū relationship to those sites, whakapapa relationships to other hapū and to the iwi, hapū leadership, and a hapū-level activity.


  • Tāhuhu - Master’s Degree - Year 2

    You will critically analyze 4 Iwi and Hapū kaupapa in the Tāhuhu year of study. 3 papers are prescribed (TIH501, 502 & 503) and one is an Elective on either a taonga of the hapū or an artist of the hapū or iwi.   


    *Please confirm your chosen elective paper in your enrolment


    TIH501 Mōteatea

    You will research two oral literature pieces composed pre-1900 with a composite total of no less than 70 lines. You will analyze the text in your iwi oral literature to discover the hidden messages contained within. You will confidently perform the two pieces to the pūkenga.


    TIH502 Reo

    You will survey your hapū/iwi to determine the state of te reo. Based on the findings of the survey, you will develop a language revitalization plan to elevate the level of te reo of your hapū/iwi.


    TIH503 Oranga

    You will conduct a survey of pre-selected variables, analyze data, and prepare a strategic plan to improve the health and wealth of your hapū. You will prepare statements on the performance of the 

    variables.


    ELECTIVE PAPERS

    Remember to confirm your chosen elective in your enrolment


    TIH504 Taonga

    You will learn techniques for researching taonga of significance to your hapū/iwi. You will prepare a written and illustrated report providing detailed descriptions.


    TIH505 Kaimahi Toi

    You will learn about the importance of mahi toi and the stories they capture. You will learn a research methodology for the interview of a kaimahi toi of your hapū, about their art and its development. You will write an illustrated report on the artist and produce an illustrated curriculum vitae on their work. You will also look at art forms and traditions of the hapū and analyze the role of art and the artist in the development of the hapū.


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