Massey University

What you'll study

The programme balances studio-based learning with theory and cultural studies. Core areas include traditional practices such as whakairo (carving) and raranga (weaving), alongside painting, printmaking and contemporary media. You will develop visual literacy, technical skill and conceptual practice through courses in studio practice, materials and techniques, design, and digital processes. Complementary subjects cover kaupapa Māori theory, tikanga and te reo Māori for artists, Māori art history and taonga conservation.

Teaching typically includes guided studio time, workshops, tutorials, guest prakotahi (practitioners), field trips to iwi and museums, and collaborative projects. The degree culminates in a major studio project or exhibition that demonstrates your technical proficiency, cultural engagement and research-informed practice.

Typical modules and subjects

• Foundations in Māori visual practices (weaving, carving basics)
• Studio practice: drawing, painting and printmaking
• Contemporary Māori art and visual theory
• Kaupapa Māori research methods and tikanga for artists
• Materials and conservation of taonga
• Digital media and new technologies in Māori visual arts
• Professional practice: exhibition, curating and arts management
• Capstone exhibition or research project

Entry requirements

Admission normally requires secondary school university entrance or an equivalent qualification recognised by Massey University. Applicants are usually expected to present a portfolio of recent work that shows creative potential and technical ability; the portfolio may be accompanied by a personal statement describing cultural connections, artistic intentions and commitment to learning in kaupapa Māori contexts. Some applicants may be invited to an interview or practical assessment.

Māori applicants and those from communities without formal qualifications are encouraged to apply and may be considered through alternative entry pathways that recognise relevant experience and cultural knowledge. International applicants need to meet Massey’s general English language requirements and provide equivalent secondary or tertiary qualifications.

Career prospects

Graduates work across a wide range of roles in the creative and cultural sectors. Typical career paths include practicing artist, designer, weaver or carver; gallery technician, curator or exhibition coordinator; arts educator and community arts facilitator; cultural adviser or iwi arts development officer; taonga restorer and conservation assistant; and creative entrepreneur establishing craft or design enterprises. The degree also provides a strong foundation for postgraduate study in fine arts, cultural heritage and iwi-led research.

Why study at Massey University

Massey offers a programme grounded in tikanga and taught by staff with expertise in Māori visual arts and contemporary practice. Students benefit from dedicated studio spaces, workshop facilities and access to exhibition venues, as well as collaborative relationships with iwi, marae and cultural institutions. The university’s emphasis on research-informed teaching, community engagement and professional practice helps students develop both technical skill and the cultural competency needed to work responsibly within Māori art forms and in the wider arts sector.