Massey University

What you'll study

This master’s is practice-led and research-informed, combining studio practice, kaupapa Māori theory, and project development. You will undertake a significant creative project or portfolio that demonstrates sustained professional-level development, supported by a written exegesis or contextual research component that situates your practice within Māori visual arts and wider art histories.

• Advanced studio practice — painting, carving, whakairo, taonga pūoro integration, contemporary mixed media, digital and new media approaches where relevant to Māori visual expression.
• Mātauranga Māori and tikanga — exploration of Indigenous knowledge systems, kawa and whakapapa as they inform visual practice and authorship.
• Research methods for practice-led projects — methodologies for documenting, reflecting on and presenting creative research to both community and academic audiences.
• Curatorship, exhibition development and professional practice — preparing work for public presentation, conservation considerations, tikanga in display and community engagement.
• Supervised project or thesis — one-to-one supervision with staff who specialise in Māori visual arts; the outcome is a major artwork/portfolio accompanied by a written component that contextualises the work.

Structure and delivery

The programme combines independent studio practice with seminars, tutorials and regular supervisory meetings. Study modes include full-time and part-time options, with learning occurring in campus studios, workshops and through engagement with iwi, hapū and arts organisations where appropriate.

Entry requirements

• A relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in visual arts, design, Māori studies or another closely related field. Applicants with substantial professional experience in Māori visual arts may be considered.
• Submission of a portfolio of recent creative work that demonstrates technical competence and a coherent artistic direction.
• A proposal outlining the intended project or research focus, showing how it will be pursued in a Māori visual arts context.
• Academic transcripts, a curriculum vitae and references; referees should be able to comment on your artistic and/or academic potential.
• Applicants whose first language is not English may need to meet the university’s English language proficiency requirements.
• For Māori applicants, evidence of engagement with whānau, iwi or hapū and consideration of tikanga and kaitiakitanga in the proposed project is expected. An interview with staff and potential supervisors may form part of the selection process.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a range of professional roles that build on high-level creative skills, cultural knowledge and research capability. Typical career paths include:

• Practising visual artist exhibiting nationally and internationally.
• Curator or exhibitions manager specialising in Māori art and taonga.
• Arts educator or lecturer in tertiary and community settings.
• Cultural advisor, iwi or marae arts coordinator, and roles in museum/gallery collections and management.
• Creative entrepreneur — working in design, public art commissions, community arts projects and social enterprise.
• Further academic research — progressing to doctoral study in Māori visual arts or related fields.

Why study at Massey University

Massey offers an environment where Māori creative practice and scholarship are actively supported through specialist staff, dedicated studio spaces and connections with iwi, galleries and cultural organisations. The university emphasises tikanga and indigenous perspectives across its creative arts programmes, providing mentorship from established Māori artists and academics. Students benefit from opportunities to exhibit, engage in community-based projects and develop networks that support professional practice and cultural leadership.