MAOR 202Māori ScienceTe Pūtaiao Māori

Māori have always been scientists and this science enabled them to adapt to, survive and thrive in the landscape of Aotearoa. This course examines how, by looking at mātauranga and pūtaiao Māori (Māori knowledge and science) in both traditional and contemporary contexts. It examines the differences and similarities between Western and Māori ways of knowing. Workshops and field trips on topics such as hangarau (technology) and rongoa (medicine) allow students to engage with mātauranga and pūtaiao in practical ways.

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Course details

Dates
7 Jul 2025 to 9 Nov 2025
Starts
Trimester 2
Fees
NZ$1,090.60 for
International fees
NZ$5,560.00
Lecture start times
  • Monday 11.00am
  • Thursday 11.00am
Campus
Kelburn
Estimated workload
Approximately 200 hours or 11.8 hours per week for 17 weeks
Points
20

Entry restrictions

Prerequisites
Corequisites
None
Restrictions
MAOR 124

Taught by

Te Kawa a Māui - School of Māori StudiesFaculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Key dates

Find important dates—including mid-trimester teaching breaks—on the University's key dates calendar.

You'll be told about assessment dates once the course has begun.

Key dates

About this course

This course is delivered in blended mode.

Māori have always been scientists and this science enabled them to adapt to, survive and thrive in the landscape of Aotearoa. This course examines how, by looking at mātauranga and pūtaiao Māori (Māori knowledge and science) in both traditional and contemporary contexts. It examines the differences and similarities between Western and Māori ways of knowing. Workshops and field trips on topics such as hangarau (technology) and rongoa (medicine) allow students to engage with mātauranga and pūtaiao in practical ways.

Course learning objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

  1. recall and discuss examples of Māori science

  2. differentiate between Māori and 'Western' philosophies, values and practices related to science

  3. understand how different knowledge systems and worldviews influence the management of the natural world, and be able to evaluate the influence of the 'Western' scientific worldview on policies, procedures and legislation and their impact on Māori resource management

  4. recall and describe recent case studies of Māori people engaged in and with science, and from this be able to critically examine which strategies best support Māori leadership in science

  5. understand and describe Māori views and key Māori concepts on environmental management, and be able to apply these concepts to the identifying of Māori positions on contentious issues in science, such as genetic modification

  6. learn skills in surveying and digital mapping with Google Earth in order to understand how a 'Western' technology can interface with mātauranga Māori in the practical context of mapping sites of significance to Māori, and

  7. write critically to address a range of Māori issues arising from discourse at the 'interface' of science and mātauranga Māori.

How this course is taught

This course will be delivered primarily on campus, with online accessibility. Most students will attend on campus; however, the course can be completed online if needed.
 

Assessment

  • Final Test A 90-minute final test will be scheduled and must be taken in person during the workshop sessions, or synchronously, by contacting the course coordinator. The final test encourages students to consolidate what they have Type: IndividualMark: 15%
  • Weekly Assignments (x11 includes field trip) Assignments will be distributed during each workshop. Each assignment will also be posted on Nuku so that students who are unable to attend their workshop can work on the assignment in Mark: 50%
  • Mapping Project In 2010, Te Kawa a Māui instigated a school-wide research project that enables student contributions to an electronic 'cultural atlas' (see http://www.atlas.maori.nz/). In this exercise, students will geographicall Mark: 15%
  • Essay The essay topics will be distributed in class and posted on Nuku. Essays are expected to use the JPS (a variant of Harvard) style of formatting and referencing. Essay topics are designed to allow you the opportunity to inves Mark: 20%

Assessment dates and extensions

Once you've signed up to this course, you can use to see due dates for assessments and information about extensions.

Mandatory requirements

Find out what you must do to pass this course.

In addition to achieving an overall pass mark of at least 50% students must:

  1. Attend at least 8 of the 12 workshops (attendance will be noted).
  2. This MCR ensures that students satisfy the CLOs by engaging in a variety of learning and assessment activities associated with this course.
  3. Make a credible attempt at and submit all assessment items.
  4. This MCR ensures that students satisfy the CLOs by engaging in a variety of learning and assessment activities associated with this course.

If you believe that exceptional circumstances may prevent you from meeting the mandatory course requirements, contact the course coordinator for advice as soon as possible.

Lecture times and rooms

What you’ll need to get

You do not need to get any texts or equipment for this course.

Who to contact

Parekura Tutua-Nathan portrait

Parekura Tutua-Nathan

Course Administrator

Past versions of this course

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Student feedback

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Selected offering

MAOR 202

7 Jul–9 Nov 2025

Trimester 2 · CRN 27089

2025 course optionsOptions (1)