Māori Psychology

In this major you’ll focus on understanding the psychological well-being of whānau, and consider Māori perspectives on a range of psychological issues.

Mā te kōrero, ka mōhio,  
mā te mōhio, ka mārama,  
mā te mārama, ka matau,  
mā te matau, ka ora.

Through discussion comes awareness,  
through awareness comes understanding,  
through understanding comes knowledge,  
through knowledge comes wellbeing.

Biculturalism is a core part of Aotearoa New Zealand's national identity, legal system, and sense of community—it's not just about recognising Māori and non-Māori cultures, but also acknowledging and respecting the history, social, and cultural elements that shape Aotearoa.

If you want your career to help bridge the gap between Western and Māori understandings of mental health and wellness, this could be the major for you. You’ll look at a wide variety of knowledge from both areas, and focus on the importance of developing meaningful, ongoing relationships with whānau and the wider community, and in the sharing of knowledge in both directions.

Career options

Our Māori Psychology major—the first of its kind in Aotearoa—will give you the skills to become a leader in mātauranga Māori in psychology and will be relevant to a variety of roles. If you’re interested in a career working with Māori or in relevant policy positions, this major will give you the skills and expertise you’ll need. Roles include as a whānau or support consultant in non-government and government organisations, as a consultant in iwi-based organisations, a Kaupapa Māori practitioner in the Department of Corrections, a policy adviser, a counsellor, a researcher, or academic.

Learn from experts

The programme is led by Dr Tia Neha (Ngāti Porou, Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Kahungunu me Te Whānau Ā Apanui). Dr Neha’s primary research looks at developmental and community-based psychology with whānau. She also has numerous international links with Indigenous communities.

“Kia ora koutou. Nō te mokopuna o Porourangi, Kahungunu, Apanui me Patuone. Ko Tia Neha ahau. I am Tia Neha. I am the Māori and Indigenous academic staff member in Psychology at Victoria University of Wellington,” says Dr Neha.

“Our Māori Psychology major was developed in collaboration with an array of schools from around the University, and is taught and delivered in a way that reflects our combined expertise. In particular:

• manaakitanga—unconditional service to our students
• aroha—kindness and respect to professional staff, teaching staff, and students
• ponotanga—truth and integrity of teaching delivery, and
• whanaungatanga—genuine inclusivity and support within the teaching team, which is reflected in the delivery to students.”

He Honohonotanga: tewhanaulab.wordpress.com/

Postgraduate study

This major provides a good potential pathway to the postgraduate study in psychology.