Design with mātauranga Māori
Study a subject that combines mātauranga Māori and Indigenous design with contemporary building science. Learn to create sustainable, culturally responsive solutions in architecture, interior design, and landscape design.
In Māori Design and Environments, you’ll explore the built and natural environments of Aotearoa New Zealand. You’ll also question how cities are planned, and who they serve.
You’ll learn key mātauranga Māori concepts through both theory and practice. You’ll build design skills grounded in kaupapa Māori, using multimedia and craft to explore new ideas.
Choose your study path
You can study Māori Design and Environments in two ways:
- as a minor in the Bachelor of Environment and Society (BEnvSoc)
- as a specialisation in the Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS), if you take a major in Architecture, Interior Architecture, or Landscape Architecture.
What you’ll learn
In the Māori Design and Environments minor or specialisation, you’ll do two studio-based courses grounded in mātauranga Māori. You’ll learn to use design as a research method.
You’ll also choose a third course—either one looking at how to design cities that work for everyone, or one exploring the built environments of the Pacific.
Matching subjects
Other major subjects that go well with Māori Design and Environments include:
Degree support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
Study options
Find out how you can study Māori Design and Environments at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Future careers
Studying Māori Design and Environments will give you a foundation in design, technical capability, and kaupapa Māori.
These skills are sought after in many areas, including:
- cultural competency and advising
- environmental planning and policy
- arts and creative industries.
With further study, you could aim for roles in architecture and building science.
More career information
Find out more about careers in architecture.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have first year and school-leaver scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
Scholarships for Architecture
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Studio Pacific Architecture wish to support a student undertaking their first year of study at Wellington Faculty of Architecture and Design.
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Applicants must be female, New Zealand or Canadian citizens studying full time at 300 level BSc (Hons) and Master's by Coursework in any area of Science, including Architecture and Design at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
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This scholarship is to assist students in the last year of their first Bachelors degree at Victoria University of Wellington. The scholarship fund will be awarded equally between male and female students.
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$15,000 VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Bachelor’s degree.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
We also offer specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
Scholarships for Architecture
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This scholarship is to assist students in the last year of their first Bachelors degree at Victoria University of Wellington. The scholarship fund will be awarded equally between male and female students.
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Applicants must be female, New Zealand or Canadian citizens studying full time at 300 level BSc (Hons) and Master's by Coursework in any area of Science, including Architecture and Design at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Further study
If you get good results in your undergraduate study, you could continue on to postgraduate study.
You could study for an accredited qualification, or for a Master’s or PhD if you want to do independent research.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you're facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Wellington Global Exchange
If you're a current student at Victoria University of Wellington, you can complete part of your degree overseas. Choose from our 140 partner universities worldwide.
Study Abroad and Exchange Programme
If you're an overseas student, you can spend a trimester or a year at Victoria University of Wellington. You'll earn credits at your home university while you study here.