24 March 1995 Lincoln First University With Maori Studies Degree

Lincoln University today launched New Zealand's first University-level Maori Studies degree to offer the dual focus of Tikaka* Maori and training in key employment specialisations.

The three-year, 24 unit course aims to prepare students for careers in fields such as policy analysis, business management, research, environmental planning and tourism.

The director of the University's Centre for Maori Studies and Research, Rev Maurice Gray, said the Resource Management Act and the work of the Waitaki Tribunal had created a demand for graduates who had combined traditional subjects with Maori language and a knowledge of Tikaka Maori.

Lincoln has previously offered degrees such as the Bachelor of Resource Studies with a specialisation in Maori, but for the new Bachelor of Maori Studies the emphasis is reversed. Students are required to complete core papers such as Maori language, economic development and treaty issues and then add a specialisation.

Rev Gray said the core subjects aimed to provide a solid grounding in Tikaka and Te Reo Maori. A list of restricted electives would then allow students to follow their area of specialisation from a Maori perspective.

After the core and restricted subjects, students would then elect a specialisation in either business development, research and policy analysis, resource management and tourism.

Rev Gray said the business development stream could qualify students to work in finance, business and marketing, including iwi business development, tribal business enterprises and consultancy.

The research and policy stream could lead to employment in policy planning at a tribal, local, or regional government level, or with central government and state sector agencies.

The resource management stream provided expertise in environmental planning, heritage conservation and resource management, while the tourism stream could lead to employment in areas such as parks management, Maori tourism planning and development, and positions such as park rangers and iwi liaison officers.

For graduates who wish to further their academic careers, opportunities exist for post graduate work in Maori Studies.

Vice Chancellor Professor Bruce Ross said the development of the degree in Maori Studies was an important step for the university and underlined Lincoln's commitment to the principles of the Treaty of Waitaki.

"In the future the country will look towards those who can take up the challenge of new technologies and new demands, and who can fashion our thinking and take the lead in everyday life.

"The University believes that the specialisations in this new degree will produce graduates well equipped to take advantage of an increasing number of employment opportunities and to contribute effectively to developments at local, regional and national levels."

The degree has been structured to allow students to enter mid-year if required.

*The use of the underlined K (k) depicts the Kai Tahu dialect which is used instead of the more common "Ng." The use of Kai Tahu dialect is a policy of Lincoln University and the Centre for Maori Studies and Research.

Louise Tankersley, Associate Director, Centre for Maori Studies and Research, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.