The Postgraduate Diploma in Māori Visual Arts is a course for students who already possess a qualification in Māori Art or who can demonstrate equivalent qualifications. It is a stepping stone to the Master of Māori Visual Arts. Most aspiring Masters Students first enrol in the postgraduate diploma, then transfer to the Masters after a year if they achieve the required grade (B average or above) In the postgraduate diploma, you will balance independent creative work in the studio with learning in Māori studies or museum studies, although art-making will be what you spend most of your time doing. Students who have over 10 years of exhibition practice can apply to do a studio-only postgraduate diploma; just talk to us about your situation. The Māori Visual Arts programme embraces customary practices from carving to weaving to kowhaiwhai yet fosters work that does not necessarily adhere to visual indicators of ‘Maori’ art. The work coming out of Toioho ki Apiti,, especially at postgraduate level, often asks critical questions about identity and visual culture and exists at the interface of ‘Western’ and ‘indigenous’ art. Why postgraduate study? Postgraduate study is hard work but hugely rewarding and empowering. It is not just ‘more of the same’ undergraduate study. You will find you have to be more self-directed, especially in planning your time. You will develop a deeper understanding of how to express Māori or indigenous visual culture. Postgraduate Diploma in Māori Visual Arts structure Courses to the value of 120 credits at 700 level as outlined below. Option One 150.707 Te Tataitanga Matatau (Maui): Advanced Studio Practice (90 credits) and 30 credits from the courses in the following list: 150.701 Tino Rangatiratanga: Strategic Māori Development 150.711 Te Tau-Ihu o te Reo: Advanced Māori Literature 150.714 Tā Te Māori Rangahau Kōrero: Māori Research Methodologies 150.715 Taonga Tuku Iho: Heritage Aotearoa 167.742 Collection Management 167.743 Museum Management 167.744 Museums and the Public Option Two 150.720 Rangahau Whakairo: Pre-thesis Practicum (120 credits)