Graduates will have advanced applied practice and critical reflexive research skills in Māori performing arts, which will equip them to revitalize, reclaim and reinforce specialist disciplines to inform future cultural and competitive contexts at local, regional, national and international level.

Graduates of this programme will be:

1. advanced practitioners in a specialized area of performing arts.

2. reflexive and responsive practitioners able to articulate Māori aspirations and, or mātauranga Māori knowledge within a specialised area of performing arts.

3. innovative, creative, and culturally robust practitioners within a specialised area of performing arts.

4. effective communicators, leaders, and contributors to the future development of Māori performing arts performance, scholarship, and excellence for, and with, relevant whānau, hapū, iwi and kapa haka communities.

5. critically conscious practitioners able to influence and support cultural revitalization, reclamation, and sustainability in localized and non-localized contexts.

Graduates may progress to further studies at a higher level.

Entry into the Postgraduate Diploma in Māori and Indigenous Studies (Level 8) requires that the tauira will:
(a) have made formal application for entry to the programme and the specified endorsement selected; and
(b) have one of the following:
i. a bachelor's degree at Level 7; or
ii. a graduate diploma at Level 7 with supporting evidence of at least five years relevant work/community experience in the field of study/endorsement area applying for; or
iii. with supporting evidence at least eight years relevant work/community experience in the field of study/endorsement area applying for; or
iv. a qualification considered by the Head of School as ad eundem statum (recognised as having an equivalent status or competencies to merit achievement in a bachelor's degree).

(c) Can demonstrate an appropriate level of te reo Māori competency as determined by appropriate Māori Performing Arts staff.

(d) Preference will be given to a tauira who has a minimum of a B+ average for the third year of their undergraduate degree.

Te Reo Māori Admission Requirements
If electing the Te Reo o Te Mōteatea or the Composition papers, tauira need to demonstrate the ability to complete assessments in te reo Māori by meeting the following criteria:
(i) Submitting at least two written or where appropriate, oral character references.
(ii) Submitting a copy of verified formal qualifications as outlined below.
OR
Complete the written submission and oral interview requirements as outlined below.
OR
Complete a combination of all three depending on what formal qualifications are achieved (e.g. if formal qualifications clearly outline applicants are competent in writing in te reo Māori then they will be required to complete the oral interview and vice versa).

Formal Qualifications
Any tertiary te reo qualification at level 7 or above. An assessor will be appointed to review the applicant's verified official academic record or transcript to identify qualifications, programmes, components, and assessment standards achieved.

Written Submission
Applicants are required to submit three formal pieces of writing in te reo Māori, these could include but are not limited to, compositions, publications, essays, or reports. An assessor will review the three submissions to determine the applicant's suitability to be admitted to the programme.

Oral Interview
An interview, entirely in te reo Māori, will be arranged between an appointed assessor and tauira to discuss their te reo journey, their kapa haka background, their passions and any other Māori performing arts related experiences. This interview will take a minimum of 20 minutes. An assessor will be required to ascertain whether the applicant's te reo level is equal to or higher than a tertairy level 7 qualification.

Special admission
(a) Special admission may be granted, where an applicant is over the age of 20 years at the start of the programme and they can provide sufficient evidence of work experience, skill, education, background knowledge, commitment and support to successfully undertake the programme of study.
(b) An applicant must provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.
(c) Special admission may be granted at the discretion of the National Programme Coordinator.

English Language Admission Requirements
(a) Applicants whose first language is not Māori or English must provide evidence of English language competence. This evidence may be in the form of IELTS academic band score of 6.5 (overall), with no individual band less than 6.0 equivalent.