TE TUMU | SCHOOL OF MĀORI, PACIFIC AND INDIGENOUS STUDIES

DIVISION OF HUMANITIES | TE KETE ARONUI

Mō te tīma/About our team

Founded in 1990, Te Tumu has a vision to be a world-leading teaching and research centre of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous knowledge. Since then, it has rapidly gained an international reputation as one of the preferred places in Aotearoa New Zealand to learn about Māori, Pacific and Indigenous cultures and societies. We also teach te reo Māori (Māori language). Our multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary staff, students, research and teaching is reflected in our name Te Tumu, a pan-Polynesian term which is often used in Māori in the phrase te tumu herenga waka - a post for tying up canoes. We liken ourselves to a foundation - one to which staff, students and guests can anchor themselves to, for the duration of their stay at the University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka.

The Pacific Studies Programme was introduced in 2002 and focuses on contemporary cultural issues, here in Aotearoa New Zealand and in the Pacific. An introduction to conversational Tongan is offered at 100-level. In addition to core, compulsory papers, the programme offers a wide range of elective papers drawn not only from Te Tumu, but also from other Humanities programmes that teach about the Pacific including Anthropology, Archaeology, History, Theology, Music and Social Work.

Te Tumu also offers postgraduate programmes in Pacific Studies. These programmes focus on issues and research pertaining to the Pacific and Pacific Peoples particularly in the contemporary context. At the masters and doctoral levels, we supervise a diverse range of Pacific and Pacific related topics. Full details on all postgraduate programmes in Pacific Studies can be found at https://www.otago.ac.nz/apply/postgraduate/pacific-islands-studies

Te mahi/The role

Applications are invited for a Lecturer position in Te Tumu, School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies. The position offers an academic career in a well-established and progressive School with a proud teaching and research record.

The successful candidate will be expected to take on a full teaching load that includes courses about key issues and discourses in Pacific Studies and more focused subjects related to their research expertise. You will be expected to teach and continue to develop papers within the Pacific Studies programme in consultation and with agreement of the Dean of Te Tumu.

There will be an expectation that the candidate also develops and maintains a programme of highly quality research and publications.

The successful candidate will also be expected to undertake service roles, including administration appropriate to the School, the University and wider Indigenous communities. Te Tumu has a strong postgraduate research culture, and you will also be expected to undertake the supervision of student research.

Your skills and experience

The successful candidate will be expected to have the following:

A PhD in Pacific Studies or a relevant field
Teaching experience at tertiary level
Ideally, some peer-reviewed research publications and experience of postgraduate supervision and/or mentorship
Evidence of an ability to work with students and staff from differing academic and cultural backgrounds and at all levels of the institution
The ability to contribute to the teaching and development of the Pacific Studies Programme
There will be opportunities to also teach into the Indigenous Studies Programme in Te Tumu
Evidence of an ability to do independent academic research
Evidence of service to Pacific communities

Expertise in any of the following areas would be an advantage:

Pacific knowledge and research methodologies
Pacific philosophies
Pacific identity
National, Pacific regional and/or global challenges
Aotearoa New Zealand's connections to its Pacific Realm
Pacific diaspora
Pacific activism
Pacific leadership

Please note that proficiency in any Pacific language and an ability to demonstrate collaborations with national, regional and international Pacific and Indigenous scholars would be an advantage.

Pūroko/Further details

The University of Otago is well-known for its collegiality and combined with living in the vibrant city of Dunedin, provides opportunities for an excellent work-life balance. The Dunedin campus has been ranked as one of the top 15 most beautiful in the world. The city has affordable living, excellent schools, and a great array of activities, ranging from Art and Literature to outdoor activities.

This is a full-time (1 FTE), permanent position, based in Ōtepoti, Dunedin. The appointment range for this role is $97,377 to $114,943 per annum.

Application

Candidates are requested to submit the following:

A cover letter
A CV
Names and email addresses of at least three referees

To submit your application please click the apply button. Applications quoting reference number 2500685 will close on Sunday, 7 September 2025.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

To view all current vacancies and to apply online go to: www.otago.ac.nz/jobs

Equal opportunity in employment is University policy.

E tautoko ana Te Whare Wananga o Otago i te kaupapa whakaorite whiwhinga mahi.

Pūkenga/Lecturer - Pacific Studies jobs

Pūkenga/Lecturer - Pacific Studies - Dunedin