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What is Development Studies
Development Studies provide students the opportunity to develop the conceptual tools, critical techniques, comparative analysis, research methods and practical skills to actually be able to practice in a chosen field of development. In this respect Development Studies is an empowering process for Māori, Pacific Islanders and other indigenous peoples who engage in it and who want to make a difference.
Similar to many other indigenous peoples, Māori and Pacific perspectives of development are understood as any activity that sustains and enhances people, their culture and communities as well as the natural environment which they are a part of. Indigenous perspectives tend to be holistic in their understanding of the processes and outcomes of development. An indigenous approach looks at the individual, community, natural world and the past as all part of the whole.
Māori, Pacific Islands and other students with interests in indigenous development wishing to major in development studies are particularly encouraged to apply. The strength of the discipline is its focus on critically analysing "development" from comparative indigenous perspectives; conceptualising sustainable or holistic development as maintenance and strengthening of man-made capital, human capital, natural capital and social/cultural capital; and the complicated, real-life processes by which indigenous groups give effect to self-determined sustainable or holistic development.
