Program Overview

---

Course Overview

The course ENGL 331, New Zealand Literature, explores how New Zealand has been imagined, challenged, narrated, and claimed in its literatures. It studies canonical authors alongside contemporary writers who contest their legacy, considering ongoing questions around national identity, colonization, and place in historical context, and including Māori, Pākehā, and Tauiwi literatures and critical perspectives.

Course Details

• Dates: 23 February 2026 to 21 June 2026
• Starts: Trimester 1
• Fees:
  • Domestic students: NZ$1,156.00
  • International students: NZ$5,893.60
• Lecture Start Times:
  • Monday 3.10pm
  • Wednesday 3.10pm
• Campus: Kelburn
• Estimated Workload: Approximately 200 hours or 11.8 hours per week for 17 weeks
• Points: 20 points

Entry Restrictions

• Prerequisites: 20 points from ENGL 200-299, 20 further points from ENGL 200-299, CREW 200-299, THEA 205, THEA 211
• Corequisites: None
• Restrictions: None

Taught By

The course is taught by the School of Arts and Media — Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Disclaimer

This course outline may be subject to change.

Key Dates

Important dates, including mid-trimester teaching breaks, can be found on the University's key dates calendar. Assessment dates will be announced once the course has begun.

Course Learning Objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

1. Read, analyze, and interpret key works of New Zealand literature
2. Understand how issues in New Zealand history and culture are expressed in its literature
3. Theorize the place of New Zealand in a range of literary texts, including poetry and prose
4. Develop and advance sustained written arguments on New Zealand literature

How This Course Is Taught

The course includes workshops, tutorials, and student-led discussions, with all classes designed for active student participation. It is taught entirely in person and on campus, with lecture recordings provided for further study and revision. Most assessments can be submitted online, but the final examination must be taken in person.

Assessment

• Examination: 30%
• Close Reading Exercise #1: 20%
• Close Reading Exercise #2: 20%
• Major Project: 30%

Lecture Times and Rooms

• 23 February 2026 to 5 April 2026
• 20 April 2026 to 31 May 2026

What You'll Need to Get

Required Texts

• EDGE OF THE ALPHABET by Janet Frame
• Chinese Fish by Grace Yee

Past Versions of This Course

Older versions of this course may be accessible through the course archive.

Student Feedback

Previous students' feedback on this course can be found in the student feedback database.