Massey University’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Once upon a time, Massey University offered students the chance to explore a magical world of spells, voodoo dolls, rituals, and curses. But after 2024, the university’s Magic and Witchcraft course was discontinued due to staff cuts.
First introduced at Massey in 2008, the Magic and Witchcraft course was not a Hogwarts lesson in wands, potions and spells. Instead, it taught the history of ancient spiritual practices in Egypt, the classical world, medieval Europe, and early modern Europe. In its first-year, more than 120 students enrolled in the class.
When the media caught wind of the course, it caused a stir online. The Campbell Show, Close Up, and The Herald were only some who picked up the story. Suddenly, all eyes were on Massey’s Humanities department.
Professor of Classical Studies Gina Salapata was one of the original coordinators. Now reflecting on the past controversy, she says the criticism stemmed from a misunderstanding of what the course actually taught.
“The main misunderstanding was that we were teaching witchcraft and magic. Rather we were teaching about witchcraft and magic as it appeared in different historical societies.”
Art / Olive Bartlett-Mowat
“Small-minded people thought we were teaching the students how to put curses and spells — which is ridiculous of course.”
Salapata says public criticism focused on the first assignment, where students could either write an essay, create a curse tablet, or make their own erotic charm based on ancient classical readings.
She recalls students getting creative, “One constructed a lead tablet that he made himself, inscribed with Greek letters. Others made figurines in clay with bound arms to constrain the victim in the spell.” Students would break down the story behind the creation based on ancient models, the divinities invoked, and any other context behind the chosen spell.
Post media controversy, students were given strong disclaimers to use ancient names and historical contexts to avoid accidentally cursing someone. They were not practicing magic, rather learning about its history and context.
“We’re studying the actual everyday average person and their beliefs, hopes, frustrations, and emotions that come through in the written spells that we have preserved.”
Magic often emerged from times of desperation and uncertainty — much like religion. Historically when religion failed, people turned to magicians. Salapata says, “Everybody could engage with magic – not that everybody did. Whether you were rich or poor, average common people, or famous people, even emperors. It was throughout society and a known phenomenon. Of course, some people were against it.”
After the course’s media attention, fundamentalist Christian groups and conservatives joined the conversation. In a comment section on The Herald’s article about the course, many called it ‘hocus pocus’ and a waste of taxpayer dollars.
One commenter called the course “a thinly veiled attempt to organise a religious cult”. While another said students would be “sacrificing young virgins to their tree-god.”
Even the Family Party — a former far-right political party — objected to the course. In a 2008 press release, the party’s deputy leader Paul Adams said, "I have to question the appropriateness of a course on magic, which doesn't exactly fit comfortably with our country's profound Christian Heritage.”
Salapata says that while some students may have identified as practicing witches or magicians, in no way did the course advocate the practice of witchcraft. Most were simply fascinated by the topic.
So, while critics may have claimed the course was inciting the devil into the classroom, it aimed to lay a window to a world of history, intrigue and enchantment.
Despite being one of the more popular courses within the School of Humanities, it no longer exists.
While Massey University’s school of witchcraft and wizardry has been left empty and abandoned, Salapata remains hopeful the course will return again one day.
It might just take a little magic.