New Zealand Certificate in Diversional & Recreational Therapy (Applied Practice) (Level 4)

Credits : 120

Duration : 43-48 weeks (Teaching weeks - 40; Break weeks – 3-8) (4 weeks for Christmas/New Year period if spans 2 calendar years)

Delivery : This programme features 2 semesters.

Commitment required for this programme:

20 hours of face-to-face delivery per week
a Minimum of 10 hours of self-directed study per week
10 weeks of clinical placement.

Fees :

Domestic - $6,620

International - $23,946

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): Students enrolled in this programme must bring their own device (laptop or tablet).
For more details and specifications on the model, click here.

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Intake Dates:

4th May 2026, 20th July 2026, 5th October 2026

Graduates will be able to...

Engage and communicate effectively with tangata, family and/or whānau accessing social and community services in a manner which respects their socio-cultural identity, experiences and self-knowledge.
Apply knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to honour the history and context of Māori as tangata whenua and apply knowledge of person-whānau interconnectedness to own role in a health and wellbeing setting.
Demonstrate self-awareness, reflective practice, self-management, personal leadership and self-care in a health and wellbeing setting.
Actively contribute to a culture of professionalism, safety and quality in a health and wellbeing organisation.
Use knowledge of the aims and purpose(s) of the wider health and well-being sectors to reflect on their impact on own role.
Apply diversional and recreational therapy tools and strategies when working alongside tangata, family and/or whānau to enhance their spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Career Pathways

Graduates of this qualification will have the skills and knowledge required to work in a diversional and recreational therapy role, or as motivation therapists, activity coordinators or occupational therapy aids in residential care, public or private hospitals, rehabilitation centres or in the community in aged care, mental health and addiction, or social services sectors

Students may pathway to further learning such as:

New Zealand Certificate in Public Health and Health Promotion (Level 5) [Ref: 1865];
New Zealand Diploma in Health and Wellbeing (Practice/Applied Practice) (Level 5) [Ref: 3244];
New Zealand Certificate in Youth Work (Level 5) [Ref: 4795];
New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing (Level 5) [Ref: 2889].

Or higher-level study in related health and wellbeing fields.

Domestic students –

There are no mandatory prerequisites for this qualification. Learners enrolling are

recommended to hold one of the following qualifications, or equivalent knowledge, skills and experience.

Have completed certificate in Healthcare Level 3; OR
Successful completion of NCEA Level 2 or 3; OR
Other equivalent education; OR
Appropriate work experience in the healthcare sector

International students –

There are no mandatory prerequisites for this qualification.

Learners enrolling are recommended to hold one of the following qualifications, or equivalent knowledge, skills and experience.

Have completed certificate in Healthcare Level 3; OR
Successful completion of NCEA Level 2 or 3; OR
Other equivalent education; OR
Appropriate work experience in the healthcare sector; and
also required to meet NZQF Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules 2013 (Appendix 2) e.g. an IELTS Academic score of 5.5, with no band score lower than 5; or the New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Academic) (Level 4) [Ref: 1883].

Entry Requirements

Semester 1

DRT 1.1 - Communication
DRT 1.2 - Māori Tangata whenua
DRT 1.3 - Personal Leadership

Semester 2

DRT 2.1 - Currency of Practice
DRT 2.2 - Therapeutic Recreation
DRT 2.3 - Activity Quality Management
DRT 3.1 - Clinical Activities (Clinical Placement)

FEE PROTECTION

Section 236A of the Education Act 1989 requires student fees (over $500 in total) to be placed in an approved trust account to provide security for the repayment of prepaid fees in the event programmes are terminated early. Accordingly, student fees paid in advance are held in the Kauri Academy Public Trust account. Fees are drawn down after commencement in stages as the course is completed.
In the event a programme is terminated and alternative tuition services are not provided, the student is entitled to a refund of prepaid student fees pro rata for the balance of the course based upon the number of full weeks required to complete the programme. This arrangement has been accepted by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority as meeting the requirements of the Education and Training Act 2020 and the Student Fee Protection Rules 2025.