Fostering faith and confidence into the profession The Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand (OTBNZ) is a health regulatory authority.
Our primary role consists of:
(i) Protecting the health and safety of the public
(ii) Setting the qualifications needed for becoming an occupational therapist
(iii) Setting the standards for clinical competence, cultural competence, and ethical conduct of occupational therapists
(iv) Registering occupational therapists and re-certifying them each year
(v) Reviewing and ensuring the competence of occupational therapists
Please see our Social Media Terms of Use: https://otboard.org.nz/document/7190/OTBNZ%20Social%20Media%20Terms%20of%20Use%202023.pdf
25/09/2025
The Auckland Regional Hui has now also officially SOLD OUT! ✨
The overwhelming response reflects our vibrant whakaora ngangahau community going from strength to strength.
Thanks to everyone who secured their spot early.
Still want to attend?
Contact comms@otboard.org.nz to join our waitlist - we'll notify you immediately if spots open up.
We can't wait to connect with you all!
19/09/2025
OUR PEOPLE IN PRACTICE: WELLINGTON
Meet Amelia Gilbert, our guest speaker for the Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington regional hui, who will be delivering her presentation, titled "Occupation behind the wire."
We're thrilled to announce that our Christchurch Regional Hui has officially sold out with the highest registration numbers we've ever had for a regional event!
This incredible response demonstrates the growing strength and engagement of our kaiwhakaora ngangahau.
Thank you to everyone who registered early.
For those still wishing to attend: Please contact comms@otboard.org.nz to join our waitlist.
We'll notify you immediately if any spots become available due to cancellations.
We are excited to see so many of you there and look forward to an engaging and productive hui!
17/09/2025
OUR PEOPLE IN PRACTICE: AUCKLAND
Meet Elise Copeland, our guest speaker for the Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland regional hui, who will be delivering her presentation, titled "Beyond the garden gate: Occupational therapy in public places and spaces."
This year, Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori | Māori Language Week takes place between 14 – 20 September.
This year's Aotearoa celebrates 50 years of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.
Te Wiki began as a single Māori Language Day in 1972, born from grassroots activism. The concept expanded to a full week in 1974, becoming established by 1975. 50 years later, we honour and reflect on its remarkable growth and achievements while asking New Zealanders not just to celebrate, but to recommit to te reo Māori.
Te Taura Whiri | Māori Language Commission will be releasing more details of the 50th anniversary campaign events including webinars, rauemi | resources, and reo-based wero | challenges in the lead-up to the official week this month. Visit their website to find out more: https://www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz/
Kia kaha te reo Māori!
E kainamu mai ana Te Wiki o te Reo Māori! 🔥 Let’s make it bigger than ever 🎉
This year we’re celebrating 50th anniversary of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, and our website is packed with FREE resources to help you mark this special milestone:
✨ Posters & social media banners
✨ Zoom + Teams backgrounds
✨ Email signatures & profile icons
Kia Kaha te Reo Māori | 50th anniversary | Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori
15/09/2025
OUR PEOPLE IN PRACTICE: CHRISTCHURCH
Meet Tracey Partridge, our guest speaker for the Ōtautahi Christchurch regional hui, who will be delivering her presentation, titled "Rebuilding the Everyday: The Occupational Therapy - Kaiwhakaora Ngangahau role in Trauma Recovery for Adults with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder relating to Sexual Abuse."
In this month's edition, you will find:
• Message from the Chief Executive
• OTBNZ Regional Hui 2025: Registrations now open
• Kaiwhakaora Ngangahau Māori Hui-ā-Tau
• AUT survey: Exploring occupational therapists' post-graduate studies needs
• Whaikaha: Consultation on the draft New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026-2030
• Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 2025
• Public Health Advisory Committee: 'Determining our Future' report
• Helpful Hint: A few months left in the 2024/26 ePortfolio
• In case you missed it...
📢📅 Mark your calendars: Registrations are now open for the Regional Hui 2025 series coming to Christchurch, Auckland, and Wellington this October.
This year's theme is Future Forward. Our regional hui are a fantastic opportunity to update you on the Board's 2025 work programme, including the new Code of Conduct and Ethics and the upcoming review of the Scope of Practice and Competencies for Registration and Continuing Practice. You will also be able to network with your professional peers. 🌱
📌 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 🔎
🗪 When and where will it be held?
👉 Wed, 1 Oct – Ōtautahi Christchurch
Sudima Hotel Christchurch Airport
👉 Wed, 8 Oct – Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Jet Park Hotel Auckland Airport
👉 Wed, 15 Oct – Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington
Te Papa Museum
🗪 What time will it start and finish?
A: Each event will run from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
(Registrations open from 8:30 AM)
🗪 Is there a cost?
A: The hui is FREE for all registered kaiwhakaora ngangahau and undergraduate whakaora ngangahau ākonga. However, prior registrations are required.
🗪 Will these hui be available online?
A: No. For these hui, kanohi ki te kanohi | in-person engagement is critical during our workshops. Some hui content may be shared online separately after the event.
ℹ️ For more information or any queries, please get in touch with us at comms@otboard.org.nz.
We look forward to seeing you all!
06/08/2025
Second and last day at the ATSNZ Disability Expo! Thank you to everyone who has stopped by to say hello.
Carolyn (Professional Advisor) and Bianca (Comms) are here until 3pm to answer any questions you have.
05/08/2025
Day 1 at the ATSNZ Disability Expo! It’s our first time here and we’re having loads of fun getting to know our occupational therapy practitioners and students, fellow exhibitors, and the communities we serve.
If you’re out and about, come say hi! We are here until 4pm today.
04/08/2025
Our Here-turi-kōkā August pānui is out now.
In this month's edition, you will find:
• Message from the Chief Executive
• OTBNZ Regional Hui 2025 dates and venues
• Otago Polytechnic survey: Work-augmented learning in Central Otago
• Regulatory-linked changes to National Legislation
• Launch of Whaimana | Support My Decisions website
• Ō Mātou Reo: Our Voices
• Kaiwhakaora Ngangahau Māori Hui-ā-Tau
• ATSNZ Disability Expo 2025
• Rare Disorders NZ
• Helpful Hint: Notifications
• Did you know...
• In case you missed it...
Te Kaunihera Manapou | Paramedic Council is exploring paramedic prescribing authority in New Zealand and needs your voice - whether you're a paramedic, have received paramedic care, or work alongside paramedics.
Complete their short survey by Monday 25th August 2025 to help shape this important kaupapa.
Te Kaunihera Manapou | Paramedic Council is beginning a hīkoi | journey to explore the possibility of paramedics in Aotearoa New Zealand gaining prescribing authority.
As part of this mahi | work, we invite paramedics, the public and stakeholders across the health sector to complete a short, high level survey. This will help us to gather early insights, and understand:
- Your familiarity with the concept of prescribing
- The level of support for paramedic prescribing
- What safeguards, training or information you believe would be required.
This is an early temperature check to help guide our next steps. A more detailed consultation process will follow.
The survey is open now, and will close on Rāhina 25th Ākuhata 2025 | Monday 25th August 2025. Please visit our website, or scan the QR code below for more information and to access the survey.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Contact The Practice
Send a message to Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand:
The Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand (OTBNZ)/ Te Poari Whakaora Ngangahau O Aotearoa is a health regulatory authority. We ensure the safety of consumers using occupational therapy services. We do this by making sure all occupational therapists meet the specifications of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003. OTBNZ will lead national and international best practice in the regulation of occupational therapy competence based on its unique bicultural identity.
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The OTBNZ administers this page in accordance with our Social Media Terms of Use; all users are expected to comply, and may be blocked if found in violation.
Please click the link below to review the Terms.
http://goo.gl/YQ0L9B
A copy is also available on our website under 'Polices and Publications'
In accordance with the Code of Ethics, Occupational Therapists shall acknowledge and respect other colleagues, professionals and peers. Please click on the link to view the Code:https://www.otboard.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/CodeofEthics_April2015-1.pdf
We encourage discussion and sharing, but may occasionally remove content that:
is not relevant
breaches legislation, copyright or intellectual property rights
is offensive or discriminatory or racist
contains swear words or offensive, threatening or discriminatory language or content
posts personal information (including photos or video) of people without their consent
is considered disruptive, or can be considered ‘trolling’