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Certificate in Diversional & Recreational Therapy (Level 4)

The Certificate in Diversional & Recreational Therapy (Level 4) is a comprehensive program designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in diversional and recreational therapy roles.

Program Details

• Credits: 120
• Duration: 43-47 weeks (Teaching weeks - 40; Break weeks 3-7) (4 weeks for Christmas/New Year period if spans 2 calendar years)
• Delivery: This programme features 2 semesters.

Commitment Required

• 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

Device Requirement

Students enrolled in this programme must bring their own device (laptop or tablet).

Intake Dates

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

NZ Qualification Gained

New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4) with the Diversional and Recreational Therapy strand [Ref:2992-3]

Graduate Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

• Engage and communicate effectively with tangata, family and/or whnau 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 Mori as tangata whenua and apply knowledge of person-whnau 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 whnau 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.

Entry Requirements

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
• Successful completion of NCEA Level 2 or 3
• Other equivalent education
• 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
• Successful completion of NCEA Level 2 or 3
• Other equivalent education
• Appropriate work experience in the healthcare sector
• 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
• The New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Academic) (Level 4) [Ref: 1883]

Program Structure

Semester 1

• DRT 1.1 - Communication
• DRT 1.2 - Mori 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

Under the Education and Training Act 2020 and the Student Funds Trust Deposit Exemption Rules 2026, student fees paid in advance must be protected through an approved student fee protection arrangement unless the total programme fee (including GST) does not exceed $1,000. Accordingly, student fees paid in advance are held in the Kauri Academy Public Trust student fee protection account. Fees are drawn down after commencement in stages as the course is delivered.

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 on a pro rata basis for the balance of the course based upon the number of full weeks required to complete the programme.