Program Overview

New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Peer Support)

Programme Overview

Become a Peer Support worker. Foster hope and build resilience, self-determination and autonomy. Focus on peer support tools, communication strategies, leadership and the power of your own story to support peers and whānau who are experiencing distress.

Programme Details

Level

4

Campus

Porirua

Start Date

23/02/2026

Duration

1 year, full-time, part-time options available

Domestic Fees

TBA

Programme Outline

This programme is delivered using blended learning methods which combines face-to-face, online delivery, and work-integrated learning.

Courses

• The Lived Experience (30 credits) This course provides the opportunity for the student to demonstrate the skills and knowledge to work effectively as a peer support worker. Students will demonstrate an understanding of self-care strategies and their contribution to wellbeing. Students will reflect on their own lived experience and how this lived experience can be shared in a safe and professional way to support peers and whānau who are experiencing distress.
• Whānaungatanga Building Relationships (30 credits) This course develops skills and knowledge to enable students to build effective professional relationships with peers (people who have experienced similar adversity). Students will demonstrate an understanding of socio-cultural and historical factors that impact on health and/or social outcomes. Students will reflect on their use of appropriate communication strategies that are respectful of diversity and that demonstrate working in partnership with others.
• Peer Tools (30 credits) This course develops the skills and knowledge to enable the student to demonstrate the ability to work effectively as a peer support worker. Students will demonstrate an understanding of advocacy relevant to working alongside peers who have a similar experience. Students will reflect on the peer support tools and strategies used to foster hope and build resilience, self-determination and autonomy.
• Leadership (30 credits) This course develops skills and knowledge that enable students to protect and promote the health and wellbeing of peers and whānau. The student will demonstrate an understanding of their role in quality improvement and its impact on improving health and wellbeing. The student will reflect on their own personal leadership and their ability to influence effective teamwork and policy-relevant to work with people and whānau accessing peer support services. Students will also reflect on the ethical and legal implications related to their role.

Entry Requirements

Domestic

• NCEA Level 1 or equivalent
• Evidence of suitability based on referee reports and safety check, to meet relevant legislation
• A Health Screening may be required for specific placement settings

International

• Proven equivalence to domestic entry requirements
• IELTS 5.5 (no band lower than 5.0), or equivalent

How to Apply

• Completed supplementary application form
• Referee report
• Verified ID
• Verified official transcripts
• Curriculum Vitae