The Pourewa Oranga Hinengaro: Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Mental Health and Addiction Counselling (Level 8) aims to support the development of the mental health workforce within whānau, hapū and iwi, and other communities and industries. It aims to support those currently working in the mental health sector.

Those who achieve the qualification will be eligible to apply for provisional registration with the Addiction Practitioners' Association Aotearoa New Zealand (DAPAANZ). This programme is not recognised by the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC) for registration and accreditation purposes.

Graduates of this programme will:

1. Create and apply mental health and addiction frameworks and theories within therapeutic settings.

2. Articulate the relationship that whakapapa, mātauranga and tikanga Māori has in mental health assessment and addiction.

3. Apply advanced knowledge of mental health and addiction theories, mātauranga and tikanga Māori in
therapeutic settings.

4. Create and apply mental health and addiction frameworks and theories, understanding the relevance
of tikanga Māori to these environments.

5. Apply advanced knowledge of mental health and addiction theories, mātauranga and tikanga Māori that
underpin the creation and implementation of practice frameworks.

Graduates may progress to further studies at a higher level.

Programme Admission Criteria for the Pourewa Oranga Hinengaro: Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Mental Health and Addiction Counselling (Level 8) are as follows:

a. EITHER a Bachelor's degree (Level 7); or
b. a Graduate Diploma (Level 7); or
c. a qualification considered as equivalent to Bachelor/Graduate Diploma at Level 7 by NZQA; and
d. have worked clinically for at least two years before commencing the programme; or
e. Special Admission may be granted to applicants without a formal qualification, where an applicant is over the age of 20 years at the start of the programme and they can provide sufficient evidence of work
experience, skill, education, background knowledge in mental health and addictions (those working with tangata whaiora who are affected by addiction could also be considered), commitment, and support to
successfully undertake the programme of study; and
f. have worked clinically for at least five years before commencing the
programme; and

All applicants must:

g. at the time of study must be working clinically in a therapeutic setting in mental health provision, with a focus on addiction, and
h. pass a Ministry of Justice Criminal Record Check (include vulnerable children act check); and
i. applicants must have access to mental health and addictions work, for at least 120 hours (minimum) of supervised practice over one year (full time) by an DAPAANZ approved supervisor; and only if applicable
j. must have been in recovery for a minimum of two years for any substance or process addictions and offending with appropriate evidence.

Note: Placements are not arranged for tauira.

English Language Admission Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not Māori or English must provide evidence of English language competence. This evidence may be in the form of IELTS academic band score of 6.5 (overall), with no individual band less than 6.0 equivalent (as defined by NZQA, for tauira who are unable to evidence their Māori or English competency through a formal qualification, at least, at level 7).