The purpose of this qualification is to provide communities in New Zealand with qualified individuals who have attained sufficient knowledge, practical skills and behavioral attributes for the general maintenance of health and life style using traditional Chinese medicine therapies, practices and philosophies of Tuina.

*Apply knowledge of the human musculoskeletal system that gives humans the ability to move using muscle and skeletal systems and provides form, support, stability, and movement to the body in professional clinical contexts relevant to the practice of Chinese Medicine.
*Apply knowledge of the biological, physical and chemical principles that govern the homeostatic functioning of the human body that they can apply in the clinical and professional contexts relevant to the practice of Chinese Medicine.
*Communicate and integrate knowledge of the historical development of Chinese Medicine (CM) and its philosophy, its concepts of function and dysfunction, prevention and its therapeutic principles that underpin the process of a CM practitioner in the New Zealand healthcare context.
*Communicate and provide patients with knowledge, skills and values from CM philosophies and techniques required to support preserving and enhancing their health and well-being through managing their lifestyle, diet, physical and mental exercise in relation to the New Zealand healthcare context.
*Apply accurate location of points and channel function in safe and effective practice of therapeutic techniques of classical manual massage therapy of Tuina.
*Apply knowledge of systemic dysfunction and related patient presentations of disease processes common in contemporary New Zealand.
*Apply knowledge of western examination procedures and diagnostic tests, including the interpretation of common laboratory tests and imaging procedures, mainstream pharmacologically active agents or mainstream physical interventions to treat or supress symptoms or pathophysiologic processes of diseases or conditions into clinical thought processes and patient examination routines.
*Apply knowledge of physical examination into the routine of diagnosing traumatic disorders; apply theoretical and practical skills for the diagnosis, differentiation and clinical management of common traumatic disorders using Tuina-manipulation.
*Apply knowledge of common traumatic and internal disorders necessary for the diagnosis, differentiation and clinical management of common New Zealand health disorders using Tuina manipulation.
*Engage and communicate professionally and ethically within the New Zealand healthcare environment and various sectors, including obtaining informed consent prior to treatment and in the course of referrals to other healthcare services.
*Describe the steps involved in Tuina research within an ethical framework; review research publications critically where relevant to Tuina; disseminate or communicate research findings to peers and others; remain informed about Tuina advances in knowledge and apply these in clinical practice as appropriate.
*Collect clinical data with the four diagnostic methods of TCM, record and analyse clinical information and to differentiate syndromes in the New Zealand context.
*Make and maintain appropriate patient health records.
*Master and employ appropriate manipulation of Tuina through judicious selection from a variety of appropriate Tuina strategies and techniques to effectively treat a patient's condition; based on an understanding of their indications and contraindications.
*Review and monitor the health status of patients and modify treatment plans accordingly using an understanding of the indications and contraindications of Tuina techniques.
*Take responsibility for patient care in clinical practice and practice within the legislative framework that applies to healthcare in New Zealand, ensuring that the rights of patients and their families are respected.
*Contribute to improving both the quality of life of patients and the wellbeing of the community and the environment.
*Practise within regulatory, ethical and safety frameworks; run a financially viable business as a practitioner of Tuina.

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NCEA University Entrance Standard: Candidates must have:
* A minimum of 42 credits at level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), including a minimum of 14 credits at level 3 or higher in each of two subjects from the approved NZQA subject list.
* A further 14 credits at level 3 or higher taken from no more than two additional domains on the NQF or approved subjects.
* A minimum of 10 credits at level 1 or higher in Mathematics on the NQF.
* A minimum of 10 credits at level 2 or higher on the NQF in English, 5 credits must be in reading and 5 credits must be in writing.

International: Show competency to a minimum of 6.0 on the IELTS academic scale with no band score lower than 5.5 or equivalent (Equivalent means TOEFL, other NZQA recognised international testing or NZCEL (Level 4) (Academic. Test results should be current (i.e. obtained within two years of the application date); or students must provide evidence of full time study within a New Zealand school for a period of two years and proof that they have completed a minimum of NCEA level 2 (the UE English requirements).