Why Study "New Zealand Diploma in Sport, Recreation and Exercise (Level 6)"

The New Zealand Diploma in Sport, Recreation and Exercise (Level 6) at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is a one-year, 120-credit qualification designed for students who want to develop advanced knowledge and practical skills for leadership and professional roles in sport, recreation, exercise and fitness. The programme is taught by sport and fitness specialists in small classes and combines theoretical learning with practical application in areas such as exercise prescription, biomechanics, coaching and sport management. The programme is offered at Windermere Campus in Tauranga and the next listed intake is March 2027.

Key Benefits

• NZQF Level 6 qualification with 120 credits.
• One year of full-time study, with part-time study also available.
• Practical and applied learning designed around real-world sport, recreation and fitness environments.
• Teaching by experienced sport and fitness professionals in small classes.
• Develops knowledge in exercise prescription, biomechanics, coaching, nutrition, psychology and sport management.
• Provides opportunities to build industry networks through practical learning.
• Graduates may progress to further study, including the final year of the Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance at the University of Waikato, subject to the relevant admission requirements.
• The programme can support progression towards management, education, coaching, community health and recreation-related careers.

Program Structure

• Level of study: New Zealand Diploma, Level 6.
• Duration: 1 year full-time, including holidays where applicable; part-time study is available.
• Total credits: 120.
• Campus: Windermere Campus, Tauranga.
• Mode of learning: Primarily campus-based/onsite study. The published timetable includes scheduled classes across Monday to Wednesday, with some Monday classes occurring on alternate weeks. The timetable is subject to change.
• Next listed intake: 1 March 2027.
• Current timetable:
  • Semester 1: Monday 9am–1pm on alternate weeks, Tuesday 9am–1pm, and Wednesday 9am–1pm.
  • Semester 2: Monday 9am–3pm, Tuesday 9am–1pm, and Wednesday 9am–3pm.
• Main study topics include:
  • Sport and Exercise Psychology
  • Teaching and Coaching Practice
  • Management in Sport
  • Sport Nutrition
  • Exercise Physiology and Prescription
  • Applied Biomechanics
  • Maori and Indigenous Health and Wellbeing
  • Population Health and Wellbeing

Discipline / Specialisation

The programme is focused on Sport, Recreation and Exercise and does not list separate formal strands or specialisations on the current course page. Students develop knowledge across several related areas, including:

• Sport and exercise science
• Exercise prescription and physiology
• Applied biomechanics
• Sport nutrition
• Coaching and teaching practice
• Sport management
• Sport and exercise psychology
• Recreation and community wellbeing
• Maori and Indigenous health and wellbeing
• Population health and wellbeing

Programme Highlights

• International students can apply for the programme subject to meeting the academic and English-language requirements.
• International English-language requirement: IELTS Academic overall 6.0, with no band below 5.5, or an accepted equivalent such as the New Zealand Certificate in English Language Level 4 with the appropriate endorsement.
• The English-language evidence normally needs to have been issued within the previous two years.
• Applicants must normally have completed the New Zealand Diploma in Sport, Recreation and Exercise (Multi-sector) (Level 5) or an educational equivalent, or demonstrate equivalent skills and knowledge.
• All applicants must provide a signed Police Vetting consent form. Any convictions are considered individually by the Academic Leader.
• Special admission may be available where an applicant does not meet the standard academic requirements but can demonstrate the ability to achieve the programme outcomes.
• Current international tuition fee: NZ$27,360 for the listed March 2027 intake.
• The international course listing currently shows March 2027 as the intake for this qualification.
• The programme provides a pathway towards further study in sport and human performance, including progression to the final year of the University of Waikato's Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance, subject to applicable requirements.

Career Outcomes

Graduates can pursue roles across sport, recreation, exercise, community health, outdoor education and sports management. Potential career opportunities listed by Toi Ohomai include:

• Community Sport Manager
• Community Health Manager
• Event Manager
• Facility Manager
• Hauora or Health Exercise Educator
• Outdoor Educator
• Outdoor Recreation Manager
• Parks Manager
• Recreation Planner
• Recreation Manager
• Sport Director
• Sport Kairangahau
• Sport Kaiako
• Whanau Ora Manager

Potential employment settings include community health providers, community sport providers, outdoor education centres, exercise facilities, iwi organisations, local councils, cultural centres, outdoor pursuits centres, primary health organisations, regional sports trusts, and recreation, sport and leisure centres.

Visa Requirements (International Students)

International students normally need a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa for full-time study when paying international tuition fees. Students must have an offer of place from an approved education provider, demonstrate sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses or an acceptable scholarship/sponsor, and meet Immigration New Zealand's health, character and other visa requirements. Acceptable medical and travel insurance is also required.

• Toi Ohomai advises international applicants to obtain an Offer of Place before proceeding with tuition-fee payment and visa arrangements.
• Students applying from outside New Zealand should generally pay tuition fees after their visa has been approved in principle, according to Toi Ohomai's international application process.
• A 120-credit full-time Level 6 qualification can qualify a student for student-visa work rights, subject to the conditions granted on their individual visa.
• Current Immigration New Zealand rules allow eligible tertiary students to work up to 25 hours per week during study, with additional holiday work rights depending on the visa conditions.
• Students should check their individual eVisa because work rights and other conditions are determined by Immigration New Zealand.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current Toi Ohomai course page was updated on 4 September 2026.
• The currently listed intake is 1 March 2027 at Windermere Campus, Tauranga.
• International tuition is currently listed as NZ$27,360 for this course; fees are subject to change and students should rely on the final fee stated in their Offer of Place.
• Toi Ohomai states that course fees can vary because of factors such as student levies, additional course materials, GST treatment or selected papers.
• The 2026–2027 Toi Ohomai Student Support Levy is NZ$378 per EFT for students studying on campus; the final amount applicable to an international student should be confirmed with the institute as part of the enrolment/fee process.
• No separate course-specific international scholarship is currently listed on the course page. Toi Ohomai maintains a broader scholarship programme, but eligibility varies by scholarship. Several current scholarships are specifically restricted to New Zealand citizens/residents, so international applicants should check individual scholarship eligibility rather than assume that general Toi Ohomai scholarships are available to them.
• Police Vetting consent is a specific requirement for all applicants.
• The programme currently has only one listed campus: Windermere Campus, Tauranga.