Why Study "New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage (Level 5)"

The New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage (Level 5) at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is a 120-credit, one-year qualification designed for students who want to develop professional massage therapy skills for the health, wellness, spa, sport and fitness sectors. The programme combines online learning with practical classes and supervised clinical experience, allowing students to develop both theoretical knowledge and hands-on massage skills. The qualification is offered at Mokoia Campus in Rotorua and Windermere Campus in Tauranga, with the current international tuition fee listed at NZD $27,360 for the 2027 intake.

Key Benefits

• Recognised New Zealand Diploma at NZQF Level 5 with 120 credits.
• One-year full-time study option, with part-time study also available.
• Practical, hands-on massage training combined with online learning.
• Supervised student-clinic experience provides opportunities to work with members of the public.
• Develops knowledge of anatomy, physiology, massage techniques, wellness and client-centred care.
• Covers both relaxation/wellness massage and sports massage.
• Includes professional and business-related skills useful for employment or self-employment.
• Students can learn about the cultural context of massage practice in Aotearoa through Te H?hiri.
• The qualification can provide a pathway toward further massage study, including the New Zealand Diploma in Remedial Massage (Level 6).

Program Structure

The programme contains 120 credits and can be completed in approximately one year full-time. Its delivery is blended, combining self-directed online learning with face-to-face practical teaching and supervised clinical practice.

Main topics include:

• Massage Theory to Practice
• Wellness Dimensions and Client-Centred Care
• Musculoskeletal Surface Anatomy
• Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Sports Massage
• Te H?hiri
• The Professional Practitioner
• Relaxation and Wellness Massage Clinical Practice

Current delivery options are:

• Tauranga – Weekly blended delivery: online study plus practical classes at Windermere Campus on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 am–3:00 pm, with allocated Friday student-clinic sessions.
• Rotorua – Block delivery: online study combined with four practical block courses per semester at Mokoia Campus. Practical blocks currently run Friday–Sunday, 9:00 am–4:00 pm.

Discipline / Specialisation

The programme sits within the Massage Therapy and Sport and Recreation study areas. Its main focus is wellness and relaxation massage, while students also develop knowledge and practical skills in sports massage, anatomy, physiology, client-centred care and professional massage practice. Te Hahiri provides a cultural-competence component relating to the cultural context of massage therapy in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Programme Highlights

• Qualification: New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage (Level 5).
• Level: NZQF Level 5.
• Credits: 120.
• Duration: 1 year full-time; part-time study is also available.
• Campuses: Mokoia Campus, Rotorua; Windermere Campus, Tauranga.
• Mode: Blended learning – online study plus practical, on-campus teaching and supervised clinical learning.
• Next listed intake: February 2027.
• Rotorua start date: 15 February 2027.
• Tauranga start date: 1 March 2027.
• International tuition fee: NZD $27,360 for the 2027 intake, as currently listed on Toi Ohomai's international course information.
• Toi Ohomai's course page currently states that 2027 domestic fees are still subject to confirmation; international course listings currently show the international annual tuition amount above.
• StudyLink assistance is listed for the programme; however, StudyLink funding is generally relevant to eligible domestic students rather than international students.
• Students should budget separately for living costs, insurance, travel, accommodation and any applicable course-related expenses.

Career Outcomes

Graduates can use the qualification to pursue massage-related roles in a variety of wellness, health, fitness and hospitality environments, including:

• Home-based massage therapist
• Community-based massage therapist
• Massage therapist in healthcare facilities
• Spa and wellness massage clinics
• Sport and fitness facilities for non-injury work
• Massage services associated with sports teams or individual athletes
• Spas and hotels
• Cruise ships
• Massage or wellness businesses

The qualification also supports students who wish to become self-employed and establish their own massage therapy business.

Visa Requirements (International Students)

International students intending to study this programme in New Zealand normally require an appropriate student visa. For a Fee Paying Student Visa, students need an offer of place from an approved education provider, evidence of tuition-fee payment or an applicable scholarship, sufficient funds for living expenses, acceptable medical/travel insurance and evidence of plans to leave New Zealand when required.

• Immigration New Zealand currently requires tertiary students studying for one year or more to demonstrate NZD $20,000 per year for living costs, in addition to tuition fees and appropriate outward-travel arrangements.
• Students may be permitted to work up to 25 hours per week during study, depending on the conditions attached to their individual student visa.
• Because this is a 120-credit qualification, students should check their individual visa conditions carefully, particularly regarding scheduled holiday work rights.
• International students should arrange appropriate medical and travel insurance for the period of study.
• Visa requirements can change, so applicants should verify the requirements applicable to their nationality and application date with Immigration New Zealand before submitting a visa application.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The latest Toi Ohomai course information lists the next intake in February 2027, with Rotorua commencing 15 February 2027 and Tauranga commencing 1 March 2027. The course page was updated on 8 September 2026.
• International applicants need to meet the academic requirements applicable to Level 5 study. The course specifically lists NCEA Level 2 with 10 literacy and 10 numeracy credits; international applicants should provide an equivalent recognised educational qualification where applicable.
• English requirement: IELTS Academic 5.5 overall with no band below 5.0, or an accepted equivalent English-language qualification/proficiency outcome.
• Police vetting is required. Applicants must consent to a police check before starting, during the programme and before completion. Applicants with convictions may need an interview and entry is subject to a satisfactory police check.
• The programme requires practical and clinical participation, so students should be prepared for regular hands-on learning and supervised work with members of the public.
• Toi Ohomai's current international course list confirms the programme is available to international students and lists the 2027 international tuition fee as NZD $27,360.
• Toi Ohomai maintains a general scholarship programme. Current scholarship opportunities include the Toi Ohomai Study Award, Tauranga Crossing Scholarship and other institution-wide awards; no course-specific international scholarship is currently identified on the course information reviewed. Scholarship eligibility and application dates should be checked for the relevant intake.