Why Study / Key Benefits

• Develop the skills and knowledge to support people experiencing mental health challenges and addiction-related difficulties.

• Learn to work alongside individuals, families and wh?nau (extended family or community networks) in social and community service settings.

• Build practical skills to encourage personal autonomy, recovery, resilience and hope.

• Understand how culture, identity, personal experiences and self-knowledge influence a person's health and wellbeing.

• Develop reflective practice, self-awareness, personal leadership and professional communication skills.

• Gain work-placement experience as part of the programme.

• Prepare for employment in mental health and addiction support services and related community-based roles.

• Progress to further study in public health, addiction studies or related health and wellbeing degrees.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

WITT's programme description identifies the following learning outcomes and subject areas:

- Communication and engagement:

• Engage and communicate effectively with people, families and wh?nau accessing social and community services.

• Respect each person's socio-cultural identity, experiences and self-knowledge.

• Develop appropriate professional relationships with people receiving support.

- M?ori culture and wellbeing:

• Understand the history of M?ori as tangata whenua.

• Apply knowledge of person-wh?nau interconnectedness in a health and wellbeing setting.

• Develop culturally respectful approaches to supporting individuals and families.

- Self-awareness and reflective practice:

• Develop self-awareness and reflective practice.

• Build personal leadership and self-management skills.

• Understand the importance of personal responsibility and professional conduct.

- Professional practice:

• Contribute to a culture of professionalism, safety and quality within a health and wellbeing organisation.

• Understand the purpose of the support worker's role and how it contributes to the wider health and wellbeing sector.

- Mental health and addiction support:

• Work alongside people experiencing mental health and addiction-related challenges.

• Support individual autonomy.

• Use tools and strategies to foster hope, recovery and resilience.

• Understand how to support people in a way that recognises their experiences and needs.

- Work placement:

• Complete a work-placement component during the programme.

• Students may undertake placement at their existing place of employment if appropriate, or WITT will arrange a suitable placement.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The programme is within the health and wellbeing and social and community services discipline.

The selected strand is Mental Health and Addiction Support, focusing on:

• Mental health support.

• Addiction support.

• Recovery-oriented practice.

• Resilience and personal autonomy.

• Community and social services.

• Family and wh?nau support.

• Culturally responsive health and wellbeing practice.

Programme Highlights

• NZQA-recognised Level 4 qualification carrying 120 credits.

• One-year full-time study option.

• On-campus delivery two days per week.

• Practical work-placement component in the second trimester.

• Specialised learning in mental health and addiction support.

• Focus on recovery, resilience, hope and personal autonomy.

• Emphasis on culturally respectful support for people, families and wh?nau.

• Entry requirements include an interview, written references and police clearance.

• Further study pathways include public health, addiction studies and related health and wellbeing degrees.

Career Outcomes

WITT identifies mental health and addiction support work as a potential employment outcome.

Graduates may seek roles such as:

• Mental health support worker.

• Addiction support worker.

• Community support worker in relevant services.

• Support worker in organisations assisting people with mental health and addiction-related needs.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The current WITT international listing gives 22 February 2027 as the upcoming intake.

• The programme is delivered two days per week on campus.

• Work placement takes place in the second trimester.

• Applicants must provide two written referee reports and complete an interview.

• Police clearance is required because of the level of trust involved in mental health support work.

• Applicants must provide a Record of Personal Information from the New Zealand Ministry of Justice.

• Students must complete the Health and Immunisation Declaration and other required application forms.

• Students must have access to a computer, internet connection and email, and be able to use Microsoft Word and access websites.

• WITT states that international graduates may be eligible for an open Post Study Work Visa. This is not a guarantee of eligibility; students should check the qualification and their individual circumstances against Immigration New Zealand's rules before relying on post-study work rights.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study this one-year, full-time qualification will generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to their individual immigration circumstances.

Current Immigration New Zealand information:

• Visa application fee: from NZD $850.

• Processing time: 80% of applications within 7 weeks. This is a processing estimate, not a guarantee.

• Maximum visa duration: up to 4 years, depending on the course and individual circumstances.

• Students should apply at least 3 months before their intended travel date.

• The visa allows full-time study in the approved programme.

• Eligible student visa holders may work up to 25 hours per week during study and full-time during scheduled holidays, depending on the conditions stated on their visa.

Main visa requirements:

• An offer of place from an approved New Zealand education provider.

• Evidence of tuition fee payment, ability to pay the tuition fees, or an applicable scholarship.

• Evidence of sufficient funds to cover living expenses.

• Acceptable medical and travel insurance for the required period.

• Evidence of good health and character.

• Genuine intentions to study and comply with visa conditions.

• Evidence of a return or onward travel ticket, or sufficient funds to purchase one.

• Passport and other supporting documents required by Immigration New Zealand.

Living-cost funds:

• For tertiary study lasting one year or longer, Immigration New Zealand requires NZD $20,000 for each year of study.

• For study lasting less than one year, the requirement is NZD $1,667 per month.

• Prepaid accommodation may be deducted from the required living-cost funds in qualifying circumstances.

• Students must provide acceptable evidence that the money is genuinely available to them.

Additional considerations for applicants from India:

• Immigration New Zealand may request evidence of the source and genuine availability of funds.

• Indian applicants applying from South Asia should note that only immediate family members can sponsor them or provide a financial undertaking. This includes a partner, parents, siblings, grandparents and parents-in-law.

• The Funds Transfer Scheme may be available to eligible applicants from India.

• Meeting the financial requirements does not guarantee visa approval.

Post-study work visa:

WITT's programme page states that international graduates may be eligible for an open Post Study Work Visa. However, this wording does not guarantee that every graduate of this Level 4 qualification will qualify. Confirm the qualification's current eligibility and the applicable Immigration New Zealand rules before making plans based on post-study employment.