What is the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand (OTBNZ)?
The Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand (OTBNZ) is a health regulatory authority. We ensure the safety of consumers using occupational therapy services. We do this by making sure all occupational therapists meet the specifications of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.
Latest News
Recertification Programme Consultation
The Board is consulting on a proposed recertification programme for new registrants and existing registrants returning to practice.
Information about the proposal and how to respond is available here.
English Language Policy Consultation
The Board is consulting on its English Language Policy and invites all practitioners, applicants, and stakeholders to contribute.
The policy and consultation document is available here.
Symposiums/Hui 2019
Following the success of last years symposiums the Board will be holding symposiums/huis again this year in the following locations – West Coast, Gisborne, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Tauranga, Invercargill, Whangarei, Nelson and Napier. The symposiums/huis are free and open to all practitioners and students. The programme is from 8:30am – 3:00pm with lunch provided.
We are holding symposiums/huis in the small towns this year, but hope to return to the large centres in 2020.
A sample of the programme can be seen here.
To register please click here.
Locations & Dates:
- Whangarei – Saturday 19 October, Registrations close 26 September
- Nelson – Thursday 14 November. OT Board participating in regional study day
- Napier – Saturday 7 December
For further information contact enquiries@otboard.org.nz or 0800 99 77 55
OTBNZ Webinar Series
- The Role of the ePortfolio Supervisor Webinar – Powerpoint
- ePortfolio audit process –Powerpoint
- Supervision for new graduate/overseas/return to practice – Powerpoint – View recording
- Removing new graduate/overseas/return to practice conditions – Powerpoint – View recording
- Health Information Privacy Act – 8 October 2019. Register here to attend.
- Q and A with the Registrar – 26 November 2019
All Webinars are subject to date changes.
New legislation to impact health practitioners
What’s happening?
There are significant changes coming into effect on 1 July 2019 which will impact on your practice.
What are the changes?
There are two regulatory frameworks that will have an impact on the health sector;
- New requirements on information sharing within the Family Violence Act 2018 (Reprinted 12 April 2019) .
- New requirement on information sharing introduced by section 65A to 66D of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 .
Where have the changes come from?
The agencies of Ministry of Health, Oranga Tamariki, Ministry of Justice and ACC have be working collaboratively to introduce these changes.
How will it affect me?
As an occupational therapist the changes will affect the way you share information with other agencies you come into contact with. You will need to understand these changes regardless of where you work. We encourage you to work with your employer and colleagues to understand how these changes will affect your practice.
Remember competence four requires you to practise in a safe, legal, ethical and culturally competent way.
Where can I get further information?
In addition to the above you may find the following links to guidance documents helpful:
- Information Sharing to support tamariki welling and safety
- govt.nz Information Sharing Guidance
- Ministry of Health – New information sharing schemes
- Information Sharing Oranga Tamariki (PDF)
- Information Sharing Family Violence (PDF)
Autumn Newsletter
Click here for our latest newsletter
New Fees
The Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand has put into effect new fees from January 31st 2019.
Please click here for a list of the changes.
Click here for an explanation as to how the new fees were decided.
Occupational Therapist Workforce
Submission to Health Select Committee
General
Health Practitioner Disciplinary Tribunal (HPDT)
HPDT decisions for occupational therapists can be seen here
