New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage

New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage

New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage

Gaining this qualification will provide the health sector industry and massage therapy profession with people who can provide wellness and relaxation massage services. 

  • Graduates will be able to work within the Massage New Zealand Scope of Practice Wellness and Relaxation Massage
  • Graduates will communicate with and refer to remedial massage therapists, allied health professionals, wellness and medical professional for those specialist services
  • Graduates will be able to work independently or as part of a multidisciplinary setting. 

This course is taught using a mix of online classes for the theoretical papers, and face to classes on the Invercargill campus for the practical components.

Enrol
Enrol via email
Enquire
Key Details
Invercargill
Qualification:
Diploma
Level:
5
Credits:
120
Duration:

One year full-time

Study Modes:
On Campus
Dates:

2026 Semester 1: 09 February to 20 November
Fees:

This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.

  • NO tuition fees
  • Direct material costs of $1,104.00 (GST Inclusive)

International Fees can be found here.

Graduates of The New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage (Level 5) is the entry level qualification required to start your career in the massage industry or to progress to a higher qualification.

You will develop a base knowledge and develop professional skills required. This qualification is well regarded by employers in the Massage Industry.

Graduates will:

  • Implement professional and ethical standards through effective client relationship skills to offer inclusive, culturally responsive, person centered, safe practice
  • Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology (human functioning) relevant to wellness and relaxation massage to meet client needs
  • Apply knowledge of wellness and relaxation massage and other methods within breadth of practice to develop and manage client specific sessions plans
  • Perform wellness and relaxation massage and other methods within the breadth of practice to develop and manage client specific sessions plans
  • Apply a range of self-management and client service knowledge and skills to meet wellness and relaxation massage client and industry requirements

The aim of this programme is to enable graduates to provide wellness and relaxation massage services in a broad range of wellness and relaxation massage settings, or to progress to further study in the NZ Diploma in Remedial Massage (Level 6). 

Course content:

  • REHB5601 Massage Theory to Practice (15 credits)
  • REHB5602 Wellness Dimensions and Client-Centred Care (15 credits)
  • REHB5603 Musculoskeletal Surface Anatomy (15 credits)
  • REHB5604 Human Anatomy and Physiology (15 credits)
  • REHB5605 Sports Massage  (15 credits)
  • REHB5606 Te Hihiri (15 credits)
  • REHB5607 The Professional Practitioner (15 credits)
  • REHB5608 Relaxation and Wellness Massage Clinical Practice (15 credits)

Graduates of this diploma will be qualified to enter the Massage Industry as wellness and relaxation massage therapists in a broad range of wellness and relaxation massage settings.

     

Graduates can work as wellness and relaxation massage therapists in a variety of settings: 

  • Home-based massage therapy or mobile clinics
  • Community-based massage therapy clinics
  • Multi-disciplinary clinics
  • Sports settings (non-injury work)
  • Spa-based massage therapy clinics

NCEA Level 2 with 10 literacy and 10 numeracy credits; or a relevant qualification at NZQF Level 3, or a recognised equivalent; and a health declaration and police check. International applicants are required to have an IELTS Academic score of 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5 from one test taken in the preceding two years. 

To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage (Level 5) and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve:

  • A minimum of 120 credits in accordance with the Programme schedule for the New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage (Level 5).
  • The student will normally be expected to complete the New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage (Level 5) full-time over one year or part-time over two years.

Please Note: Students failing to attend for 80% of the timetabled programme hours may forfeit Zero Fees entitlement.

Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

  • Implement professional and ethical standards through effective client relationship skills.
  • Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology to meet client needs.
  • Apply knowledge of massage and other methods to develop client-specific session plans.
  • Perform massage and other methods to meet client-specific session plans.
  • Apply a range of self-management and client service knowledge and skills.

Graduates of this qualification are able to continue their studies in:

Classes are held Monday to Wednesday 9am – 4pm at SIT's main Invercargill campus, or online. The remaining days of the week are to be used for study and hands on practice. The timetable varies each semester and is confirmed about two weeks before the semester begins.

Students operate the SIT Massage Clinic on clinic days in semester 2, and this can go until 6pm at the latest.

Students may be involved in external massage therapy related events outside of normal class hours. 

Suggested Courses