Application Process
The following outlines some of the benefits to joining the New Zealand Association of Hand Therapists and the process for doing so:
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION ARE:
- To advance the specialty of Hand Therapy.
- To promote expertise in the treatment of hand and upper limb conditions by therapists.
- To encourage interchange of techniques and ideas by both occupational therapists and physiotherapists working in this field.
- To organise seminars and meetings to educate and inform those interested in hand therapy.
- To foster a link between the New Zealand Association of Hand Therapists and the New Zealand Society for Surgery of the Hand.
- To circulate a regular newsletter informing of recent advances both in New Zealand and Internationally.
- To promote and facilitate the advancement of education in the field of Hand Therapy.
- To support undergraduate and postgraduate academic programmes in Hand Therapy.
- To advance recognition of and interest in Hand Therapy by other health professionals.
- To promote and support the interests of members of the group.
- To do such other things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of these objectives.
NZAHT Inc. Membership
The NZAHT Inc. has a multi-tiered structure of membership including Registered, Associate, Newsletter, Life and Honorary members.
Classes of Membership include:
1. Associate of NZAHT
Entry Requirements:
- Registered Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist who is a current member of their parent body (supply copy of annual parent body membership certificate, and copy of registration certificate or annual practicing certificate as verification of professional registration).
- Payment of annual subscription fee
Maintenance Criteria
- Accrue a minimum of 45 points in each 2 year period (refer to Schedule of Points) Points Structure If an associate joins between January & September then the 2 years to accrue points are the calendar year they join and the following calendar year. If an associate joins between October and December then the 2 years to accrue points will be the following 2 calendar years. If an associate is not able to accrue the points required they should submit a letter to the membership coordinator by November of their second year outlining reasons why and when they anticipate being able to complete the points. The executive will assess eligibility for extensions on a case by case basis.
- Payment of an annual subscription fee.
- A lapse of associate membership can be re-established by the accumulation of 20 points within a one year period and a penalty payment.
2. Registered Member of NZAHT Entry Requirements
Pathway1:
As for an Associate plus:
- Evidence of 1,800 work hours in the treatment of a variety of hand and upper limb conditions accumulated within the last 3 year period. Conditions involving the forearm and hand should comprise a minimum of 70% of the case log.
- Completed a NZAHT Inc.approved Hand Therapy Training Program. The currently approved training programme is the Hand and Upper Limb Module (HAUL), 45 credits, run through the Auckland University of Technology, (AUT)
Register now with AUT to secure your place on this course.
To find outmore information about this course click here or email
- A written case presentation (as per guidelines)
- Completion of an approved static and dynamic splinting course.
- A letter of recommendation of a New Zealand Registered Hand Therapist or Hand Surgeon.
Pathway 2:
As for an associate plus:
- Current membership of an overseas Hand Therapy Association with equivalent entry requirement as the NZAHT Inc or Certified Hand Therapist Qualification (CHT).
- Supporting evidence and CV.
- A letter of recommendation of a New Zealand Registered Hand Therapist of Hand Surgeon .
Pathway 3:
As for an associate plus:
- Evidence of 1,800 work hours in the treatment of a variety of hand and upper limb conditions accumulated within the last 3 year period. Conditions involving the forearm and hand should comprise a minimum of 70% of the case log.
- Completed a NZAHT Inc approved Hand Therapy Training Program. The currently approved training programme is the Hand and Upper Limb Module (HAUL), 45 credits, run through the Auckland University of Technology, (AUT), Register now with AUT to secure your place on this course.
To find outmore information about this course click here or email
- An additional approved 15 credit paper (post graduate level), relevant to hand therapy practice.
- Completion of an approved static and dynamic splinting course.
- Documentation / evidence of regular formal supervision.
- Evidence of peer reviews (2x) by and independent New Zealand Registered Hand Therapist who does not work in the same work organization as you or your supervisor.
- A letter of recommendation of a New Zealand Registered Hand Therapist or Hand Surgeon.
Maintenance Criteria
Must accrue 80 points in every 2 year period (log book to be submitted)
Points Structure
If a registered membership is conferred between January & September then the 2years to accrue points are that calendar year and the following calendar year. If registered membership is conferred between October and December then the 2 years to accrue points will be the following 2 calendar years.
Use of points accrued via the NZAHT Inc. Hand Therapy Training Program
Points obtained from each module and the exam of the training program can be used either:
Towards maintenance points for associate membership in that current 2 year period.
OR
Providing the associate has enough other points to cover their associate membership, can be accumulated and reassigned towards maintenance points for the first two year period of registered membership.
N.B. Points from the training program must be used in their entirety for one of these 2 options (i.e. they cannot be split to be used for both options).
If a registered member is not able to accrue the points required they should submit a letter to the membership coordinator by November of their second year outlining reasons why and when they anticipate being able to complete the points. The executive will assess eligibility for extensions on a case by case basis.
Payment of an annual subscription fee. A lapse of Registered membership can be re-established by the accumulation of 45 points within a one year period and a penalty payment.
Life Membership Criteria
Outstanding contribution during a minimum period of 10 years of continuous membership. Tobe awarded by a consensus vote at an Annual General Meeting.
Honorary Membership Criteria
Outstanding contribution to the association by a member or non member. To be awarded by a consensus vote at an Annual General Meeting.
Newsletter Subscriber
Payment of annual subscription fee.
Annual Subscription Rates:
Registered membership $120.00
Associate membership $120.00
Newsletter subscriber $30.00
To Subscribe, apply for either Associate or Registered membership, using forms below:
Application for NZAHT Associate Membership Or Newsletter Subscriber
Application for Registered Membership Pathway 1: Case Study
Application for Registered Membership Pathway 2: Certified Hand Therapist or Equivalent
Application for Registered Membership Pathway 3: Additional Post-Graduate Paper