Applied Postgraduate Diploma

Empower communities. Heal whānau. Lead change.

Study mental health and addiction counselling in Aotearoa New Zealand

Advance your career with a Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health and Addictions Counselling at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi. Study in a kaupapa Māori environment and make a difference communities in Aotearoa.

Step into a transformative journey that blends clinical excellence with the depth of mātauranga Māori. The Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health and Addictions Counselling at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi is designed for those who seek to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals, whānau, and communities affected by mental distress and addiction. Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration with the Drug and Alcohol Practitioners’ Association Aotearoa (DAPAANZ).

Why Study a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Mental Health and Addictions Counselling (PGDip AMHAC)?

Bicultural Practice: 
Ground your counselling practice in te ao Māori while engaging with contemporary therapeutic models.

Holistic Learning: 
Explore mental health and addictions through clinical, cultural, spiritual, and community lenses.

Community-Centred: 
Learn in a kaupapa Māori environment that values whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, and tino rangatiratanga.

Career-Ready: 
Equip yourself with the skills and qualifications to work in diverse settings—health services, iwi providers, NGOs, and beyond.

What you’ll learn

• Advanced mental health and addiction counselling theory and practice
• Clinical assessment and intervention strategies for mental health and addictions
• Ethical and cultural frameworks in Aotearoa
• Integration of mātauranga Māori, kaupapa Māori, te ao Māori and clinical knowledge
• Reflective and culturally safe practice and supervision

Who should apply?

• The programme is ideal for those who:
• Are practitioners in mental health and addictions or social services seeking to upskill.
• Graduates of social work, counselling, psychology and mental health and addictions or related fields.
• Māori and non-Māori professionals committed to culturally responsive practice.

Discover postgraduate pathways