Media Releases

 

Work hard, live long, die fulfilled: Work is a basic human need – and occupation is therapeutic - no surprise to occupational therapists - Media Release 24 May 2010

The New Zealand Association of Occupational Therapists (NZAOT) fully supports the Australasian Faculty of Occupational & Environmental Medicine position statement “Realising the Health Benefits of Work” to be launched 25 May 2010 in Auckland. Read more...

ACC Futures Coalition - Media Release 7 October 2009

The ACC Futures Coalition is concerned that ACC plans to call in private third party administrators to handle up to 1500 long-term accident compensation claimants.

“This group of people receiving accident compensation face major challenges in returning to work,” said ACC Futures Coalition spokesperson Hazel Armstrong.

“The private operators ACC are planning to bring in are administrators, not rehabilitation and treatment providers, and have poor track record in getting long term claimants back to work.” Read more...

Occupational Therapy in Primary Health Care: - Better - Sooner - More Convenient - Media release 1 September 2009

The role of occupational therapy in primary health care with the aim of improving health outcomes for New Zealanders, is the focus of the New Zealand Association of Occupational Therapists (NZAOT) position statement launched today. Read more...

Tribute to First New Zealand Occupational Therapist to receive Fulbright Scholarship - Media Release 27 August 2009

The New Zealand Association of Occupational Therapists (NZAOT) applauds member Dr Linda Wilson, Principal Lecturer of the School of Occupational Therapy at Otago Polytechnic who has become New Zealand’s first ever occupational therapist to be awarded a prestigious Fulbright scholarship. Read more ...

The Dignity of Occupation - 25 June 2009

Founded in 1949 the New Zealand Association of Occupational Therapists (NZAOT) celebrates 60 years of providing support, networking, professional development and representation to occupational therapists. Read more...

Trust is built on a handshake - 3 November 2008

The occupation of standing for public office always involves the occupational activity of hand shaking – the higher the office the more handshaking!  Election 2008 candidates have been given tips from occupational therapists  for preventing pain, discomfort or injury associated with repeated handshakes. Read more....

Download a copy of the Shake and Smile pamphlet

A Fairer Health System - 23 October 2008

‘There is inequity in funding for people with disabilities,’ agreed all political party candidates at a public meeting  in Hamilton on Saturday 11 October to highlight inequitable funding  for people with disabilities. Occupational therapists joined Melanie Trevethick, campaigner for Equity-for-Illness, to highlight and discuss issues of unfairness in funding and service provision.  Read more...

Ratification - Right on! - 21 October 2008

(NZAOT) congratulates the New Zealand  government for its ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).  This human rights treaty prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in all areas of life. Read more....

New Allied Health Advisory Position - 9 September 2008

Allied health professionals today combined to congratulate the Minister of Health on
accepting recommendations which will mean that allied health professionals will be able to help more New Zealanders within the community. Read more...

Origins of an Association: Released 19 June 2008

“June marks the anniversary of the inaugural meeting in 1948 when four courageous and visionary occupational therapists met in a Lower Hutt home.  Hazel Skilton (nee Barton) threw in her casting vote in favour of setting up an independent professional association for occupational therapists.” says Elizabeth Rowland, current President of the New Zealand Association of Occupational Therapists. Read more.

Occupational Justice: Released 10 April 2008

Occupational therapists are challenged daily by working with the inequity of funding for New Zealanders disabled by illness, compared with those who have been injured says the President of the New Zealand Association of Occupational Therapists (NZAOT) Elizabeth Rowland. The Association opposes the anomalies created by the two tier ACC: Ministry of Health systems and urgently calls on Government to redress the inequities. Read more.