Home > Academics > Programme List > Post Graduate Qualifications > The Graduate Certificate in Chinese Medicine (Tuina Massage)
Approved and accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, is designed for students who wish to become practitioners of traditional Chinese Medicine Massage (Tuina)Therapy.
Enrolling now for the February 2026 intake of this new graduate certificate qualification.
A 10% tuition discount for the February 2026 intake is available for new enrolments in the Graduate Certificate in Chinese Medicine (Tuina Massage) course made before 9 January 2026.
On completion of the programme, graduates will have the knowledge, practical skills, and behavioural attributes, within the Chinese Medicine worldview, to practise within safe, lawful, and professional boundaries in a manner that is culturally appropriate in Aotearoa New Zealand. They will have an enhanced ability to acquire relevant new skills in a rapidly changing healthcare environment. Graduates will have the ability to expand their scope of practice as an acupuncturist or herbalist to encompass Tuina Massage Therapy and the academic base required for further tertiary study in a variety of health and/or policy fields (education outcome) dependent on the requirements of each educational institute.
The aim of this programme is to prepare people who hold a Bachelor of Health Science (Acupuncture or Herbal Medicine or both) or equivalent to extend the scope of their practice in the field of Chinese Medicine (Tuina Massage) and to enable them to work independently, safely, ethically and competently within the Aotearoa New Zealand healthcare environment by integrating both Chinese Medicine diagnostic and treatment skills, especially Tuina Massage with Western Medicine diagnostic skills for the clinical management of various disorders.
Enable students to master the application of manipulation in Tuina; prepare students to be clinical practitioners, by further developing their practical and diagnostic skills used in Tuina as they prepare for their supervised clinical practicum experience.
Prepare students for taking on the responsibilities of patient care in clinical practice, support and guide them through clinical decision-making, and strengthen their clinical capability and competency by using Tuina skills.
Acquire and critically apply and examine the theoretical and practical understanding of musculoskeletal conditions, internal disorders, and gynaecological and paediatric problems for diagnosis, differentiation, and clinical management by using Tuina therapy in Chinese Medicine.
In ancient China, medical therapy was often classified as ‘internal’ or ‘external’. Tuina, a form of ‘hands-on’ Chinese Manipulative Therapy, is an external method especially suitable for use on people of all ages in conjunction with acupuncture, moxibustion and cupping. Tuina has been gaining international attention because it is a very effective therapy for arthritis, pain, sciatica and muscle spasms. Other benefits of this massage therapy include the alleviation of stress-related disorders like insomnia, constipation, headaches and other disorders related to the digestive, respiratory and reproductive systems.
This complementary and alternative Chinese medicine modality makes use of rhythmic compression techniques along different energy channels of the body to establish harmonious flow of Qi throughout the body and bring it back to balance. By applying pressure to meridians, acupoints, and groups of muscles and nerves, Tuina removes blockages and works deeply with the positive energy of the body.
The best part of the therapy is that it relaxes as well as energizes the person. The main benefit of Tuina Massage is that it focuses on the specific problem, whether it is an acute or a chronic pain associated with the joints, muscles or a skeletal system.
The greatest advantage of Tuina is that it focuses on maintaining overall balance with both physical and mental health. Several hospitals in China now include Tuina as a standard aspect of treatment.
Enables students to master the application of manipulation in Tuina, and prepare students to be clinical practitioners, by further developing their practical and diagnostic skills using din Tuina as they prepare for their supervised practicum experience. Prepare students for taking on responsibilities of patient care in clinical practice, support and guide them through clinical decision-making, and strengthen their clinical capability and competency by using Tuina skills. Acquire and critically apply and examine the theoretical and practical understanding of musculoskeletal conditions, internal disorders, and gynaecological and paediatric problems for diagnosis, differentiation, and clinical management by using Tuina therapy in Chinese Medicine.
| Course Code | Course Title | Level | Credits |
| GTN701 | Tuina Practice | 7 | 15 |
| GTN702 | Tuina Clinical Practice | 7 | 25 |
| GTN801 | Tuina Clinical Science 1 | 8 | 20 |
This programme is open to all graduates holding a Bachelor of Health Science degree in acupuncture or Chinese medicine.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate the appropriate motivation, attitudes and attributes required to successfully study in this programme. Applicants must be physically capable of completing the programme. Applicants must also be independently mobile and not require assistance from another person or device to undertake clinical practice experience.
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree with either a major in Herbal Medicine or Acupuncture with at least 360 credits or equivalent (equivalent means a level 7 Diploma in Acupuncture or Chinese Medicine with at least 360 credits with minimum recent continuous five years of relevant working experience) from institutions either in Aotearoa New Zealand or abroad.
* The minimum age to enter this programme is 20 years.
* Applicants must supply names and contact details for two referees who are not family or next of kin.
* Applicants must declare any health issues or disability in order to enable NZCCM to consider whether appropriate support can be provided and the likelihood of the applicant’s ability to meet professional requirements and practice independently on completion of the programme.
* Applicants must consent to the completion of a Police Vetting check.
* Applicants will be required to consent to the disclosure of criminal convictions and safety checks required by the Children’s Act 2014 (VCA Act).
An applicant whose first language is not English shall produce evidence to show that they have English Language Competency at least equivalent to the New Zealand University Entrance requirements and of a level of proficiency and capability to enable them to be successful in their studies.
Show English Language Competency to a minimum of 6.0 overall with no band score lower than 5.5 on the IELTS academic test with test results being current, obtained from one test and taken within 2 years of the application date or equivalent (any other NZQA recognised international test) is a requirement.
Applicants will be required to attend an interview to determine their suitability for the programme.
Where face to face interviews are not possible remote applicants will be required to use technology such as videoconferencing.
During the interview the applicant will be assessed against the following aspects to determine their admission to the programme:
Final approvals are made by the Masters Management Committee and are subject to: verification of documents, capability to complete the programme and availability of programme places.
Fees for this one semester programme are:
Domestic $ 6,067.00
International $12,720.00
0064 9 5802376
auck@chinesemedicine.ac.nz
321 Great South Road, Greenlane,
Auckland, New Zealand
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MASTER OF CHINESE MEDICINE – LEVEL 9 – 180 credits
DURATION – 18 months full time or 3 years part-time
