Occupational therapy, also known as Whakaora Ngangahau, is the practice of helping people engage in meaningful daily activities. These activities, called occupations, include self-care, leisure, and social contributions.

Occupational therapists, or Kaiwhakaora Ngangahau, work with individuals, families, and communities to improve health, well-being, and participation in daily activities. This involves understanding the person’s mind (hinengaro), body (tinana), soul/spirit (wairua) and social context / family (whanau) and whenua (place /land)
The main goal of occupational therapy is to enable individuals and families to live fulfilling lives through occupation and social inclusion. This is achieved by working together to address barriers to participation, such as cultural, educational, social, and other barriers related to health, disability, spirituality, and sustainability.
Occupational therapists may adapt the occupation or environment to better support engagement in meaningful activities. Occupational therapy services are available for individuals with health conditions, disabilities, injuries, or risks to health, as well as those facing social or environmental barriers to participating in meaningful occupations.
Assessment
To develop your treatment plan, we will conduct an assessment in your home and/or workplace. The goal of this assessment is to identify potential barriers that may prevent you from engaging in your daily activities. These assessments may include observation of tasks, discussions, and various globally utilized assessment tools. Working with you and your family/employers, we will develop a plan to help you achieve your goals.

Referrals

• Accessing the community
• You might be referred for occupational therapy if you are having difficulty completing activities such as:
• Household tasks, like making the bed, cleaning, cooking or doing the laundry
• Dressing, showering
• Working
• Taking part in leisure activities such as sports or hobbies