The Occupational Therapy Act of 1950 controls the training and registration of occupational therapists by the establishment of an Occupational Therapy Board which is responsible for the training syllabus, and the examining, registration, and discipline of occupational therapists. The training course is a three-year one, and only women are accepted for training. The training school is at the Oakley Hospital. In 1964 there were approximately 360 registered occupational therapists, all except 63 of whom were trained in New Zealand. Occupational therapy is in great demand for the treatment of a number of conditions, and there is a considerable shortage of occupational therapists.

An advisory occupational therapist is employed by the Department of Health.