The School of Psychotherapy was established in 1989 to provide the first formal qualification available in psychotherapy in New Zealand. The Diploma in Psychotherapy was upgraded in 1996 to a Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy and from the year 2000 professional qualifications in psychotherapy have been offered within the Master of Health Science programme. The psychotherapy course "is widely acknowledged as the most innovative and progressive in New Zealand, the first choice of well informed students." (Psychotherapy in Australia, Vol 5 No4 August 1999). The School has grown and developed to a point where we now offer programmes from pre-entry training through to post qualifying, post experience degrees at both Masters and PhD level. The School offers education and training for those who wish to work as Mental Health Support Workers, as caseworkers in the field of violence and trauma or as professional psychotherapists.

The School of Psychology offered the first intake into the Bachelor of Health Science in Psychology in 2002, and this popular programme has rapidly been expanded to allow for a double major in Psychology and Health Promotion or a conjoint Bachelor of Health Science in Psychology/Bachelor of Business degree. Whilst the degree covers traditional areas of psychology, there is an emphasis on an interpersonal approach and the development of emotional intelligence.

The School of Oral Health was established to ensure that the urgent demand for trained dental therapists could be met. The first intake of students was in 2002 and students have access to an on-site dental laboratory for the development of clinical skills, and access to two fully equipped community clinics provided in partnership with the Auckland Regional Dental Service. The education provided by skilled and experienced dental lecturers is supported by clinical educators who are employed in joint appointments with Waitemata District Health Board.

The School of Foundation Studies has taken responsibility for expanding the opportunities available to students who wish to meet university criteria for entry to undergraduate level study. The School had a total intake of over 250 students into the Certificate in Health Care in 2003, providing the opportunity for students to gain the confidence, skills and ability to succeed in health professional degree level study in a university environment.

The National Centre for Health and Social Ethics is a research, teaching and consultancy centre devoted to the study of health and social ethics. The staff of the Centre promote clear and compassionate thinking about all aspects of health and social care to improve practice for the givers and receivers of care. In particular, the National Centre pursues scholarship and research in applied ethics and health care analysis, teaches related postgraduate and undergraduate courses, organises seminars and conferences, conducts short courses and workshops and undertakes a range of consultancies. The Centre offers tuition at all levels - from undergraduate to PhD - and specifically awards a Postgraduate Certificate in Health Care Ethics. Also, the Centre has responsibility for the delivery of the Bachelor of Health Science in Health Promotion.

The National Institute for Public Health and Mental Health Research comprises five research centres plus a number of other research programmes. The research centres are the: Taupua Waiora - Centre for Maori Health Research, Centre for Pacific Health and Development Research (major research programme includes the Pacific Islands Families Study), the Gambling Research Centre, Centre for Asian and Migrant Health Research, and Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research. The other research programmes comprise: Contemporary Families Research, Oral Health Research and Mental Health Research. The mission of the institute is to conduct high quality public and mental health research that contributes to the reduction of health disparities, improves the health of New Zealanders and generates and extends knowledge.