Photo caption: Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey, Vice-Chancellor Professor Cheryl de la Rey, Acting Executive Dean of Science Professor Matthew Turnbull and Clinical Psychology staff and students.
In response to Aotearoa New Zealand’s critical shortage of mental health professionals, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) is increasing its Clinical Psychology intake to 26 students from 2025.
Hon Matt Doocey, Minister for Mental Health, visited the University’s Ilam campus to celebrate the announcement, meeting with Tumu Whakarae Vice-Chancellor Professor Cheryl de la Rey, Acting Executive Dean of Science Professor Matthew Turnbull and Clinical Psychology staff and students to discuss the expansion and the importance of training future mental health professionals.
Professor De la Rey said the University is proud to play a role in addressing the significant workforce gap in mental health services, equipping more professionals with the skills and training needed to support the community.
“It’s quite an intensive selection process and many students apply each year, so I think this will be creating opportunities for more students. This will be a big step up,” she said.
“This Government is focused on increasing access to support, and growing the workforce is critical to this,” Doocey said.
UC has a proud history of innovation in clinical psychology training, having established New Zealand’s first programme in 1962. This latest expansion builds on a 30% intake increase in 2021 and reflects UC’s ongoing efforts to support the mental health needs of New Zealand.
The programme’s unique features include hands-on clinical training at the UC Psychology Centre, a teaching clinic that provides valuable assessment and intervention services.
UC also offers a variety of psychology pathways, including Child and Family Psychology, Industrial and Organisational Psychology, and Counselling, alongside its growing undergraduate offerings. Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills Hon Penny Simmonds also commended UC for its foresight.
“It is pleasing to see the University of Canterbury move on this and make ten additional spaces available in its programme,” Simmonds said.
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 - Good health and wellbeing.
