Complaints & Concerns

The New Zealand Psychologists Board (NZPB) is mandated protect the health and safety of members of the New Zealand public in their dealings with psychologists.  A member of the public who has a concern about a psychologist is encouraged to first discuss their concern directly with the psychologist, if they feel they can do so safely and are comfortable doing this. Ask family, whānau, or friends to help you raise your concerns with the provider.

If that proves unsatisfactory, the Board recommends they contact the psychologist’s employer or contracting agency (e.g., ACC, or the Family Court) for assistance in resolving the concern.

Members of the public can contact the Board at any stage to discuss their concerns informally.

If members of the public subsequently decide to make a formal complaint (or notification where there are fitness or competence concerns), the Board will follow the process prescribed by the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (the Act).

Please note that the Board is only able to progress complaints about psychologists that are registered with us (or were registered at the time the concerns occurred). Complaints about other health practitioners need to be directed to the relevant regulatory authority for the type of practitioner they are eg. Medical Council of NZ for doctors/psychiatrists.

In addition, the Act makes it clear that the Board cannot investigate alleged conduct that occurred before a person was registered with the Board.