Keeping Connected Session – Wellington
James Cook Hotel | 10 February 2026
Thank you to everyone who attended the Keeping Connected session held in Wellington. The session provided an opportunity for the Board and Secretariat to connect directly with registrants, share updates on current and upcoming regulatory work, and hear feedback and questions from the profession.
Topics discussed included the Board’s role and regulatory responsibilities, workforce demographics, complaints and conduct trends, the Psychology Assistant role, the online CCP migration, developments relating to the Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics, and the Board’s ongoing focus on regulatory excellence and organisational sustainability.
The questions and responses captured below reflect themes raised during the discussion and are intended to support ongoing transparency and communication with the profession.
Q: Will all Psychology Assistant programmes have the same entry requirements?
A: No. The Board will look to prescribe the high-level qualification requirements. However tertiary education providers may have different programme structures and entry requirements.
Q: Who will undertake accreditation of Psychology Assistant programmes?
A: Accreditation will be undertaken through the Board’s accreditation processes, supported by accreditation panels established for this purpose.
Q: Who sits on the Accreditation Committee and accreditation panels?
A: The Accreditation Committee includes Board-appointed members with expertise in psychology education, regulation, practice, and accreditation processes. Accreditation panels are established for each accreditation review and may include a mix of practitioners, educators, cultural advisors, and other relevant expertise.
Q: Will only practitioners audited for CCP be able to view their uploaded material?
A: No. Practitioners will always be able to access and update their own CCP information within the Practitioner Portal. If selected for audit, authorised auditors will also be able to view the submitted material as part of the audit process.
Q: Can practitioners download or print their CCP information?
A: The intention is that practitioners will be able to access and retain copies of their own CCP information. Functionality may continue to develop over time.
Q: Who decides which professional bodies are appropriate for ethical advice or support?
A: The Board does not prescribe a single professional body. Practitioners are encouraged to seek support from their own professional associations, supervisors, peer groups, insurers, or other appropriate professional supports relevant to their area of practice.
Q: Are professional bodies equipped to provide ethical guidance and support?
A: Professional bodies play an important role in supporting practitioners with professional and ethical reflection, peer discussions, and professional development. The Board’s role remains focused on regulation and public protection.
Q: Will practitioners in rural or isolated areas be disadvantaged by the move away from Board psychology advisors providing ethical guidance?
A: The Board acknowledges the importance of access to professional support, particularly for practitioners working in isolated settings. Practitioners are encouraged to utilise supervisors, peer consultation, professional bodies, and other professional networks to support ethical and reflective practice.
Q: How will the Board communicate changes around professional support and ethical guidance?
A: The Board will continue to communicate changes through Pānui updates, website updates, and stakeholder engagement sessions.
Q: What role will the Psychology Advisors/Psychology Specialists have going forward?
A: The Psychology Specialist roles are focused on supporting regulatory functions, including registration, standards, complaints, competence, and conduct matters. The Board no longer provides individualised ethical or clinical advice to practitioners.
Q: Is the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists prepared for these changes and what commitments have been made?
A: The Board continues to engage with professional bodies and stakeholders regarding system and process changes. Professional bodies remain independent organisations responsible for determining how they support their members.
Q: How will the Board know whether the changes are having the desired effect?
A: The Board will continue to monitor implementation, stakeholder feedback, operational impacts, and system performance as changes are embedded.
Q: What protections are in place around confidentiality and privacy within CCP Online?
A: CCP information is intended to remain accessible only to the practitioner and, if selected for audit, authorised auditors. Access is restricted and managed in accordance with the Board’s privacy and information management processes.
Q: Who should practitioners contact if they have concerns or questions?
A: Practitioners can contact the Board directly regarding regulatory or process matters. For ethical reflection, clinical advice, or professional support, practitioners are encouraged to contact supervisors, peer groups, or professional bodies.
Q: Practitioners noted uncertainty following recent Secretariat changes. How is the Board responding?
A: The Board acknowledges that recent changes created uncertainty for some practitioners. The Secretariat is continuing to stabilise processes and communication, with a focus on ensuring continuity of core regulatory functions and clearer communication going forward.