Overview
We are a multidisciplinary school focusing on advancing knowledge and practice of health and wellbeing through te Tiriti o Waitangi-led research and teaching. We uphold te Tiriti principles through our practices.
In our teaching and research, we embrace biological and clinical sciences and public health disciplines such as:
- environmental health
- occupational health and safety
- health promotion
- health services navigation
- mental health and addiction
- integrated human health.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi at Massey
We are deeply committed to being a Tiriti-led university, demonstrating authentic leadership in contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand as we uphold te Tiriti o Waitangi, the founding document of our nation, and its principles through our practice. We embrace this not just as an obligation but as a real opportunity for the nation and its people.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi ki Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – The Treaty of Waitangi at Massey
Study with us
Choose from a range of qualifications in public health or the biological and clinical sciences.
Explore by area of interest
Explore a selection of qualifications relating to your interests.
Study biological & natural sciences
Devise new ideas and technologies for agribusiness, biotechnology, conservation, energy or healthcare. World-class lecturers. Learn more today.
Study environmental and occupational health
Delve into factors affecting health and wellbeing — from air and water quality to housing, climate change to health and safety at work.
Study psychology & mental health
Delve into human behaviour and how the brain works. Apply skills in different careers or specialise to be a psychologist or mental health professional.
Study public health
Improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, whānau and communities. Be part of the next generation of public health professionals, starting now.
Associate Professor Rachel Page
Rachel Page has over 25 years of experience in leadership, learning and teaching. Her research focuses on preventing and improving health outcomes, especially in areas of noncommunicable diseases. Rachel loves making science relevant to students at all levels of academia.
Research
Our research focuses on the science of promoting health, improving quality of life and our environment, and reducing health inequalities and disease for individuals, whānau and communities.
Research expertise
Examples of how our academics create and share new knowledge.
Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health
School of Health Sciences researchers have broad expertise in the metabolic, biochemical, genetic and physiological factors that underlie cardiovascular and cerebrovascular function.
Staff: Blake Perry, Barry Palmer, Rachel Page.
Food and bioactives
Our research demonstrates the health benefits of:
- bioactive ingredients such as antioxidants and probiotics
- foods such as milk, fermented products, fruits, beverages.
We examine the bioactive effects on immune function, gut function, blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, maternal health, sports performance and more.
Staff: Kay Rutherfurd-Markwick, Rachel Page, Marlena Kruger, Sharon Henare, Martin Dickens, Kaio Vitzel, Cheryl Gammon, Judy Thomas, Beth Mallard.
Infectious diseases
Our research focuses on molecular epidemiology of sexually transmitted diseases, molecular diagnostics, human papilloma virus and cervical cancer, environmental drivers of antimicrobial resistance (AR) and AR detection, and antibiotic stewardship.
Staff: Collette Bromhead, Barry Palmer.
Public health and health promotion
Our researchers advocate for improved health outcomes for individuals, whānau and communities. Our work influences national and international health agendas.
Our expertise includes disability and rehabilitation, food security, environmental health, hauora Māori, maternal and child health, mental health and addiction, and occupational health and safety.
Staff: Andy Towers, Suzanne Phibbs, Christina Severinsen, Linda Murray, Geoff Kira, Bevan Erueti, Gretchen Good, Christine Roseveare, Watt Page, Nick Kim, Carol Stewart, Ian laird, Ravi Reddy.
Research centre
Our research centre seeks innovative solutions to contemporary issues.
Sleep/Wake Research Centre
The centre advances and applies scientific knowledge about sleep, waking and how these are regulated by the circadian body clock. As well as academic research and teaching, we offer consultancy services and expert advice to government, industries and unions.
Location: Wellington
Meet our graduates
“Studying extramurally at Massey University enabled me to pace my study within other commitments and gave me access to experienced supervisors. I could largely independently pace my work providing I stayed within our set timelines. The knowledge I gained has contributed largely to my governance and director roles.”
“I chose to study at Massey because of the high calibre of supervisors in the Master of Public Health programme. My decision proved to be right as I had a supervisor who had the knowledge and expertise to effectively support my academic journey.”
“The combination of my work experience and a health and safety qualification has enabled me to really engage with people across the hierarchy of organisations I have been associated with. It has benefited me in terms of career development and acceptance in workplaces.”
Accreditations and rankings
Environmental Health Officers Qualifications Regulations 1993
Our environmental health qualifications are recognised by the Ministry of Health as meeting qualification requirements for environmental health officers. Our qualifications are also recognised as suitable background for employment of Environmental Health Officers in Australia.
Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)
Our Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety and Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Health & Safety) are accredited by IOSH, a global professional body based in the UK. Completing this qualification meets the academic requirement for Graduate Membership to IOSH. Membership leads to registration as an OHS practitioner.
IUHPE Accreditation
The Mental Health Promotion Pathway in the Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health and Addiction) and the Bachelor of Health Science (Health Promotion) are accredited by the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE). Graduates are eligible to apply to IUHPE to become registered Health Promotion Practitioners.
New Zealand Performance-Based Research Fund Rankings
In the latest PBRF Rankings 2018, Massey achieved research excellence relative to other New Zealand universities in the subject area of other health studies.
DAPAANZ - Drug and Alcohol Practitioners Association of Aotearoa New Zealand
The Addiction Practitioner Pathway in the Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health and Addiction) is accredited by the Drug and Alcohol Practitioners Association of Aotearoa New Zealand (DAPAANZ). Graduates are eligible to apply for provisional registration to work in the sector as addiction practitioner.
APHEA Validated Curriculum
The Agency for Public Health Education Accreditation (APHEA) has validated Massey's Master of Public Health as adhering to international standards for a modern comprehensive degree in public health.
What our students say
“Massey has provided me with the course I want to do, at the place I want to do it. With all the support provided, I don't feel like a distance student and I never feel like I'm in it alone.”
“My studies have taught me that you don’t need to be a veterinarian to help animals; Physiology is a broad degree with many possible routes which all have a focus on improving the health of humans and animals.”
“I recommend studying at Massey University because it allowed me to learn about everything that contributes to health and wellbeing, but also the real world application of this knowledge that allows you to work in the health field.”
Contact the School of Health Sciences
We teach online and by distance, and on all three Massey campuses: Auckland, Manawatū (Palmerston North) and Wellington.
School of Health Sciences – Auckland campus
- Location
Use our Auckland campus maps or find us on Google Maps.
School of Health Sciences – Manawatū campus
- Location
Use our Manawatū campus maps or find us on Google Maps.
School of Health Sciences – Wellington campus
- Location
Use our Wellington campus maps
Looking for a staff member? Visit our staff directory or use Expertise search.