Manahautū (Police Focus) Level 4

Put your knowledge into action with the New Zealand Police.

Working on the front lines of the New Zealand Police comes with a unique set of personal and professional challenges. Prepare for the Royal New Zealand Police College and beyond by developing and practicing your skills in a safe and supportive environment.

This programme has been designed with the New Zealand Police to meet the demands of policing in today's diverse society.

Level 4 focuses on putting your knowledge of diverse communities and personal wellbeing into practice through hands-on activities and real-life scenarios.

When you pass this programme, you'll get this qualification:

• Manahautū (New Zealand Certificate in Combined Services) Level 4

NOTE: Passing these qualifications does not guarantee you a space in the New Zealand Police. You will still need to complete and pass their application process.

• The New Zealand Police obligations to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori
• How to interact with different ethnic groups using cultural appropriateness and understanding
• Effective communication techniques with diverse communities and cultures
• How to apply knowledge of physical fitness and nutrition to create and achieve hauora goals
• Using emotional intelligence and models of wellness in personal and professional contexts.

• Analyse and apply understanding of cultural differences and worldviews to work with Māori and other ethnicities
• Assess and apply effective communication approaches to engage with diverse communities and sub-cultures
• Apply theoretical knowledge of hauora tinana to advance physical wellbeing
• Apply theoretical knowledge of hauora hinengaro to advance mental and emotional wellbeing.

To enrol in this programme, a potential student must:

• be at least 17 years of age
• be a New Zealand citizen or resident (or citizen of Australia, Tokelau, Niue or the Cook Islands
• reside in New Zealand
• be made aware of the entry requirements into the NZ Police and the demands of the programme
• complete a diagnostic pre-entry literacy and numeracy assessment to identify learning support requirements
• be able to demonstrate the ability to study at level 4 through previous educational and/or vocational experiences.

This is a full-time programme that consists of 60 credits, delivered over 20 weeks.

You’ll be required to attend:

• Kura whakaako – classes to be determined by kaiako (13.5 hours per week)
• 2 x 1-day wānanga (8 hours each)
• 2 x noho marae (22 hours each)

In addition to these attendance hours, you’ll be expected to complete activities designed to enhance your learning for approximately:

• 17 hours per week.

Some learning activities will need to be completed online. You’ll need to have access to an internet-connected device to participate in this programme.

I want to keep studying

If you want to do more study before applying for Police College, the world is your oyster! You could move into the fitness industry, teaching, trades and more.

I want to use my qualification

You’ll be ready to complete the Police Recruit Application and assessment. You’ll also be prepared to apply to the Armed Services, Corrections, Customs and more.

The 2026 fees for this programme are:

• $1,840 GST inclusive

Fees Free

Starting tertiary study or work-based learning for the first time? You may be able to get Fees Free after you complete your first eligible qualification or programme.

Fees Free covers the cost of your fees for the final year of study or final two years of work-based learning, up to $12,000.

When you enrol, you will need to pay your fees. To help you cover this cost, you may wish to apply for a student loan. Find out more at Student loan – StudyLink.

For more information on the eligibility requirements and when it is best to apply for Fees Free, visit Fees Free – Inland Revenue.

Aroā Ahurea (Cultural Awareness) | 15 Credits

Analyse and apply understanding of different ethnic groups to allow for cultural appropriateness and understanding of customs and protocols when interacting with these groups. There is also a focus on the impact of Te Tiriti o Waitangi on tangata whenua.

Ngā Ahurea Rerekē (Cultural Diversity) | 15 Credits

Apply understanding of diverse worldviews, values and principles, as well as assessing and applying effective communication techniques for diverse communities and sub-cultures.

Hauora Tinana (Physical Wellbeing) | 15 Credits

Apply knowledge of physical fitness and nutrition to create hauora goals to advance physical wellbeing in both a personal and professional context.

Hauora Hinengaro (Mental and Emotional Wellbeing) | 15 Credits

Select and apply concepts of emotional intelligence and effective communication in a personal and professional context. There is also a focus on using models of wellness in both personal and professional contexts.