title: New Zealand Society of Physiotherapists
text: # New Zealand Society of Physiotherapists
  
  The New Zealand Society of Physiotherapists (NZSP) is a professional body of physiotherapists in New Zealand. Membership of the society is optional, but demonstrates that a particular practitioner upholds certain standards including adherence to a code of conduct. Individuals who meet certain criteria may indicate their membership by using the letters MNZSP or FNZSP after their names.
  
  ## History
  
  The society was established in 1950.
  
  ## Membership classes
  
  * Member: Must be a New Zealand registered physiotherapist. A member may use the letters 'MNZSP' to indicate their membership.
  * Associate: This is the class held by a student who wishes to join the society.
  * Affiliate: A physiotherapy assistant working under supervision of a registered physiotherapist may hold this class.
  * Fellow: This class is bestowed upon members at the discretion of the society. Those with this class of membership may use the letters FNZSP.
  
  ## Motto
  
  The motto, in Māori, is "kia akotahi tatou, kia kotahi ra" (let's learn and grow together).
  
  ## Branches
  
  The society is made up of branches which represent geographical regions around the country. Each member of the society belongs to and is represented by a branch for the region in which they reside.
  
  The branches are:
  
  * Auckland
  * Canterbury
  * Hawkes Bay
  * Middle Districts
  * Nelson and Marlborough
  * Northland
  * North Shore
  * Otago
  * Southland
  * Waikato and Bay of Plenty
  * Wellington
  
  ## Special interest groups
  
  The society also supports a number of groups of practitioners who are interested in particular specialities within the profession. Membership of a special interest group is optional.
  
  The following special interest groups exist:
  
  * Cardiothoracic
  * Continence and Women's Health
  * Hand Therapists
  * Neurology
  * New Zealand Manipulative Physiotherapists Association
  * New Zealand Private Physiotherapy Association
  * New Zealand Sports and Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Association
  * Occupational Health
  * Paediatric
  * Physiotherapy Acupuncture Association of New Zealand
  * Physiotherapy for the Older Adult
  * Stress Management and Related Therapies
  