Occupational Science: Adding Value to Occupational Therapy (Report‪)‬

Introduction Simply put, occupational science is the formal study of the things people do; making a cup of tea, singing in a choir, working the night shift. In this article, we describe how studying ordinary occupations such as these supports the practice of occupational therapy. To do that we address the basic questions people bring to any new endeavour: What is it? Where did it come from? How is it useful? What happens next? In addressing these questions, we have an unashamed bias towards New Zealand research and literature, believing that ideas from overseas are not integrated into practice until they have been tested in our own context. We also draw on our own scholarship and practice examples of local therapists, demonstrating that New Zealand has a stake in creating and applying this emerging science.