Edgewater College
Naturopath Kaihaumanu Hauora Aro Tini
Naturopaths diagnose and treat health problems with nutritional and lifestyle advice, herbal medicines and natural therapies.
Naturopaths may choose to register with the following associations:
- Clinical Nutrition Association (CNA)
- Natural Health Practitioners New Zealand (NHPNZ)
- Naturopaths & Medical Herbalists of New Zealand (NMHNZ)
- New Zealand Association of Medical Herbalists (NZAMH)
- New Zealand Natural Medicine Association (NZNMA).
Naturopaths may do some or all of the following:
- assess patients for emotional or physical problems
- recommend treatment plans
- provide dietary and lifestyle advice and guidelines
- provide physical treatments such as massage or acupuncture
- counsel patients
- check and document patients' progress through treatment plans
- refer patients to other health professionals or specialists if required.
Chinese Medicine Naturopath
To become a Chinese medicine naturopath it is recommended you have one of the following:
- Diploma of Chinese Herbal Medicine
- Bachelor of Health Science – Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (Level 7).
- New Zealand School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine website - qualifications in Chinese herbal medicine
- New Zealand College of Chinese Medicine website - Bachelor of Health Science (Chinese Medicine)
Nutrition Naturopath
To become a nutrition naturopath it is recommended you have one of the following:
- Advanced Diploma in Health Sciences – Naturopathy and Nutrition (Level 7)
- Bachelor of Natural Medicine
- Bachelor of Naturopathic and Herbal Medicine.
Kairongoā/Rongoā Māori practitioner
To become a rongoā Māori practitioner, the Heke Rongoā/Diploma of Māori Holistic Wellbeing can help you get started:
Physical Requirements
Naturopaths need to be reasonably fit and healthy. Naturopaths who do massage need to have strong arms.
Useful Experience
Useful experience for naturopaths includes:
- nursing
- counselling
- work in health food shops
- preparing medicinal food and dietary plans
- health industry or clinical work.
Personal Qualities
Naturopaths need to be:
- good at written and verbal communication
- good listeners
- well organised
- empathetic
- able to relate to people from a range of cultures and backgrounds.
Skills
Naturopaths need to have knowledge of:
- naturopathic medicine, physical therapies and counselling techniques
- nutrition and dietary theory and practice
- the human body and how it functions
- the concepts of holistic health, wellbeing and a healthy lifestyle.
Conditions
Naturopaths:
- usually work regular business hours, but may work evenings and weekends when required, or be on call
- work for health industry companies, natural health clinics, or in private practices
- may travel locally to meet patients.
Subject Recommendations
NCEA Level 3 is required to enter tertiary training. Useful subjects include chemistry, biology, English, maths and health education.
Related Options
Naturopaths can earn around $48K-$120K per year.
Pay for naturopaths varies depending on the number of hours they work, where they work, and how many clients they have.
- Naturopaths usually earn between minimum wage and $120,000 a year.
Source: Naturopaths and Medical Herbalists of New Zealand, 2021.
Naturopaths can specialise in a number of roles, including:
- Chinese medicine naturopath
- Chinese medicine naturopaths provide healing through traditional Chinese medicine and physical remedies such as cupping and acupuncture.
- Kairongoā/Rongoā Māori practitioner
- Rongoā practitioners provide healing through a holistic approach that can include rongoā rākau (Māori herbal medicine), physical therapy such as mirimiri, and spiritual work.
- Nutrition
- Naturopaths specialising in nutrition provide clients with nutritional advice on eating and natural supplements as well as exercise.
Years Of Training
2-3 years of training usually required.One degree is available in naturopathy:
- Bachelor of Natural Medicine
This certificate can provide a supportive pathway into the degree:
- Certificate in Study & Employment Pathways – Natural Medicine (Level 4)
For information see:
- South Pacific College of Natural Medicine website - information about the Bachelor of Natural Medicine
- South Pacific College of Natural Medicine website - information about the Certificate in Study & Employment Pathways
The Vulnerable Children Act 2014 means that if you have certain serious convictions, you can’t be employed in a role where you are responsible for, or work alone with, children.
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