Auckland Seventh-Day Adventist H S
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.
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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