South Pacific College of Natural Medicine - official

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South Pacific College of Natural Medicine - official Established in 1940, SPCNM is NZQA accredited to offer the qualification, BACHELOR OF NATURAL MEDICINE.

The South Pacific College of Natural Medicine (SPCNM) is New Zealand's first and foremost provider of natural health education programmes, taught by highly qualified and experienced educators in new purpose-built premises. The degree replaces all of the diplomas previously offered by the College. Graduates from the degree can practise as naturopaths and medical herbalists. Disclaimer:
The adminis

trator/s can control the privacy settings on the posts they make
The Library, Web & IT Manager has opted to allow for members who have ‘liked’ the page to respond to posts and make posts. However, the administration team can remove posts at any time if they are:
Not in accordance with the Code of Conduct
Offensive to clearly-named, clearly depicted individuals
Not conducive to the College’s professional image and professional objectives

Promotional and Commercial materials by associated friends of the College and alumni may be posted on the page, but these materials can be taken down by the administrators if they detract too much from the professional business of the College.

A big thanks to Weleda https://www.facebook.com/WeledaNZ/ for sponsoring the gorgeous products for our recent Immersion ...
16/03/2026

A big thanks to Weleda https://www.facebook.com/WeledaNZ/ for sponsoring the gorgeous products for our recent Immersion Day. The participants were delighted.

Saturday may have got off to a drizzly start but the weather gods were kind enough to bring on the sunshine for our firs...
15/03/2026

Saturday may have got off to a drizzly start but the weather gods were kind enough to bring on the sunshine for our first Immersion Day of the year. Perfect timing for students to enjoy the herb garden and make their own herbal tea under the guidance of course lecturer Emily Boese.

12/02/2026

How a herbalist identifies lemon balm.

Robyn Carruthers talks through what she looks for when identifying the plant.

Lemon balm, like any medicinal herb, can be misidentified.

Her advice is simple: don’t guess. Double-check with someone who knows the plant before you use it.



Salt Lake Swerve
by Amarent
Free Music Archive
CC BY 4.0
Track edited for length

03/02/2026

Healing is rarely linear.

Research in holistic and integrative health describes healing as a dynamic process, unfolding over time and often unevenly.

Lecturer and Clinic Supervisor, Philip Dowling reflects on what he’s seen again and again working with clients: people get better, then worse, then better again.

The body adapts in cycles, not straight lines.

What matters most is staying engaged with the process.


01/02/2026

Did you know there’s no restriction on who can call themselves a naturopath in New Zealand?

Anyone can call themselves a naturopath, but not everyone has formal training.

Natural medicines are widely thought of as safe. Still, they need to be used thoughtfully, especially if someone is on other medications.

Being connected to a professional association and holding the right qualification matters. It’s about knowing who you’re trusting with your wellbeing.

27/01/2026

Studying while raising a family isn’t easy, but the right structure can make it possible.

Antonia’s story reflects what many students experience when balancing study with work and family life. Having flexibility in how the first part of her degree was structured allowed learning to fit alongside everyday responsibilities.

As she shares, when you’re studying something you truly love, the journey itself becomes part of the reward.



What We Want
by Johannes Weber x Fachhochschule Dortmund
Free Music Archive
CC BY 4.0
Track edited for length

24/01/2026

Antonia’s Story | Part One

For many parents, there’s a moment where you realise that what you’ve been doing, even with the best intentions, just isn’t working.

SPCNM graduate Antonia Scott reflects on the moment her understanding of health began to change, and how learning more about the body reshaped the way she supported her family.

Follow for part two of Antonia’s journey 💜



What We Want
by Johannes Weber x Fachhochschule Dortmund
Free Music Archive
CC BY 4.0
Track edited for length

21/01/2026

Things your microbiome wants you to know…
including how to care for this remarkable inner world you live with every day.

Paige beautifully demonstrates 'practitioner as teacher', helping people connect with the body’s incredible intelligence and interconnectedness.



Team Spirit Rise
by Yuri Megis
Free Music Archive
CC BY 4.0
Track edited for length and flow.

14/01/2026

Portion sizes, made simple.

A quick, hands-on way to visualise portion sizes. No tracking needed, just simple gestures you can use at every meal. Encouraging connection with your body and a mindful approach to food.

Thanks Sarah Olsen 💜



Happy Acoustic Pop Folk
by Music for Creators
Free Music Archive
CC BY 4.0
Track edited for length.

Welcome back to campus and to a new academic year at SPCNM.To our returning students, whether you’re stepping into Year ...
14/01/2026

Welcome back to campus and to a new academic year at SPCNM.

To our returning students, whether you’re stepping into Year 2 of the NZ Diploma of Holistic Nutrition, Year 2 or 3 of the Bachelor of Natural Medicine, or continuing your studies through personal interest pathways, it’s great to have you back.
To our new students, nau mai, haere mai. Whether you are joining us on campus or online from somewhere in Aotearoa, we’re so pleased you’re here.

If you’re in your final year or just starting out, this is a year to fully immerse yourself. Ask questions, spend time in the gardens, connect with your peers, and soak up the learning, both in and out of the classroom. These years pass quickly, and they shape not just your clinical knowledge, but how you show up as a practitioner.

2026 begins in the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac, a symbol of energy, forward movement, dedication, and purpose. It’s a year that rewards consistency, passion, and steady effort, qualities that sit at the heart of studying and practising natural medicine.

We’re looking forward to supporting you through a year of growth, challenge, and meaningful learning.
Nau mai, haere mai ki te tau hou.

12/01/2026

Fennel was once described as “making fat people lean.”

Interestingly, modern herbal literature describes fennel as orexigenic, meaning it may encourage appetite rather than suppress it.

This apparent contradiction starts to make more sense when we consider fennel’s long history. Across cultures, people have always used fennel with food and digestion, as part of their daily routines.

As experienced herbalist Karen Mees shares, her take is that fennel can support a balanced appetite.



Electronic Chill
by Pro Tunes - Copyright Safe Music
Free Music Archive
CC BY 4.0
Track edited for length.

10/01/2026

Do you understand your health condition?

Paige Dunlop, BNatMed, BSc (Microbiology), talks about one of her favourite parts of being a practitioner: sitting with someone, mapping out the body’s systems visually, and explaining how they function in a way that finally makes sense.

For example, she often sees clients who have been on thyroid medications for many years but don’t fully understand how their thyroid works or how the medications interact with their body. Helping them see the full picture in a clear, relatable way is something she truly loves about her work.

Paige’s initial studies in microbiology were reinforced when she completed her Bachelor of Natural Medicine at SPCNM. Our degree programme is grounded in conventional science, including anatomy & physiology, pathophysiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology. This solid scientific understanding allows Paige to confidently work with clients, helping them see how different parts of the body connect and how commonly used medications function.

This reflects the natural medicine principle of practitioner as teacher, where education is central, and understanding the body is part of the health journey, not something left out of it.

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Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 18:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 18:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 18:00
Thursday 09:00 - 18:00
Friday 09:00 - 18:00

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+6495794997

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Established in 1967, SPCNM is NZQA accredited to offer the qualification, BACHELOR OF NATURAL MEDICINE. The degree replaces all of the diplomas previously offered by the College. Graduates from the degree can practise as naturopaths and medical herbalists. Disclaimer: The administrator/s can control the privacy settings on the posts they make The Library, Web & IT Manager has opted to allow for members who have ‘liked’ the page to respond to posts and make posts. However, the administration team can remove posts at any time if they are: Not in accordance with the Code of Conduct Offensive to clearly-named, clearly depicted individuals Not conducive to the College’s professional image and professional objectives Promotional and Commercial materials by associated friends of the College and alumni may be posted on the page, but these materials can be taken down by the administrators if they detract too much from the professional business of the College.