Meet The Board

Bernadette Bekker has been an executive member of the NHPNZ board for the past couple of years and is the current chairperson for the NHPNZ. With a background as registrar assisting applicants to meet the standards required to be registered for either natural medicine or natural therapies.

Bernadette has also worked on CPE [Continuing Professional Education] options. To assist professional associations and direct registration members for ongoing professional educational hours.

Bernadette was president of Naturopaths NZ before the  organisation merged to become the NMHNZ [Naturopaths & Medical Herbalist of NZ]. She is also a past president of the Homeobotanical Institute.

Marion is a Certified Energy Kinesiology Practitioner and a Registered Natural Health Practitioner. She holds a position on the NHPNZ Executive Board as the PA Representative. She is the New Zealand Faculty for Neuro-Linguistic Kinesiology. She is also the secretary of the Kinesiology Association of New Zealand.

As well as running practitioner-training courses Marion currently consults on a one-to-one basis.

Since retiring as a Medical Oncology Consultant in May 2020, Anna has completed fellowships in Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (FACNEM) and Lifestyle Medicine (FASLM).

She has completed a 12 month Tikanga Maori course at Te Wananga O Aotearoa and also completed Marine Biology and Seismology diplomas with distinction. Anna is a member of the Nga Tikanga Maori Law Society, and presently served as the Deputy Chairperson of the Wakaminenga Health Council which has been established as a health regulator in the sovereign jurisdiction of Aotearoa Nu Tireni in affiliation with the Confederation of United Tribes.

In 2021, Anna started a telehealth practice known as Holistic Oncologist where she uses her understanding of “mainstream” therapies”, nutritional, and lifestyle therapies to help patients navigate their cancer diagnosis from a position of knowledge and power. When she is not challenging the misinformed murmurations of the mainstream media, Anna enjoys walking at the Mount, mountain biking, or hanging out with her horses

Business Owner & Therapist at Natural Pet Remedies Store + Clinic Naturopathic/Lymphodema/Bowen

Debs has been involved in natural health since 1986 and later trained as a therapist in varied modalities.

2001 she produced an online range of natural herbals, creams and supplements for clients then sold the business in 2017. She kept the 6 pet products out of the sale and re-branded under the name Natural Pet Remedies Store in 2018.

Debs is currently the Secretary of The Homeobotanical Institute Inc and your Executive Board see her as a great addition to our team.

Franciska is a Mind-Body Wellness Coach and postgraduate student of Health Psychology. She is passionate about social justice with a special interest in chronic and life-limiting illnesses and end of life. Professionally, she gains immense satisfaction from helping individuals manage and overcome issues such as anxiety, grief, trauma, low moods, poor self-esteem, and improving their relationships.

With a foundation in business management, finance, human resources, marketing, web design, and copywriting, Franciska retrained later in life as a therapist and holds many years of experience in governance roles – working on committees, executive boards, and leadership teams for various community and professional associations. (She has previously served two terms on the NHPNZ Executive Board.)

Born in Budapest, Hungary, Franciska came to Aotearoa New Zealand in 1983 as a political refugee; and after over three decades living in Auckland, now calls Christchurch home.

Since 1995, Sandra has been the main tutor and creator of Lotus College of Natural Therapies. Sandra is a current member of our organisation.

She has a wide knowledge of different modalities and is registered with us under Esoteric Psychology, Relationship Counselling, Reiki, Remedial BodyWork and Nutrition.

Sharyn is a current member registered under Aromatherapy. She has been working in this field for the past 20 years. She has a clinic in Dunedin where she offers client treatments that are based on the use of essential oils to assist in enhancing physical, emotional and spiritual well-being that are beneficial for replenishing and restoring harmony and balance, relieving physical tension, aiding relaxation, supporting emotional well-being and keeping energy levels vibrant and clear.

Sharyn has a graduate diploma in Not for Profit Management (UNITEC NZ). She was employed in a national management position for a social service organisation for 18 years and has been in the Governance Board for the Otago Farmers Market Trust for eight years and is currently the Chairperson.

Tony currently works as the General Manager for the Naturopathic College of New Zealand (NCNZ) and Cornerstone Education. They provide online training to over 2000 students.

As a director for Aspire2 Tony is also responsible for Quality Assurance for the group (8 Private Training establishments)

With a background in education Tony is a member of ITENZ academic leader’s group and a foundation member of the Australian NZ Naturopath Training providers forum.

He has also worked as a team leader inside NZQA and consulted on qualifications and programmes in many different fields.

Although not qualified in natural medicine Tony has strong interest in natural healing and intuition training. He spends his weekends taking workshops in these fields and leading groups.