Chief Executive - Director

Sonia Bruce NZ Dip Bus, Dip. HR, Dip Accy, Cert Mass, Cert A&P, Cert Acute Prescribing

Sonia started with the College in 2003 and became the Chief Executive in 2005. In 2007 Sonia and her husband purchased the College and adopted the mission of "Supporting Your Journey to Success".

Sonia is responsible for the day to day management of the College. She is also responsible for ensuring the College is compliant with both Ministry of Education and NZQA requirements.

Sonia has studied with a distance education provider for the past five years and recently graduated with the National Diploma in Business and a Diploma in Accounting. Her experience studying via distance education places her in an ideal situation to understand how best to support students at NCNZ in their learning.

Sonia enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, reading, travelling and dining out!

Head of Education

Heather Lofthouse RN, RM, RHV, MSc

Heather is an experienced health practitioner and educator who has returned to her "home" in NZ after working for many years in the United Kingdom. She undertakes the role of Head of Education, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience in leadership, management, professional development, education and research from a career as a nurse, midwife, public health specialist and senior manager in the health services both here and abroad. Much of her work has focused on addressing health inequalities and improving the health and wellbeing of children, young people and families in our communities.

Heather is enthusiastic and committed to ensuring that there are high quality learning and development opportunities for our students, giving students the knowledge and skills to be successful practitioners. She lives in the seaside town of Oakura, where she enjoys walking on the beach and tending her expanding gardens. She also finds time for feltmaking, beading, yoga and singing in a local choir.

The Education Team

Roimata Takie Dip App Sci, Cert Mass, Cert HbT, Cert Adult Teaching

Roimata is a part time tutor of Human Anatomy and Physiology (and pathophysiology) at the College and also tutors at the Western Institute of Technology in Taranaki.

Tutoring anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology became a natural progression after spending many years working with diverse community organisations in the field of massage. She has resumed her massage practice at the Taranaki Thermal Spa where she has been a successful practitioner for the past 7 years.

Kelly Phillips Dip Nat, Dip Ayur. Med, Cert HbT, BP, Cert Adult Teaching

Kelly is a part time Naturopathic Tutor teaching Nutrition, Aromatherapy, Clinical Practice, Diagnostic Testing and Therapeutic Treatments. After qualifying in 2004 with a double diploma in Naturopathy and Ayurvedic Medicine, Kelly ran a private practice offering a fusion of Naturopathy, Ayurveda, BodyTalk and Body Therapies. Along with her husband Laine, she also founded a range of Herbal Teas and Chai Spice called Plant Song. Kelly is passionate about sharing knowledge and working together with students to facilitate their understanding of health. When not at work Kelly can be found playing with her daughter Ella or in the kitchen playing with her ferments.

Laine Phillips BSc, BP, Cert Adult Teaching

Laine tutors in Anatomy & Physiology and undertakes business development at the college. He has a BSc. in Microbiology from Massey University, working in hospital and research laboratories in his early career. He then spent several years working in the field of business sustainability, including a period as the Environmental Co-coordinator at Capital and Coast District Health Board.

In 2006, along with his wife Kelly, Laine founded the organic herbal tea business Plant Song. On moving to Taranaki in 2007 he set up New Plymouth's first BodyTalk practice, which he ran for 2 years prior to coming to NCNZ. When not at work Laine loves to blend his interests in healthcare and the environmental by spending time in the back yard with his family creating an abundant organic garden.

Nicola Swanson BA, Dip Nat, Dip MH, Cert HbT, Cert Adult Teaching

Nicola tutors in several subjects including Homeobotanicals, Nutrition, Tissue Salts, and Herbal papers. Nicola trained at Wellpark College where she qualified in Naturopathy and Medical Herbalism, and is now a Homeobotanical practitioner. Nicola has a private clinic where she utilises all her naturopathic and herbal training to help people facilitate their own healing processes. Previously Nicola ran sales divisions overseas for differing interests, and was a key account rep in the wine industry. After many years searching for a vocation that would stimulate her, and be of meaningful value to the world, she discovered Naturopathy and has never looked back!

Maggie Macnamara RHN

Maggie is a part-time tutor for Nutritional Sciences and comes to the College with a Diploma in Holistic Nutrition from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. Here she studied as a distance student, an experience that sets her in good stead for supporting our students. Maggie’s journey into natural healing began with the birth of her first child and a subsequent association with La Leche League. She has a background operating an organic farm producing market garden veggies and dairy goats in Canada, and has resided in New Zealand since 2004 with her son and Kiwi partner.

Maggie is very passionate about food quality and the difference that can make to our lives by improving what we eat. Her focus includes all age groups, from pre-natal care and breastfeeding right through to elder care. She lives just outside New Plymouth on a lifestyle block and is back on the self-sufficiency journey with an abundance gardens, orchard and animals

Liz Jury Dip Nat, Cert HbT, Cert Mass, Cert QRA, Cert Adult Teaching

Liz is a Naturopathic tutor, working in the areas of Homeobotanicals, Nutrition, Diagnostic Testing, Flower Essences and Zone Therapy. She also runs a practice from Village Health, working with a wide variety of clients, but specialising in Heavy Metal Detoxification and the use of QRA kinesiology. Liz is qualified Naturopath, Homeobotanical Therapist, Advanced QRA Kinesiologist, and holds a Diploma in Sacred Arts.

Liz co-writes and presents a radio show called the Holistic Hour every Monday, and is a founding member of a group of practitioners providing professional natural health care to children and teens by-donation. She has a love for teaching people to make simple changes in their lives which will facilitate a restoration of great health, and is fascinated in learning about the meeting of science and spirit. In her spare time she enjoys preparing delicious meals, learning from nature in the garden, going to the beach, and running around with her daughter Stella.

Laura Bowers BSc. (Hons), MRN, Cert ECBS, Cert Adult Teaching

Laura tutors Flower Essences, Hydotherapy, Lymphatic Drainage, Nutrition and Stress Management. Originally from the UK, Laura graduated with a degree in Complementary Medicine and ran a successful clinic in London before moving to New Zealand in 2008. She has a multi-disciplined background with training in Naturopathy, Bowen Technique, and most recently the First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand. Laura is also a Natural Family Planning teacher with an interest in fertility and pre-conception care.

Outside of work Laura and her husband have a small lifestyle section which they are developing according to the principles of sustainable living. They hope to use this experience to provide a happy upbringing for their young son and as a project for a Diploma in Permaculture.

Natalie Wallace Dip Nat

Natalie is a part time massage tutor. She is a qualified Naturopath, Massage Therapist, Homeobotanical Therapist, and holds a Bachelor in Social Science. Natalie ran a private massage business for over 16 years, and has also practiced as a Naturopath in a shared clinic in Wellington. Outside of work, Natalie is a mum of 2 busy sons and loves exploring the outdoors with them and her husband. She enjoys gardening, cycling, baking and getting lost in a good book.

Debbie Forsyth Dip Nat

Debbie Forsyth is a part time massage tutor and is qualified with a Diploma in Naturopathy. Debbie ran a mobile massage business for three years, and then opened The Health Haven, a massage/naturopathic clinic and health store in Opunake. She now manages the store along side her tutoring work at NCNZ. Debbie loves playing netball, basketball and getting out in Nature.

External Tutors

Pam Sole Dip. Hom.

Pam attained her diploma in homoeopathy through the Bay of Plenty College of Homoeopathy in 1994. As a tutor she draws upon 15 years of clinical practice and 20 years of teaching community courses in homoeopathy in the home. Her interest in Homeopathy had its beginnings with the care of her 5 children. Pam runs H.O.M.E (Homeopathy Online Mentoring and Education), where she mentors students learning homoeopathy. For NCNZ, she teaches the Homeopathy unit within the Diploma in Naturopathy.

Pam has always had a natural interest in health and wellbeing, and supports this by growing organic foods for herself, keeping fit and practicing meditation, yoga, tai chi and chi gong. She currently lives in Australia and returns to NZ each 3rd year workshop to tutor.

Jan Smith Dip. HAT

Jan is an Animal Naturopath, having completed her Diploma in Holistic Animal Therapies in 2006. She works in a number of roles, including in private practice as an Animal Naturopath, as Laboratory Technician for the Taranaki Regional Council and Inglewood High School, and as a tutor for the Certificate in Applied Complementary Animal Health for NCNZ. Jan enjoys many outdoor activities including gardening, cycling and orienteering, and lives on a lifestyle block near Egmont Village, Taranaki.

Administration and Student Support

Jana Slater CIBTAC

Jana is the Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive, Sonia Bruce, and also assists the Administration team. Jana originally trained in Beauty Therapy, but eventually found herself in a PA role, and has never looked back. She enjoys socialising, meeting new people and spending time with close friends and family.

Belinda Sewter

Belinda is our Enrolment Officer and handles all enrolments, public trust contracts, is responsible for processing student loans, training incentive allowances and sending out your notes. Belinda has had 22 years experience in administration work, as well as owning and managing her own business in the UK. She has qualified at the highest level of swimming coaching and leads a very active outside of work life, keeping fit and running around after three very active children.

Kimmie Warner

Kimmie is our Student Support Officer and monitors all students' progress throughout the year. Kimmie looks after extensions, changes to course status and withdrawals. Kimmie has a 20 year background in administration support services. In her spare time she likes to ride her Harley Davidson, especially in charity organised runs like the B.R.O.N.Z annual toy ride.

Angela Hill Dip. Tchg, BEd

Angela is our Receptionist and your first port of call when contacting us. She assists with general enquiries and will connect you to the person you need to speak to for everything else. Angela is committed to providing superior customer service, has a background in Primary School teaching and has also worked as an Office Administrator for an Herbalist in the UK. Outside of work she enjoys tending to her garden, spending quality time with family and friends and has a growing interest in developing her knowledge within the natural therapies field.