Professional Registration - NSNZ Register of Nutritionists
Registration recognises nutritionists who have relevant qualifications (as determined by the NSNZ registration panel), work experience, a high standard of professional conduct and a commitment to continued professional development.
Registration enables New Zealanders to identify those nutritionists with qualifications and experience whose credentials have been accepted by the Registration Panel of the Nutrition Society of NZ.
Registered Nutritionists are registered in their field of expertise as determined by the Registration Panel (see below for fields of expertise).
There are two categories of professional accreditation:
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Registered Nutritionist
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Associate Registered Nutritionist.
Use this file for full details of the Registration Categories explained in detail.
Applications for Registration (including re-regn and Associate) are accepted twice a year, with intakes closing 15th March and 15th August each year. After your initial application you will then go in to annual invoicing - which occurs 30th September irrespective of when your registration is due for renewal.
Registered Nutritionist
Registered Nutritionists must:
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possess appropriate academic qualifications (see Guidelines for Nutrition Registration)
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have an appropriate level of experience relevant to the practice of nutrition in New Zealand
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be a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident of New Zealand or a holder of a New Zealand temporary work permit
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be a current member of the New Zealand Nutrition Society
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provide evidence of continuing competency.
A Bachelor degree in nutrition from University of Otago, Massey University or Auckland University is considered acceptable. Qualifications from other Universities may be considered if the degree contains sufficient science and specific nutrition papers. .
In addition to a basic academic qualification, you must have 2-3 years of professional experience in the field of nutrition. The selection process is overseen by the Nutrition Registration Panel which is an expert group of Nutrition Society members representing academia, industry, government and private practice. Registered Nutritionists can work in a diverse range of settings. Registered Nutritionists work within their specific fields of expertise (as determined by the Nutrition Registration Panel), adhere to The Code of Professional Standards of the Nutrition Society of NZ as well as the rules of membership and The Royal Society of New Zealand Code of Professional Standards and Ethics and must participate in a Continuing Education Competency Programme.
Flowchart for Eligibility to Register
Use the following flowchart to check whether you are eligible to register.
How do I apply for Registration?
Please Note - All Registration applications are now handled through our online membership database on Gecco. Please click the image below to apply online.
If you are already a member of NSNZ do not create an account as you already have a gecco account, you simply need to use the reset password option to gain access
Before you can apply to become a Registered Nutritionist, you first have to become a member of the Nutrition Society. The cost of this is $110.00. Those applying for Associate Registration pay the student rate of $50. Membership Applicationare also taken via gecco now
The full application fees are detailed in the below tables, You must include a fee from each column in order to find the right fee for you. e.g. non-student membership and registration fees: $110+$90+$75=$275
NOTE: The application fee is paid at your time of first registration only. Your annual registration and membership fee is all you pay once registered (unless a period of non-registration occurs). Gecco will generate your invoice for you.
Associate Nutritionist Registration Fees
* non-refundable if unsuccessful
** refunded if unsuccessful
Registered Nutritionist Fees
* non-refundable if unsuccessful
** refunded if unsuccessful
The document Becoming a Registered Nutritionist Explanatory Notes provides detailed information on the registration process. If you are eligible for registration please download the following documents.
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Referees Report: PDF | Word
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Code of Ethics: PDF
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For those in the Practice field of expertise, please see the Professional Supervision section below
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For continuing competency requirements - Please see the Continuing Competency Section
Associate Registered Nutritionist
Associate Registration is for those who have recently graduated with a Bachelor degree (majoring in nutrition) or equivalent qualification, but have not yet acquired the work experience needed for full registration. To be eligible for Associate Registration candidates must have completed an undergraduate degree, and be employed in a nutrition work setting or working towards a nutrition-related post-graduate qualification.
During this first year candidates must be supported by a professional mentor. The mentor will be selected by the candidate and approved by the nutrition panel.
Additionally, all Associate Registered Nutritionists and candidates working in personal nutrition practice are required to engage in clinical supervision.
After completion of one year of post-graduate study or one year full-time work experience, candidates will be eligible to apply to continue as an Associate Registered Nutritionist.
The document Becoming an Associate Registered Nutritionist Explanatory Notes provides detailed information on the registration process.
The document A Guide to NSNZ mentorship and professional supervision booklet
provides detailed mentoring and supervision information for Associate Registered Nutritionists including
who needs mentorship and or supervision (and what type), how many hours, how long, who can be your supervisor and so forth.
Recording your mentoring sessions
At the end of the mentoring phase of registration, you will need to submit a report detailing all mentoring sessions using this file
Mentor Report
You will also need to download the following document
to complete the application.
For those in the Practice field of expertise, please see the Professional Supervision section below
For continuing competency requirements - Please see the Continuing Competency Section
Continuing Competency and Re-registration
Registered Nutritionists are required to re-register every 3 years and provide evidence of continuing competency. Each Registered Nutritionist is responsible for determining their continuing competency requirements. There are no set criteria. Each application will be considered on its own merits by the Registration Panel. If you have not provided evidence of your competency or do not meet the competency requirements, you will not be billed the registration fee of $75.00 for the following year and your name will be removed from the register. We will make every attempt to contact you before removing your name.
To provide evidence of meeting Continuing Competency requirements you can use the following documents to guide you on the expectations of what and how to undertake this.
All records are now collated on Gecco, for your own records and for the Registration panel to review.
See this linked document of key tips to entering your CPD, and a screenshot Guidance of CPD Recording in Gecco Available Here
Professional Supervision
It is recommended that all Registered Nutritionists receive professional supervision, whilst all those applying for registration or re-registration as a Registered Nutritionist with the field of expertise in ‘personal nutrition practice*’
must receive professional supervision.
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Personal nutrition practice means targeted nutrition services through the application of nutrition practice by Practicing Nutritionists for the purposes of optimising health for individuals that are specific to their needs in a formal manner (eg online or face-to-face consultation). Advice includes but is not limited to supporting optimal good health, health remediation and recovery and improving human performance. based on genetic, phenotype, medical, nutritional and other relevant information about individuals or groups of individuals or populations.
For detailed supervision requirements of Associate and Registered Nutritionists see A Guide to NSNZ mentorship and professional supervision booklet
which provides information about who needs mentorship and or supervision (and what type), how many hours, how long, who can be your supervisor and so forth.
A supervisor should be an experienced Registered Nutritionist, Registered Dietitian or health professional with expertise in the field of the supervisee, with at least 5 years experience. A list of registered Nutritionists and Dietitians is available on the respective websites. Alternatively, a list of supervisors may be found in the A Guide to NSNZ mentorship and professional supervision booklet
Please note supervision may cost and prices are to be discussed directly with the supervisor.
Recording your supervision sessions
At the end of the registration period, you will need to submit a report detailing all supervision sessions using this file Supervision Report
: Word
For mentors and supervisors
Check out the NSNZ Guidelines supervisor and mentors booklet providing guidelines and frameworks for sessions, addressing cultural competence and recommended supervision courses and qualifications
The supervision session content guide aims to provide supervisors and supervisees with the types of topics and functions that may be useful to include in and make the most of your supervision sessions. Please share with your supervisees.
Wish to find out about becoming a mentor or supervisor? Please contact registration@nutritionsociety.ac.nz
Find a Registered Nutritionist
A list of contact details for Registered Nutritionists in New Zealand is available
Annual fee for registration
Each year, you will be billed for $185.00. This covers your membership to the society ($110.00) and your registration fee ($75.00) for the year. (Obviously, if you are a member of the Society, but not registered as a Registered Nutritionist, you will only be billed for $110.00)
Cherise Pendergrast, Registrar
Email: registration@nutritionsociety.ac.nz
Registration Panel
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Sally Mackay: Chair, Registered Nutritionist, Auckland
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Donnell Alexander: Registered Dietitian, Ministry for Primary Industries
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Dr Rachel Brown: Associate Professor, Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago
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Ien Hellemans: Registered Nutritionist, Registered Dietitian, Christchurch
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Julie North: Registered Nutritionist, Nelson
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Amanda Wynne: Registered Nutritionist, Wellington
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Cherise Pendergrast: Registrar, Registered Nutritionist, Nelson
FAQ on Registration
Where can I study nutrition?
The University of Otago, Massey University and University of Auckland offer undergraduate degrees and postgraduate diplomas in nutrition. Ara Institute of Canterbury and AUT also offer degrees which include nutrition. We have links and further information on these courses on the
Education
pages of the website.
Is a qualification in natural or complementary medicine acceptable?
The Society rules state that the applicant must possess a degree from a university with the focus of the degree being nutrition. The focus of natural or complementary medicine differs from a Bachelor Degree majoring in Nutrition. A natural medicine qualification may not include the necessary science subjects at a sufficient level. Relevant work experience in the field of nutrition is also required and the Society would not consider practicing in natural medicine as meeting our criteria. For those who are interested, explore registration with the appropriate professional body related to the natural medicine, for example NZ Society of Naturopaths.
What subjects are relevant to nutritionists in the undergraduate degree?
Relevant subjects are physiology, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, statistics, food science and specific nutrition papers.
What is a satisfactory postgraduate qualification?
The minimum requirement for postgraduate study is a postgraduate diploma, but eligibility is at the discretion of the Registration Panel. Judgment of what is considered specific to nutrition or relevant to nutrition is also at the discretion of the Registration Panel.
If I have a Bachelor degree that is not in nutrition, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Nutrition, can I become a Registered Nutritionist?
The panel would consider the quantity and quality of the nutrition papers of the Postgraduate Diploma. The panel would also consider the papers undertaken in the undergraduate degree. Relevant subjects are physiology, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, statistics, food science and specific nutrition papers.
I have an overseas qualification. Do I need to have an NZQA assessment?
This would be considered on an individual basis and would depend on the qualification. Contact the Registrar for advice.
I have a Post-graduate Diploma in Nutrition but not a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition. Can I apply to be an Associate Registered Nutritionist?
If you have a post-graduate diploma in Nutrition, contact the registrar to see if this would be sufficient. It would be expected that the applicant had completed some science papers at at undergraduate level.
What counts as one-year of nutrition-related work experience during the mentored year of Associate Registration?
Applicants may be involved in paid or voluntary work in nutrition. Some jobs are not solely nutrition jobs but cover a broad range of areas. Keep a record of the nutrition-related areas of your work and the proportion of your job related to nutrition. If you are not engaged in nutrition work full-time, it may take up to two years to gain the equivalent of one-year full-time work experience. Contact the Registrar if you are unsure.
What is the difference between a Dietitian, a Nutritionist and a Registered Nutritionist?
A Dietitian is a registered health professional who meets standards of professionalism required by the NZ Dietitians Board under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance, who has an accredited undergraduate science degree in nutrition, and a post-graduate qualification in Dietetics. Dietitians are trained in the science of nutrition and diet therapy, and qualified to work in areas that require nutritional assessment and counselling.
A Nutritionist has usually completed a degree in Nutrition or related Science, and ideally has tertiary training in science, nutrition, biochemistry, medicine or sports physiology from a reputable tertiary institution. Nutritionists aim to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities and the population as a whole, through better foods, diets and nutrition. Nutritionists can work in a variety of roles including research, nutrition consultants and advisors, public health and health promotion officers, food writing, and for governmental and non-governmental agencies, to name a few.
The title of Registered Nutritionist can only be used by those who meet the standards determined by The Nutrition Society of New Zealand. Registered Nutritionists must hold a degree or academic qualification from a university or other recognised national institution of education. In addition to their basic academic qualification, they must have 2-3 years of professional experience in the field of nutrition. The selection process is overseen by the Nutrition Registration Panel which is an expert group of Nutrition Society members representing academia, industry, government and private practice. Registered Nutritionists can work in a diverse range of settings. Registered Nutritionists work within their specific fields of expertise (as determined by the Nutrition Registration Panel), adhere to The Code of Professional Standards of the Nutrition Society of NZ as well as the NSNZ Rules and The Royal Society of New Zealand Code of Professional Standards and Ethics and must participate in a Continuing Education Competency Programme.
A Dietitian or Registered Nutritionist may work in a variety of settings ranging from Government, community, public health, sports, research and education and the food industry. Dietitians may also work in hospitals.
Can I apply to become an Associate Registered Nutritionist if I am not a new graduate?
If you have insufficient work experience to become a Registered Nutritionist but are not a recent graduate, you can submit an application of intent. You would need to find a mentor and intend to work in a nutrition-related role or undertake post-graduate study in nutrition.
Do I need to receive supervision?
The Nutrition Society Registration Panel asks Registered Nutritionists applying for registration or reregistration in the area of practice to receive professional supervision. Those registered in other fields of practice, particularly those in a large workplace, may receive supervision according to the policies and procedures of their workplace. Supervision provides a regular time for facilitated, in-depth reflection on practice from an experienced practitioner. The panel would expect a nutritionist to be meeting with their supervisor monthly if in full time employment and 2-monthly if in part time employment. The supervisor would preferably be a Registered Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian with at least five years work experience. Refer to the Nutrition Society Guidelines for Professional Supervision for additional information. If you are unable to find a supervisor contact the Registrar.
How much does supervision cost?
It is up to the discretion of the supervisor how much they will charge, and this may depend whether they have undertaken professional supervision training and what they feel is appropriate. The general range may be between $80 - $120 per session, however this may vary.
I have an overseas qualification and overseas experience. Can I apply for registration?
To become registered in NZ, an overseas trained applicant is expected fulfil the following:
I have an overseas qualification. Can I apply for Associate registration?
Your qualification needs to be a minimum of a BSc in Nutrition. You may need to apply for an NZQA assessment of your qualification to provide evidence. After arrival in New Zealand, you will need to have established networks with nutritionists and dietitians in your area, have found a mentor and state your intention for the qualifying year for Associate Registration. This will be work experience or post-graduate study. You can apply for Associate Registration after working with your mentor for a year and studying or gaining work experience.
What happens if I take a leave of absence from work?
For Nutritionists who take a leave of absence from work or go on maternity leave, there is no expectation to maintain work requirements such as supervision, however when the Nutritionist next applies for registration/re-registration it is encouraged that this is stated clearly in their application form, the period they were on leave and why.
What are the fields of expertise for Registration as a Nutritionist?
A Registered Nutritionist will be registered in their field of expertise as determined by the Registration Panel.
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Scientific research - academic
Generally working in academia or a scientific institute, regularly publishing peer-reviewed research.
For example, Scientist at Plant and Food Research, scientist at a university.
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Scientific research – industrial
Generally working in a scientific institute or food-related company, regularly publishing peer-reviewed research.
For example, Scientist at Fonterra.
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Practice
Working with individuals or small groups offering nutrition advice. Mentored or undertaking professional supervision with a Registered Nutritionist or Dietitian
For example, medical practice, sports organization, primary health organisation, Maori or Pacific health provider.
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Public health
Working in health promotion, policy, advocacy, resource development, nutrition communication, community education.
For example, Health Promotion Agency, Heart Foundation, DHB Public Health Unit
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Education
Working in an educational institute, planning courses, delivering lectures/seminars/classes, assessment of work.
For example, university, institute of technology, school.
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Industry
Provide advice to industry clients, technical and nutrition information, marketing.
For example, Fonterra, Beef and Lamb, Nestle, Wyeth, infant feeding.
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Food-service
Working in a food-service setting providing nutrition expertise for menu-planning, recipe development etc.
For example, Hospital food-service, catering company.
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Nutrition Communication
The main role is nutrition and health journalism and media work, marketing, public relations, food-writing.
For example, Food-writer for a magazine, tv appearances, food industry board, public relations company