Academic Staff

Wellpark College is proud to provide 'leaders in their field' offering academic excellence as tutors.

Lynda Bailey Clinical Supervisor
B Sc / Comp Naturopathic Dip / Reiki Master / Registered Nurse / Adv Dip of Nursing / Registered Midwife.

In addition to teaching the students of Wellpark and supervising the Prema Clinic, Lynda  has a private practice at Holistic Health, Apollo Health  and Wellness in Albany. Lynda specialises in assisting women and their partners before conception, during pregnancy, birth and after birth care, resolving breastfeeding problems, providing nutritional advice, natural therapies and Reiki.  

Lynda finds it immensely satisfying to share the enthusiasm of students as they begin to integrate modality knowledge into the clinical setting and to be in an environment that fosters and values the individual uniqueness of each student.

Mary Belsey

Dip Naturopathy

As a member of NZ Society of Naturopaths, Mary tutors at Wellpark in addition to her role as a private naturopathic practitioner, macrobiotics and organics specialist.

Mary is passionate in her belief of the essential contribution thatfood provides to our well-being and educates others through cooking classes focussing on the preparation and processes required for our food to provide the maximum benefit to well-being. 

Phillip Cottingham

Principal - Wellpark College
ND. BHSc. Grad Dip HSc. (Herbal Medicine) Dip. Hom. Dip. Mass. MNNZ.

Registered naturopath, herbalist and body therapist with over thirty years in professional practice, with many years of teaching experience in natural therapies, Phillip co-founded Wellpark College in 1990 and has continued to guide the progress of the College to become one of the largest institutions of its kind in Australasia. 

Committed to the integration of traditional medicine with modern scientific approaches, Phillip is fostering research capability amongst practitioners and students of natural medicine, with the vision to establish a natural therapies teaching hospital and research centre at Kawai Purapura, Albany for the advancement of integration of natural medicine into mainstream health care.

Phil Dowling

Senior Head of Faculty - Naturopathy and Nutrition  
MA ( Live Food Nutrition ) / Naturopathic Practitioner / BA ( Econ ) / BHSc / Nat Dip / Herb Dip

In addition to his role as Head of Faculty and practicing naturopath, Phillip is also the writer of "Journeys Back to Health" - eight stories that chronicle clients who rediscovered their health through the adoption of simple life changes. Philip fundamentally believes in encouraging clients to work with change, and to observe and learn through observation the cause and effect in all matters of health.

The introduction of New Zealand’s first naturopathy degree program here at Wellpark has excited Phillip and he believes “this will further establish naturopathy as a key player in the developing world of integrative medicine.”

Peta Joyce

BA / PG / Cert. Health Science (Mindbody Healthcare) Associate of the NZ Coaching and Mentoring Centre / Member of the Holistic Pulsing Guild, (NZ) Inc

In addition to being a qualified practitioner and trainer of Holistic Pulsing body mind integration therapy which she teaches at Wellpark College, Peta's training of more than 20 years is in sociology, integrative and body-focussed psychotherapy, mentoring and supervision, training and group facilitation.

Her private practice at Montel House includes specialties of working with many dimensions of the body-mind experience therapeutically in addition to supervision, training and facilitating holistic solutions, insights and learning that come from the individual or whole group.

Sharon Erdrich

Registered Nurse NZRN / PostGrad Cert Hlth Sci / ND ( Hons ) Dip MH / Dip Aroma

Sharon's journey into natural therapies  began in 1979, when as a student nurse she recognised that unwell patients, treated with conventional medicine, didn't resolve their health challenges, instead the issues were temporarily resolved until the next health crisis.
 
Her desire to help correct the underlying causes of  ill-health has fuelled her quest for an in-depth understanding of many aspects of natural health care. Her preferred mode to support a client’s return to good health is nutritional medicine. Sharon is also a certified metabolic typing consultant and runs the UltraLite Weight Management Programme. She also manages and practices Naturopathy at her own health care clinic in addition to her role as senior aromatherapy tutor at Wellpark College.

Rob Lamb

MA of App. Sc. (Acupuncture), BA of App. Sc. (Physiotherapy), Registered Nurse

Rob has trained and worked in a variety of clinical settings in Australia, from the smaller rural to major suburban teaching hospital and a number of private clinics. He has worked as a nurse, physiotherapist and acupuncturist over a 20 year period.

In addition to conducting classes in anatomy & physiology together with integrative body therapies, Rob
also works in the Titirangi Integrated Medical Centre with practitioners and an Anthroposophical doctor. Rob's interest in an integrative medical approach has developed through studies, working in varied health settings and with a variety of practitioners, to provide optimal health care options for clients.

Dr. Sridhar Maddella

Head of Faculty - Yoga and Medical Sciences
BNat and Yogic Science / Post Graduate Dip Naturopathy and Yoga / Dip of Physiotherapy

Initially educated in India, Sridhar has continued his passion for learning here in New Zealand and is a keen proponent of integration for health and well-being, utilising yoga for its holistic approach to healing. Sridhar also advocates mind-body medicine and identifies the mind as a central cause of imbalance and consequently the cause of disease.

Dr. Pooja Maddella

BNat and Yogic Science / Post Graduate Dip Naturopathy and Yoga / Diploma of Physiotherapy

Pooja instills in students the understanding of yoga as a harmonious way of life, integrating all the practices to create well-being, healing  and happiness. Pooja believes Yoga taught from this perspective, deepens our internal understanding and creates a sense of connection and balance between the physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual aspects of ourselves.

Karen Mees

BHSc / ND /  Dip.Herb.Me / NLP Practitioner / Registered Naturopath / Medical Herbalist

Assistant head of faculty for Naturopathy, Karen has taught Nutrition and Herbal Medicine for more than 5 years at Wellpark, in addition to assisting clients part-time. Karen is a passionate advocate for increasing the awareness of what healthy food really is, the effectiveness of herbal medicine and benefits of other natural health modalities. Her interest in organics, sustainability and getting back to basics, have lead her to recently completing permaculture studies which is the initial stage of a Horticulture qualification.

Maria Middlestead

ND / Dip Nut / Reg NHCNZ

Clinical nutritionist of thirty years, Maria is a recipient of awards as a nutrition writer, food writer, educator, public speaker and practitioner.

Maria is the best selling author of seven books and journalistic contributor to many more. Passionate about the art and science of nutrition, Maria provides lectures and public talks, has hosted four television series on food and health in New Zealand, Australia and Canada, and has given live, weekly presentations on TV One’s Good Morning show for two years. Maria has worked as a newspaper and magazine journalist including writing a nutrition column for seven years at The Christchurch Press. She has co-owned a health food store, nad has run her own catering business and cooking school.

Dr. Vijayendra Murthy

Honorary Head of Head of Faculty - Ayurveda
BAMs / Post - Graduate Master of Science - Ayurvedic Medicine

Dr. Vijayendra Murthy is the honorary head of the Ayurvedic faculty, a tutor and traditional practitioner. His initial tertiary education began in India completing a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery and a further postgraduate qualification of Master of Science in Ayurvedic Medicine from the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in Bangalore.

Vijay started his career teaching Ayurvedic Medicine at a university in India at the age of 22 and his ability to articulate complex concepts of life and well-being and his unique approaches to natural health practice made him a respected tutor and an inspiring health care professional. Dr. Murthy's expertise as an Ayurvedic practitioner and educationalist is gaining international recognition through presentations and ongoing conference speaking requests. Bridging the gap between Eastern and Western paradigms of well-being, his educational programmes and experience inspires increasing numbers of students from all over the world to study with him here at Wellpark College.

Nicky O'Connor

Head of Faculty - Integrative Body Therapies
Dip RM /  BA Reg / RMT Massage NZ

Currently specialising in therapeutic massage and remedial bodytherapies, Nicky was initially inspired to pursue her passions from a series of workshops more than ten years ago.  

Nicky practices from the North Shore and at the Prema Clinic.She is keenly interested in the fascial, cranial and lymphatic systems, and continues to explore the interconnectedness and integration of these within the clinical setting.

Alphonse Pantig

Dip Acc.

Hailing from the Phillipines, Alphonse Pantig attended the University of East Ramon Magsaysay M.M.C. College of Medicine. He further explored complimentary medicine in Australia at tertiary level completing a National Diploma of Acupuncture before basing himself in New Zealand, working at Wellpark College.

With established academic and medical clinical experience extending over three decades, Alphonse is an accomplished tutor and multi-skilled practitioner who shares a wealth of knowledge with students.

Deborah Pick

MA Chem /  Dip Pt / Dip Massage /  Dip. Fitness Ins

Personal trainer, health and fitness consultant, Deb is a multi qualified science, sport and osteopathy graduate with specialist nutritional knowledge, recently arrived from the United Kingdom.

In addition to sharing her specialised knowledge of body therapies with students at Wellpark, Deb provides   rehabilitation and specialised stretch instruction to the Auckland Blues rugby team.

Amanda Probett

Dip Yoga / Dip Yoga Therapy

Since 1997 Amanda has studied the ancient science and philosophy of yoga. A devoted practitioner of Raja yoga and serves both as a private practitioner in addition to yoga tutor for Wellpark College. 

Kate Robertson

Dip MH (Hons) / N D / Dip Bsp / MNZAMH / MNZSCC

Kate has had a lifelong interest and passion for natural health. With a deep respect for herbal medicine, and a particular interest in teaching and manufacturing, Kate has a unique and broad combination of experience and skills. She owns a large property in Northland where she grows and harvests native plants for medicine, and also grows a variety of the more uncommon, and endangered medicinal and culinary plants. Kate is a member of the NZ Society of Cosmetic Chemists and a leading expert in the formulation and development of botanical skincare and therapeutic preparations, and is regularly called upon to consult with manufacturers, retailers and the general public on natural products and treatments. Kate is actively involved in education where she seeks to share her knowledge and experiences to assist and inspire others in the field of herbal medicine and botanical therapies.

Jackie Segers

Reiki Master / Reflexology / Cert CST practitioner

After graduating from the American Academy of Reflexology in Encino, California, Jackie continued her wellness education with studies of Reiki. Attuned to Reiki I and II with Reiki Master Barbara Pillsbury (Auckland), Jackie then studied with Reiki Master William Rand, founder of the International Center for Reiki Training in Michigan. Jackie attuned to Reiki III in New York in 1999, and has been a Reiki Master and Teacher in addition to offering classes since 2004. Jackie continued her education and development studying Craniosacral Therapy with Diane Dalbey at the Touch Therapy Institute in Los Angeles, and with Phillip Cottingham at Wellpark College of Natural Therapies in Auckland. Her first book, Reflexology for Cats, was published in September 2007.

Marianne Stobie

Dip Naturopathy /  Dip Massage / BA Arabic and Hebrew (Hons)
 
Marianne has taught a range of courses at Wellpark for more than five years, particularly enjoying 3rd year clinicals and discussing applied herbal therapeutics. As a practicing naturopath, Marianne also shares a private practice chiropractic and osteopathic clinic. Marianne believes that professional development and learning are essential to growth.

Dr. Priyesh Tiwari

MBBS, MD, MPhil
 
Priyesh is a keen researcher and practitioner of holistic medicine for more than 15 years, managing wellness centers and integrative hospitals internationally which combine mainstream medicine with complementary therapies.

His primary interest is in developing information technology, evidence based practice of CAM and formulation of guidelines to bring about a shared understanding of integrative care.

In addition to teaching clinical subjects at the college, he is currently completing his PHD at the University of Auckland and tutoring at the school of population health.

RESEARCH

Mary Hayes

GDHE (grad. Dip of Higher Education) /  Massage Therapy, Reflexology / Reiki Master (UK)

Mary has been occupied in education and training for the past 16 years, currently completing a Masters in Education. Mary’s role at Wellpark is in research and development, as well as academic support.

Passionate about education, Mary believes it is vital to emancipate the mind and intellect. Learning to her is a life-long transforming journey, and she is committed to being able to assist students on their academic and wellness journey. Mary feels that there is no such thing as the ‘natural academic’, but rather that academic success is based on learned skills. In her role as Academic Support she is able to help students adjust to tertiary education - equipping them with valuable tools such as realistic goal setting, time management and individualized learning techniques or strategies.