Qualification Pathways

Our industry-leading qualifications set you up for industry-recognised careers in nutrition & health coaching, sports & performance nutrition, and clinical nutrition.

Health Coaching

Graduates of our Certified Health & Lifestyle Coach program are eligible for registration with Health Coaches Australia & New Zealand Association (HCANZA), Australasia's governing body for health coaching, and can work as fully qualified, insured, and association-backed health coaches. 

Sports Nutrition

Graduates of our Certified Holistic Performance Sports Nutritionist (HPN-SN) program can work as Sports Nutritionists and are eligible to register as provisionally Accredited Sports Nutritionists with the Sports Nutrition Association, a global accrediting body upholding the highest standards in sports nutrition. 

HPN Level 1 Nutritionist

The HPN Level 1 Nutritionist program includes the health coaching and sports nutrition certifications and is part of our premier Holistic Performance Nutritionist pathway. Graduates of this program can register as Health Coaches with HCANZA and Sports Nutritionists with the SNA. 

This also allows entry into our advanced clinical nutrition programs to qualify as a Clinical Nutritionist. 

HPN Level 2 Nutritionist

Those who have completed all required components of HPN1 are eligible to enter HPN2 to study Clinical Nutrition Sciences, Applied Clinical Nutrition, and Clinical Supervision and Mentoring, to become fully qualified clinical nutritionists eligible to register with the Clinical Nutrition Association as Registered Clinical Nutritionists. 

You can also enroll to study health coaching, sports nutrition, and clinical nutrition in our Complete Holistic Performance Nutrition Program (includes HPN1, 2, and all prerequisites). 


Registration opportunities

Register with the Health Coaches Association, Sports Nutrition Association, or Clinical Nutrition Association

Health Coaches Association logo

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority ensures that New Zealand qualifications are valued as credible and robust, both nationally and internationally.

NZQA is accountable for:

  • managing the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework
  • administering the secondary school assessment system
  • independent quality assurance of non-university education providers
  • qualifications recognition
  • standard setting for some specified unit standards
  • the development of qualifications in specific fields.


The following HPI Micro-credentials have been assessed for equivalence with levels and credits on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF)

Certificate in Health Coaching

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has evaluated the Certificate in Health Coaching (Micro-credential) delivered by Holistic Performance Institute and has assessed it to be equivalent to 40 credits (40x10 notional learning hours) at Level 5 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF)

Certificate in Ethics & Professionalism in Health Practice

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has evaluated the Certificate in Ethics & Professionalism in Health Practice (Micro-credential) delivered by Holistic Performance Institute and has assessed it to be equivalent to 40 credits (40x10 notional learning hours) at Level 5 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF)

Certificate in Nutrition Coaching

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has evaluated the Certificate in Nutrition Coaching (Micro-credential) delivered by Holistic Performance Institute and has assessed it to be equivalent to 40 credits (40x10 notional learning hours) at Level 6 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF)

Certificate in Clinical Nutrition Science

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has evaluated the Certificate in Clinical Nutrition Science (Micro-credential) delivered by Holistic Performance Institute and has assessed it to be equivalent to 40 credits (40x10 notional learning hours) at Level 7 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF)

Certificate in Applied Clinical Nutrition

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has evaluated the Certificate in Applied Clinical Nutrition (Micro-credential) delivered by Holistic Performance Institute and has assessed it to be equivalent to 40 credits (40x10 notional learning hours) at Level 7 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF)

Certificate in Advanced Clinical Nutrition Practice

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has evaluated the Certificate in Advanced Clinical Nutrition Practice (Micro-credential) delivered by Holistic Performance Institute and has assessed it to be equivalent to 40 credits (40x10 notional learning hours) at Level 8 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF)

Courses

Learning pathways towards a career in health & performance

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Frequently Asked Questions
A micro-credential is a certification of a specific set of skills or knowledge. They are smaller, more focused qualifications designed to be flexible and responsive to industry needs, allowing you to gain targeted expertise.
This is a key distinction! When a qualification is “on” the NZQA Framework, it means the entire programme is developed and delivered by an NZQA-accredited provider, and the qualification itself appears on the official framework. Our microcredentials, while not “on” the framework directly, have undergone an equivalency assessment. This means NZQA has formally recognised them as equivalent to a specific level and credit value on the NZQCF. It confirms the comparable standard and learning outcomes.
The following HPI micro-credentials have been assessed by NZQA: HPN 1 Micro-credentials (Level 5 & 6): • Certificate in Ethics & Professionalism in Health Practice (Micro-credential): Assessed as equivalent to 40 credits at Level 5 on the NZQCF. • Certificate in Health Coaching (Micro-credential): Assessed as equivalent to 40 credits at Level 5 on the NZQCF. • Certificate in Nutrition Coaching (Micro-credential): Assessed as equivalent to 40 credits at Level 6 on the NZQCF. HPN 2 Micro-credentials (Level 7 & 8): • Certificate in Clinical Nutrition Science (Micro-credential): Assessed as equivalent to 40 credits at Level 7 on the NZQCF. • Certificate in Applied Clinical Nutrition (Micro-credential): Assessed as equivalent to 40 credits at Level 7 on the NZQCF. • Certificate in Advanced Clinical Nutrition Practice (Micro-credential): Assessed as equivalent to 40 credits at Level 8 on the NZQCF.
Beyond gaining specialised knowledge, the benefits include: • Increased Credibility: Your qualifications are recognised against national standards. • Career Advancement: Direct pathways to professional registration and vocational opportunities. • Futureproofing: Potential for credit transfer and progression to higher academic qualifications. • Competitive Edge: Stand out in the job market with validated, high-quality learning.
Watch this space! We are actively working with universities and tertiary colleges internationally and in New Zealand to map our qualifications to theirs. We hope this will provide our graduates with opportunities for graduate and postgraduate study, including potential entry into master's degree programmes.
Our Sports Nutrition Certificate is separately undergoing evaluation for alignment with a Level 8 graduate certificate on the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) Framework, in association with the Sports Nutrition Association. This is a distinct recognition pathway separate from the NZQA microcredential equivalency, designed to meet specific industry standards within Australia and internationally.
This means that NZQA, New Zealand's qualifications regulator, has formally evaluated specific HPI microcredentials and issued a statement confirming their equivalence to a certain level and credit value on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF). It's an independent stamp of quality and comparability.
No. Because we are not on the NZQCF and are privately (not Government) funded, our students are not eligible for student loans or allowances. However, we offer financial assistance in the following forms: • Community Services Card discounts • Financial support for people from lower-income nations • Monthly instalment plans
Our Complete Nutritionist Pathway is the overarching learning journey you undertake by completing a series of our NZQA-equivalent microcredentials. This comprehensive pathway accumulates over 360 credits and culminates in learning assessed as equivalent to Level 8 on the NZQCF. While it is not a degree, this pathway provides a breadth and depth of knowledge and skills broadly comparable to a three-year university degree, offering a robust foundation for a professional career in nutrition and health.
Our courses lead directly to valid and recognised registration opportunities. For example, depending on your completed pathway, you can become a Registered Health Coach, Accredited Sports Nutritionist, and/or Registered Clinical Nutritionist.
The 80-credit, Level 5 bridging course Certificate in Foundations of Health Science (covering Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, and Introduction to the Scientific Method) is a preparatory option we offer. It is specifically designed for students who do not have existing qualifications in these basic sciences, ensuring they have the necessary foundational knowledge for further study in nutrition and health. This specific bridging course has not undergone NZQA assessment itself; its purpose is solely to prepare you for our NZQA-equivalent microcredential pathways.
For more details on our NZQA-assessed microcredentials, the Complete Nutritionist Pathway, or to discuss your study options, please contact us at [email protected]