Alastair C Gray a Christine D Luketic a, Jessie Coleman b, Barbara Roberts
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102500
Under a Creative Commons license
Open access
European Journal of Integrative Medicine
Volume 78, September 2025, 102500
Abstract
Complementary medicine (CM) appears to be thriving in New Zealand. Homeopathy is a key profession within the broader field of CM. However, there is little empirical evidence relating to homeopathy in New Zealand. There are challenges for researchers to collect evidence about the profession as homeopaths are not required to register with a professional body which means the true number of homeopaths in New Zealand is unclear.
Additionally, homeopathy is often utilised by other health professionals. In direct response, the aim of this study is to report on a study that explores demographics and practice characteristics, professional satisfaction and professional association engagement among homeopaths in New Zealand.
An online survey was administered to homeopaths in New Zealand. Homeopaths in New Zealand are mostly female (95%) with an average age of 57. Half of all respondents were between the ages of 52 and 65, and 24.3% of surveyed Homeopaths live in Auckland. Eighty percent of those surveyed are currently practicing, and 76% work in private practice. Two thirds of homeopaths have been trained in New Zealand, with over 40% trained at one institution.
More than 30% have been trained in other countries. A quarter of respondents found the most satisfying aspect of practice involved the client-practitioner relationship and their clinical results. Only 58% of the respondents were registered with the New Zealand Council of Homeopaths and when asked why, 25% had concerns about the cost of registration, 16.5% felt that the requirements were complicated, and 11% of Homeopaths could not see the benefits of registration.
Two indicators of health and growth in a profession appear to be missing in New Zealand. Despite individual professional satisfaction there is not universal engagement by professional homeopaths with the registering body. Additionally, currently there is only one school providing homeopathy training in the country. Further research is warranted to explore the demographics of full-time, part-time and partial prescribers of homeopathy, as well as their perceptions and experiences, to more fully identify and ultimately address the challenges, risks, opportunities and tensions related to practicing homeopathy in New Zealand.
Keywords
Complementary Medicine
Homeopathy
New Zealand
Demographics
Satisfaction
Engagement
Introduction
Homeopathy is a key profession within the broader field of complementary medicine (CM) [1]. CM encompasses healthcare practices not traditionally included in the conventional medical profession or curriculum [2], includes a wide range of approaches such as mind-body practices (e.g., yoga, meditation), natural products (e.g., vitamin supplements, herbal remedies), treatments (e.g., aromatherapy, reflexology), and therapies (e.g., naturopathy, homeopathy) [3]. The global adoption of CM is on the rise [4,5], representing nearly half of the healthcare sector in many European, Asian and North American countries.
This representation is both in terms of practitioner visits [6,7] and over-the-counter sales [[8], [9], [10], [11], [12]]. The popularity of CM is thriving in New Zealand [[13], [14], [15]] as well. This research explores findings from a survey of homeopathy practitioners in New Zealand.
The historical emphasis on research in homeopathy has been on the basic science (examining the mechanism of action), laboratory science (exploring the biological effects of an infinitesimal dose) and in clinical science (investigating which medicines work for which conditions).
Contemporary research into the practice of homeopathy has begun to focus on demonstrating effectiveness in real world settings [16]. Additionally, researchers have explored the challenges created when clinical decision making [17] is driven and dominated by traditional knowledge and inductive reasoning [18] – very different to knowledge derived from evidence-based approaches and scientific research [[19], [20], [21], [22], [23]].
There is only some empirical evidence that exists in relation to homeopathy education [24] or the actual clinical practice of homeopaths [25,26]. These trends related to research in the field and practice of homeopathy globally are also prevalent in New Zealand.
New Zealand has a publicly funded health system that subsidizes visits to the doctor, hospital, and medicines as well as a public accident funding insurance scheme (Accident Compensation Corporation, ACC) that, in addition to doctors, hospital and medicines also covers physiotherapy as well as limited CMs such as acupuncture, chiropractic and osteopathic care.
Homeopathy is not a funded healthcare modality in New Zealand. Clients pay out of pocket for their consultations, although some private medical insurance bodies will reimburse the cost of consultation with a Homeopath registered with the New Zealand Council of Homeopaths.
Health Professionals in New Zealand are regulated under the Health Practitioner’s Competency Assurance (HPCA) Act, which ensures public safety by defining scope of practice, determining fitness to practice and competence, issuing an annual practicing certificate, and holding multi-disciplinary tribunal for competency and disciplinary matters.
While some complementary health professionals such as Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Chinese Medicine Practitioners are regulated under the HPCA Act, Homeopathy is not, and ‘Homeopath’ is not a protected title, with no legal requirements for education or practice.
Homeopathy practitioner numbers seem to be declining in New Zealand possibly due to aging and retiring [15]. According to published New Zealand census data [27], the number of self-identified homeopaths in New Zealand decreased from 102 in 2006 to 78 in 2013 with a further decline to 75 by 2018 [15].
The discrepancy in numbers between registered homeopaths and census data raises the possibility that homeopaths in New Zealand also have other occupations – making them somewhat hard to access for the researcher. Data obtained from the New Zealand Council of Homeopaths (NZCH) in 2023 reflected an increase in members (including interns and associates), from 187 in 2006 to 195 in 2013 and 196 in 2018. In 2023 the NZCH reported 142 current members. It has become challenging for researchers to collect further evidence to expand on this understanding.
There are several reasons for this. Homeopaths are not required to register with a professional body in New Zealand – the NZCH which means the true number of homeopaths in New Zealand is unknown. Homeopathy is not a legislatively protected title and is utilised by other health professionals who may not have had the full education of a qualified homeopath.
There are numerous practitioners of other disciplines within the complementary or medical healthcare framework that use homeopathic remedies in their treatments. The difficulty in eliciting accurate demographic and geographic data of practicing homeopaths creates a challenging situation for leaders to plan for a sustainable future for the profession in New Zealand.
Part of the knowledge gap relating to homeopathy consists of a lack of national and international workforce surveys to provide even a basic understanding of demographics and practice characteristics. There are many broader CM workforce surveys [26,28,29].
There is an older US based survey focused on homeopathy [30]. There is also one recent Australian project and background document [31] specific to homeopathy, and one US based project [32] still leaving significant gaps of knowledge. There was one prior survey of homeopaths conducted in New Zealand. In 2017 Cottingham surveyed homeopaths as part of a PhD, but only those registered with the NZCH (n=176) [15]. The survey focused on demographics, some practice characteristics, perceptions of integration, registration, regulation and referrals took 45 minutes to complete and received a 32% response rate (Table 1).
Table 1. NZCH membership 2006-2023.
| Year | Members | Percent Change |
| 2006 | 187 | |
| 2013 | 195 | 4.3% |
| 2018 | 196 | 0.5% |
| 2023 | 142 | -27.6% |
Existing demographic data from 2016 showed that homeopaths in New Zealand were predominantly female (93%), with 54% between the ages of 45 and 54 [15]. In comparison, Australian demographic studies have taken a broad look at the complementary health professions, and showed CM practitioners as predominantly female (76.9%) and aged between 40-59 years (59.4%) [33].
The First National Practice Survey in Australia looked primarily at patients and their reasons for visiting a Homeopath, but also noted that 91% of participating homeopaths were female and the average age was 52 [34]. Canadian research into the profession revealed a similar pattern, with 78.3% female homeopaths, and the mean age of 53.1 years [26].
Challenges aside, research into these aspects of the provision of homeopathy services is important. Understanding shifting demographics and trends in practice and education ultimately enables educational institutions and the profession to provide better care to the public.
Despite seemingly high levels of CM use in the community, and robust numbers of over-the-counter sales of homeopathic products [35] the current understanding of the scope of the provision of homeopathy goods and services in New Zealand is unknown. The current evidence evaluating the distribution, demographics, perceptions perspectives education and activities of homeopaths remains limited on several fronts.
There is a need to establish a strategic research agenda around this important aspect of health care education with the overarching goal of ensuring a well-educated, effective health care workforce. In direct response, the aim of this study is to report on findings from a study that explores demographics and practice characteristics; professional satisfaction; and professional association engagement in New Zealand.
2. Methods
2.1. Study design
An online survey was administered to self-identified homeopaths. There were 20 questions, and the survey took an average of 15 minutes to complete.
2.2. Setting
Homeopaths in New Zealand were the target population. The survey was made available to those who elected to participate, finding out through a snowball sampling approach to reach as many as possible. The survey was available from 9 August to 12 November 2023. A link to the survey was distributed via email invitation and shared with other practitioners with two subsequent email reminders to the initial list.
Participation in the survey was advertised through social media (Facebook and Instagram), through the New Zealand Council of Homeopaths, the NZ Homeopathic Society, and advertised in the New Zealand Natural Medicine Journal. Incentives were offered to complete the survey, and participants went into the drawing for three prizes – a 6 month all access pass for Radar Opus, a custom homeopathic kit from Simillimum Pharmacy, and a gift basket of NaturoPharm Ltd homeopathic products. It was made clear to potential participants that completion of the survey was voluntary.
Written consent for use of the responses in research was obtained prior to survey completion (ethical approval was provided, the landing page for the survey included the informed consent details, consent was provided by completing the survey and participants of the survey were provided the opportunity to opt in or withdraw. Recruitment was conducted over three months.
2.3. Participants
2.3.1. Inclusion / exclusion
Because of the lack of reliable workforce demographics, the researchers kept the inclusion criteria deliberately broad.
Inclusion: People who self-identified as homeopaths living in New Zealand were surveyed.
Exclusion: There were nine surveys excluded from the analysis. These included two duplicates, three Homeopaths who were not residents in New Zealand, and four students who either had not completed a basic acute homeopathic prescribing diploma or were not in practice.
2.4. Variables
Several survey items focused on general demographics of the individual practitioners. The body of the survey questions focused on education and professional training, practice characteristics and perceptions of the most satisfying aspect of their work as homeopaths. Practitioners were also asked to discuss their activities and engagement with the New Zealand professional association.
2.5. Data sources/measurement
Data collected related to individual responses to survey questions. The survey instrument was designed to explore four specific domains: demographics, practice characteristics, professional satisfaction and engagement with the professional association. The survey was assessed for face validity prior to study recruitment by testing the instrument and receiving expert feedback. Instrument modifications were undertaken where relevant regarding language clarity, use of different educational terms, the time required to complete the survey (10-15 minutes) and the relevance of questions. Data collection was administered online through SurveyPlanet.com Pro plan. Following the data collection period both complete and incomplete data were transferred to spreadsheets for analyses.
2.6. Bias and study size
Participation was voluntary and participants were assured of confidentiality and de-identification of survey results. The online survey was disseminated using non- probability snowball sampling and data were gathered from the response set by participating homeopaths. This sampling technique was selected for its ability to reach subjects with traits that are rarely found and who can provide referrals to recruit other subjects.
In this way, some of the drawbacks of “inclusion bias” could be minimized, while personal and professional connections in this small and often isolated body of professionals were able to contribute to the sample size. In addition, bias was minimised by using established/pilot tested questions/instruments. Further, in relation to the incentives, bias was minimised by avoiding high-value incentives that could have unduly influenced participation or attracted only those motivated by compensation, by using non-coercive incentives, and keeping the incentive proportionate to the perceived burden of participation.
2.7. Statistical methods
Survey results were deidentified by the lead researcher before being passed to the statistician. Descriptive statistical analysis was employed including frequencies and percentages for categorical variables and means and standard deviations for continuous variables. Mixed methods analyses were also conducted using Excel and the use the statistical software JMP Statistics (JMPPro16).
2.8. Ethics approval
Ethics approval for the project was obtained through the Aotearoa Research Ethics Committee, 6 August 2023 AREC23_27.
3. Results
3.1. Demographics and practice characteristics
In this study, 181 homeopaths responded to the survey. A response rate was not calculated because it is unknown how many practitioners saw the survey.
Homeopaths in New Zealand are mostly female (95%) with an average age of 57, and half of all respondents were between the ages of 52 and 65 (see Table 2). Over 80% of the respondents in the survey identify as New Zealand European or European, with some Māori, Indian and Middle Eastern respondents.
The majority (24.3%) of homeopaths practice in in Auckland, followed by 14.4% in Waikato, 11% in the Bay of Plenty, 9.9% in Wellington and 8% in Northland. There were 5 regions in New Zealand (Gisborne/Tairawhiti, Marlborough, Otago, Southland, Tasman), with less than 5% or fewer surveyed homeopaths. Eighty percent of those surveyed are currently practicing, and 76% of homeopaths work in private practice by themselves as a homeopath (as distinct from group practice, paid employment, volunteering and not yet practicing).
Table 2. Demographics, age, gender, location.
| Age | Feature | Number |
| Mean | 57 | |
| Std Deviation | 11 | |
| Min | 29 | |
| Max | 88 | |
| Total | 177 |
| Gender | Number | Percent |
| Female | 172 | 95.0% |
| Male | 8 | 4.4% |
| unknown/ no response | <5 | |
| Total | 181 |
| Location/ Province | Number | Percent |
| Auckland | 44 | 24.3% |
| Bay of Plenty | 20 | 11.0% |
| Canterbury | 14 | 7.7% |
| Hawkes Bay | 9 | 5.0% |
| Manawatu/Wanganui | 10 | 5.5% |
| Nelson | 7 | 3.9% |
| Northland | 15 | 8.3% |
| Taranaki | 6 | 3.3% |
| Waikato | 26 | 14.4% |
| Wellington | 18 | 9.9% |
| Total | 181 |
Two thirds of homeopaths working in New Zealand were trained in New Zealand, with over 40% trained at the Bay of Plenty College of Homeopathy (rebranded as College of Natural Health and Homeopathy in 2014), and this is now the only New Zealand based provider of Homeopathic education (see Table 3).
The College of Natural Health and Homeopathy provides numerous educational offerings at the undergraduate and post-graduate level teaching both animal and human homeopathy. Many respondents (139) indicated some form of education at the college.
Other programs of homeopathy were represented by respondents including 17 from the now closed Auckland College of Classical Homeopathy and 14 respondents studied at the Wellington College of Homeopathy. The diversity of migration patterns into New Zealand is clear from the response to the survey with 17.6% from Indian, UK, Australian, Israeli, Greek, Dutch, German and French programs representing a wide array of education provision.
Table 3. New Zealand homeopaths’ qualifications and educational institutions.
| Qualification(s) in Homeopathy and Institution | Number |
| New Zealand Schools | |
| DipHom (NZ), Human Homeopathy Level 7 from Bay of Plenty College of Homeopathy | 59 |
| DipHom (NZ), Animal Homeopathy Level 7 from Bay of Plenty College of Homeopathy | 9 |
| Advanced Diploma of Homeopathy Bay of Plenty College of Homeopathy/Alastair Gray | 6 |
| Diploma of Homeopathy (Level 7) (Human) College of Health & Homeopathy | 25 |
| Diploma of Homeopathy (Level 7) (Animal) College of Health & Homeopathy | <5 |
| New Zealand Diploma in Acute Prescribing (Human Health) with Homeopathy (Level 5) College of Natural Health and Homeopathy | 24 |
| New Zealand Diploma in Chronic Prescribing (Human Health) with Homeopathy (Level 6) College of Natural Health and Homeopathy | 10 |
| New Zealand Diploma in Chronic Prescribing (Animal Health) with Homeopathy (Level 6) College of Natural Health and Homeopathy | <5 |
| Diploma Homeopathy Wellington College of Homeopathy | 14 |
| Diploma Natural Medicine South Pacific College of Natural Therapies | <5 |
| Diploma Homeopathy South Pacific College of Natural Therapies | <5 |
| BNatMed RCHom South Pacific College of Natural Therapies | <5 |
| Diploma in Classical Homeopathy Auckland College of Classical Homeopathy | 15 |
| Advanced Diploma in Homeopathy Auckland College of Classical Homeopathy | <5 |
| No qualifications / private study in Homeopathy | <5 |
| Member (N.Z. Homoeopathic Society) | <5 |
| International Schools | |
| BHMS India | <5 |
| Diploma Homeopathy Australasian College of Homeopathy | <5 |
| Diploma of Homeopathy South Australian College of Homeopathy | <5 |
| Bachelor Health Science Australian College of Natural Medicine | <5 |
| Diploma of Homeopathy Sydney College of Homeopathic Medicine | <5 |
| LCH (Licentiate of the College of Homeopathy) College of Homeopathy, London | <5 |
| MCH College of Homeopathy (London) | <5 |
| Vet MFHom – Veterinary Member of the Faculty of Homeopathy UK. | <5 |
| L.C.C.H. Licentiateship College of Classical Homeopathy – College of Classical Homeopathy | <5 |
| MSc Homeopathy UCLan | <5 |
| Dynamis School for Advanced Homeopathic Studies | <5 |
| School for Classical Homeopathy in Bloemendaal | <5 |
| Hahnemann College of Homeopathy India | <5 |
| BSc (Hons) Homeopathy, CHE/ Middlesex University, England | <5 |
| Academy for Natural Medicine Arnhem Netherlands | <5 |
| Diploma of Homoeopathy Bauer institute of Homoeopathy (post grad) | <5 |
| DiHom,HMD, FBIH; PhDHom Westbook University; | <5 |
| DiHom Israeli Medical College of Hom; | <5 |
| DiHom IHS Paris | <5 |
| Dip hom IACH (Greece) | <5 |
Note: There were some respondents with more than one qualification in homeopathy.
3.2. Professional satisfaction
Open ended survey questions sought data on perceptions of professional satisfaction (See Table 4). A quarter of respondents found the most satisfying aspect of practice involved aspects of the client practitioner relationship and clinical results (making a difference / helping / healing / empowering and education 74%), the benefits of continuing to learn (3.1%) and the reduction on reliance of allopathic/conventional medications (2.1%).
Many other features relating to professional satisfaction were mentioned and of those mentioned by less than 1% of respondents (15% of total responses) satisfying aspects of practice included self-development, the intellectual engagement and stimulation of finding accurate homeopathic remedies, satisfaction of earn a living from homeopathy, the affordability of homeopathy, dramatic clinical results, helping community wellbeing, the application of holistic approaches, being creative and practicing homeopathy as a spiritual practice.
Table 4. Most satisfying aspects of practice.
| Satisfying aspects | Number | Percent |
| helping people | 82 | 25.2% |
| healing | 76 | 23.3% |
| empowering clients in their health | 32 | 9.8% |
| client relationship | 26 | 8.0% |
| educating clients/ animal guardians | 13 | 4.0% |
| learning | 10 | 3.1% |
| happy people | 9 | 2.8% |
| helping families | 8 | 2.5% |
| reduce allopathic medicine use/ suppression | 7 | 2.1% |
| making a difference | 7 | 2.1% |
| long term relationships | 6 | 1.8% |
| other | 50 | 15% |
| Grand Total | 326 | 100.0% |
3.3. Professional association engagement
In New Zealand it is optional for practitioners to register with the New Zealand Council of Homeopaths (NZCH), and only 58% of the Homeopaths in our survey took up this opportunity (See Table 5). There were 91 NZCH registered Homeopaths who completed the survey, most of these were women. Some 28 other participants aligned themselves with a range of other bodies and associations including the New Zealand Association of Medical Herbalists (NZAMH), Reflexology New Zealand (MRNZ),
Natural Health Practitioners New Zealand (NHPNZ), Naturopaths and Medical herbalists New Zealand (NMHNZ), New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC), Homeopathy International (HINT), NZ Homeopathic Society (NZHS). Reflecting that homeopaths are conducting other adjacent work, respondents reported membership of the NZ Association of Beauty Therapists, Electrical workers registration, Bowen Therapy NZ, and the NZ Nursing Council, and reflecting homeopathy related memberships outside of New Zealand, the Society of Homeopaths (UK), Faculty of Homeopathy (UK) and the Homeopathy Council of India. Many respondents reported having no professional affiliation (n=75, 42%).
Table 5. Participation with registration body and professional body.
| Table 5a | ||
| Participation with a registration body | Number | Percent |
| No | 75 | 42% |
| Yes | 104 | 58% |
| Total | 179 | |
| Table 5b | ||
| Professional body | Number | Percent |
| NZCH | 91 | 78% |
| Other | 28 | 22% |
| Total | 117 | 100% |
An open-ended question about perceptions of registration was asked. Of the 2/3rds of respondents that commented, 25% of respondents had concerns about the cost of registration. Some respondents, 16.5% felt that the requirements were complicated, 11% of Homeopaths stated they could not see the benefits of registration, 7% reported that they were only working part time or not enough time engaged with homeopathy for them to think they should be registered, and 6% felt that the Council has not provided enough support or fought for the profession. Some respondents (17%) stated that registration was important for professionalism and credibility, and 10% appreciate the support that they get from the Council.
4. Discussion
Our study reveals three key findings. Firstly, the findings of the study have revealed the spread and density of location and other important demographics. There is some logic yet some unevenness to the location of homeopaths in New Zealand given the population coverage.
In this study, the geographic location of homeopaths – with the second and third leading regions being Bay of Plenty and Waikato – are not New Zealand’s second and third largest population clusters. Instead, this spread likely reflects that the location of the school that has graduated the most professionals, the Bay of Plenty College of Homeopathy (BOPCOH) with its on-site training until 2017 (pre-pandemic) and pioneering distance training for those in other regions with distance training.
The wide array of other training establishments reflects both the modest expansion of homeopathy in the 1990s and early 2000s when there were three colleges in New Zealand, and inbound migration trends from a wide variety of countries. Additional research is warranted to establish the exact numbers of professional homeopaths.
The second key finding from this study is that despite clearly articulated individual professional satisfaction there is not broad engagement by professional homeopaths to the representative professional association. This represents both a potential isolating feature for the professional life of the practitioner, as well as a significant challenge for the professional associations in this unregulated focussed the future and the health of the profession.
A tension seems to have emerged from our research in that the professional body is tasked to advocate, lobby, encourage professionalisation, provide continuing education and communicate with professionals that do not want to be a part of that association.
Our findings highlight that the NZCH (or any other association) has not engaged the community fully. Many homeopaths have not joined the NZCH or have not maintained their registration. This suggests a challenge at the strategic level with perhaps the overall vision and mission of the profession not being adopted by all stakeholders.
While perspectives as to why so many homeopaths were unengaged in the broader profession were asked, what is not known at this stage are the reasons (and perhaps the solutions) for this lack of engagement. More research is necessary in this regard as this challenge is not widely discussed in the other homeopathy or CM workforce surveys [29,30] and other current international projects that could perhaps generalize this finding are as yet unpublished [32].
Of many causative possibilities, this tension perhaps reflects uneven geographical location of homeopaths mentioned above. Further, the nature of how the NZCH came about, as the amalgamation of three separate registers, [36] or that the professional association is populated with volunteer labour with its consequential uneven levels of skills and leadership could contribute to the cause.
Additionally, this lack of engagement could be in part due to the historical origins of homeopathy in New Zealand where participants have come from eclectic educational origins with the large array of educational qualifications from local and international institutions.
As other complementary therapies in New Zealand and abroad are occupied with a concerted broad push towards higher standards of care, [37] professionalisation, [38] standards and competencies in education, [5] and professional formation and broadening continuous education offerings [39] this lack of engagement with the profession that we see in New Zealand homeopathy could have the effect of slowing the maturity of the profession.
What we now know is that a specific agenda of professional engagement for the professional association has emerged and for the health and longevity of the profession of homeopathy in New Zealand, there will require some resolution of the lack of engagement with the professional body and supporting associations and practitioners to ensure safe and effective patient care to all receiving and providing treatments as part of the broader New Zealand healthcare system.
The third important finding highlighted in the study is that there are some potential professional vulnerabilities that have emerged with this mapping of the profession in New Zealand. From an educational perspective there is only one school providing homeopathy training in the country.
That one school, BOPCOH/CNHH (while accredited and validated through the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and Tertiary Education Commission (TEC)) is also subject to the shifting tides of educational accreditation and funding (funding cuts etc.).
Additionally, the other pillars of the profession are also vulnerable. The NZCH is active in conducting three separate roles, credentialling, accreditation and professional support of practitioners. While not fit for purpose in some other countries, with the population that exists in New Zealand (and New Zealand homeopaths and volunteer labour) perhaps it makes perfect sense for those roles to be clustered together.
Nevertheless, the professional association could well benefit from having clarity on the differences, tensions, impacts and consequences of those activities. As this study was confidential members of the NZCH executive could not be identified to assess their understanding of the differences in these activities.
However, it seems clear from the survey responses that there remains a lack of understanding of the various roles in the broader homeopathy community, and therefore the professional association could benefit from making the differences in these activities more transparent to homeopaths, both registered and not registered. Additionally, the NZ Homeopathic Society appears to be engaged in two separate activities, supporting the professional and conducting public outreach/advocacy.
This situation sits in comparison to the professional set up of homeopathy in the UK, Australia and in the US, where the roles of credentialing/licensing, advocacy to the public, school and college educational accreditation and support for the professional are vastly more delineated and conducted by separate agencies.
The limitations of this study must be acknowledged. Participants – 181, self-selected, and as such possibly contributed to the selection bias whereby homeopaths that participated may have equally strong or stronger attitudes to the challenges facing them than those that chose not to complete the survey. Other homeopaths perceptions may not fully align with data reported in this study.
It is possible (because the sample size is unknown) that the survey findings reflect the effects of random error. Additionally, the unknown sample size limits the generalisability of findings. Despite these limitations, the results from this research provide valuable insights into one of the more important CM therapies and its professional landscape in New Zealand. Additional future research could focus on the challenges and tensions facing New Zealand homeopathy provision hinted at but not fully explored in the previous research explorations in this arena [15,40]. As such, further exploration of the perceptions of homeopaths in New Zealand warrants investigation and comparison with other similar international studies.
5. Conclusion
This empirical study of New Zealand homeopaths perspectives and experiences presents novel but measured preliminary insights into the place and value of this unregulated, unlicensed integrative healthcare option in New Zealand. These research findings are consistent with other similar workforce studies in filling in some knowledge gaps.
The further examination specific numbers, and the perceptions of homeopaths would serve to create more clarity in this emerging field. Moreover, further research is also warranted to explore the perceptions and experiences of homeopaths to more fully help identify and ultimately address the challenges, risks, opportunities and tensions related to practicing CM in New Zealand.
Declaration of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process
The authors declare that no generative AI or AI-assisted technologies were used in the writing, editing, data analysis, or preparation of this manuscript.
Financial statement
The NZ Homeopathic Society and the New Zealand Council of Homeopaths both provided partial funding for direct costs of the survey and ethics application.
Funding sources
The NZ Homeopathic Society and the New Zealand Council of Homeopaths both provided partial funding for direct costs of the survey and ethics application.
Data availability
As this is a small survey conducted in a small country, to make the data available has the potential to compromise the identity of respondents. We can and have provided the summary tables. The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
CRediT authorship contribution statement
Alastair C Gray: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft, Methodology. Christine D Luketic: Writing – review & editing, Formal analysis, Data curation. Jessie Coleman: Writing – review & editing, Conceptualization. Barbara Roberts: Writing – review & editing, Data curation, Conceptualization.
Declaration of competing interest
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
