

Our practitioner: Melissa Rivard
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I know what it’s like to give everything to your work and the people around you; only to find yourself running on empty. Years ago, stress, burnout, and eventually, compromised health left me disconnected and lacking vitality. That turning point with the support of coaches and holistic health practitioners, reshaped how I think about wellbeing, and it’s why I now help others do the same.
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For me, health isn’t about perfection or chasing the next quick fix. It’s about strong foundations: food that nourishes, movement that energises, rest that restores, and mindset shifts that help us live in alignment with our values, with the flexibility to adapt to whatever life may throw at us. This is the heart of Wellkind: sustainable, compassionate, holistic, evidence-based care.
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I’ve spent more than 20 years in the health and fitness industry as a trainer and coach. In 2018, I chose to expand my scope and began a naturopathic degree with the vision of opening my own clinical practice. In my first years as a naturopath, I saw that ongoing support and coaching were often the missing link in lasting change. That insight led me to further study in behaviour science and to qualify as a health coach, equipping me with a broader set of tools to help clients have more agency and truly transform their health with lasting change.
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I bring both expertise and empathy to my work. If you’re navigating stress, compromised health, or burnout, my role is to meet you where you are and help you rebuild vitality step by step in a way that feels achievable, aligned, sustainable and kind.

Wellkind founded in 2022
Melissa founded Wellkind, knowing that if she could support individuals with their holistic health and wellbeing, it would have a ripple effect in the communities around them. She strongly believes in prioritising health and wellbeing, seeing preventative medicine needing to have a stronger presence within our health care system. Her mission is to support clients connecting back to key fundamental components of holistic health (movement, good quality sleep, community, nutrition, mindfulness, connection, and mental fitness) in order to restore balance and thrive. Wellkind's vision and belief is that when the holistic health of an individual is prioritised, the health and wellbeing of the community they are part of will benefit and grow.


Qualifications and Memberships
Awards
Registered Naturopath & Medical Herbalist with Naturopaths and Medical Herbalists of New Zealand (NMHNZ) (Registration number: 205)
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Registered Health Coach with Health Coaches Australia and New Zealand Association (HCANZA) (Registration number: 2023495)
Registered Nutritionist with Clinical Nutritionist Association (CNA) (Registration number: 9906413)
Bachelor of Natural Medicine
Bachelor of Science - Psychology (Honours)
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Health Coaching Certificate (Prekure) (2023)
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Advanced Mental Health Coaching Certificate (Prekure) (2024)
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Qualified Yoga Teacher
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Level 1 Crossfit Coach
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NASM Personal Training Certification
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Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certificate with PN specialist certifications in metabolic health, change psychology, and athlete nutrition
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Mentorship program with Rachel Arthur Nutrition (2023)
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Hormone and Reproductive Health Mentorship program with Rhiannon Hardingham (2025)
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​​​​South Pacific College of Natural Medicine Excellence in Clinical Practice Award 2021 (courtesy of SPCNM Board of Directors)





