College History

The New Zealand College of Chiropractic continues to grow and evolve.  The College was formed in 1994 as the NZCA School of Chiropractic by the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association to meet the demand for chiropractors in New Zealand.  It was developed to maintain the traditional philosophical tenets of chiropractic.

The initial programme for the training of chiropractors involved two separate degrees studied concurrently: a BSc from the University of Auckland, and a BSc (Chiro) from the School.  The NZCA School of Chiropractic was initially located in rented premises in Greys Avenue, Auckland and was led by its founding CEO, Dr Jim Stinear.

A significant milestone was reached in July 1999 when the School obtained NZQA approval for the BSc (Chiropractic) with a pre/co-requisite of a BSc.  The BSc (Chiropractic) was a three year-equivalent degree offered to students who had completed the first year of a BSc and who completed the remaining two years while concurrently studying in the BSc (Chiropractic) programme.  Most students undertook their BSc through the University of Auckland and many completed the full BSc before joining the College.

In November 1999 a location in Margot Street, Newmarket, was leased.  Dr Robin Taylor, who had previously been the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, was appointed the Head of School. In 2001 the degree structure was changed and the College obtained JEC accreditation.  The qualification was renamed the Bachelor of Chiropractic (BChiro) and moved from the double degree programme to the current one plus four year programme, with most students undertaking their pre-requisite studies through the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) Diploma in Applied Science. 

In 2002 the name was changed to the New Zealand College of Chiropractic and Dr Phil McMaster was appointed interim Head until a permanent appointment could be made. In 2003 the Trust was renamed the New Zealand Chiropractic Education Trust Board to more accurately reflect its independence from the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association.  Dr Brian Kelly was appointed President of the College and the College entered a new growth phase.

At the end of 2003 agreement was reached with the New Zealand Chiropractic Board to accept successful completion of the College’s Professional Proficiency Exit Exam (PPEE) as suitable for application for registration. The College achieved accreditation with the Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia (CCEA) in 2005. Feeder programmes with AUT University and the University of Canterbury were expanded as entry options for local students, and the College became a member of the Association of Chiropractic Colleges.

New opportunities opened up for students in 2006 with full tuition loans available for New Zealand and Australian students (previously this had been 40% of tuition); these loans became interest-free a short time afterward.  A new building in the neighbouring suburb of Greenlane was leased to accommodate growing enrolment of domestic and international enrolments as the College’s profile continued to grow, and plans began for a new campus.

The College achieved re-accreditation with the CCEA in 2007 and in the same year moved to its new purpose built campus in Mount Wellington. In 2008 the College became a test site for the US NBCE Examinations (Parts 1-3). In 2009 the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board agreed to hold its exams on the College site and in 2010 a new pre-chiropractic diploma feeder programme was signed with Red Deer College in Alberta, Canada.  In 2010 the College introduced the Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Radiology (DACBR) and is the only chiropractic college outside North America to offer a residency in diagnostic imaging. In 2011 the College welcomed its current President, Dr Eric Russell, and continues to provide an inspired educational programme that graduates chiropractic leaders committed to the highest standards of professional excellence in the philosophy, science and art of chiropractic.