A dietitian is a registered health professional who meets the standards of professonalism required by the NZ Dietitians Board under the Health Professionals Council Act.  A dietitian is university qualifed and has an undergraduate science degree in human nutrition as well as a postgraduate diploma in dietetics. A dietitian is trained in the science of nutriton and diet therapy and qualifed to work in areas that require nutritonal assessment and counselling.

As part of their registration Dietitians are required to participate in a continuing competency programme and individuals are routinely audited in order to maintain their annual practising certificate.