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True wellbeing comes from within.

Let us help you on your journey.

We are registered medical doctors and specialist general practitioners (GP), and are registered with the New Zealand Medical Council.

We are available for virtual consultations for patients New Zealand wide, as well as for in person appointments in Nelson (Dr Alannah), and Tauranga (Dr Cheryl).

  • Dr Cheryl and Dr Alannah are both accepting new patients
  • Dr Marissa is accepting new patients for peri/menopause & hormone health consultations only – new patients wanting lifestyle medicine consultations can still book with Dr Cheryl or Dr Alannah
Dr Marissa Kelaher
About Dr Marissa

  • Dr Marissa Kelaher

    FRNZCGP, Lifestyle & Integrative Medicine GP

    I’m Marissa, a GP and Lifestyle Medicine doctor in beautiful Golden Bay, New Zealand. I discovered Lifestyle Medicine after wanting to be able to offer people an evidence-based holistic natural approach to health. 

    Specialising in holistic health consultations, I like taking an in-depth look at your current health and future goals, and creating a highly tailored plan to help you achieve optimal health and wellbeing. 

    I am a Fellow of the Royal NZ College of General Practitioners, with additional training in Lifestyle Medicine, and am currently completing a Fellowship with the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine.

    My completed postgraduate education includes nutritional and environmental medicine; integrative peri/menopause wellbeing; nutrigenomics; metabolic and heart health; longevity; and thyroid and adrenal conditions.

    Tests I use include nutrigenomic (DNA) testing, gut microbiome testing, and other functional tests if needed and desired, and have a special interest in personalised precision medicine, and mind body medicine.

    I enjoy helping and empowering people to regain control of their health. I can help with hormonal health issues, heart health, gut health, autoimmune disease, metabolic health, thyroid and adrenal health, holistic mental wellbeing, and non-diet weight management.

    My clinics are fully online (virtual appointments only), Wednesday to Friday.

    I live with my husband and two homeschooled boys. Outside of work I enjoy outdoor adventures, travel, yoga, music, photography and gardening. I have travelled to over 80 countries around the world, with many more on my list ❤️

    I look forward to helping you on your journey to better health!

    PLEASE NOTE: I am not taking on any new patients at present (as of January 2025).

Dr Cheryl Pittar
About Dr Cheryl

  • Dr Cheryl Pittar

    MBChB, DCH, FRNZCGP, ASLM, ACNEM

    I am an integrative and Lifestyle Medicine specialist GP with over 15 years of experience in general practice.

    I am based in Mount Maunganui, I offer online consultations to clients across Aotearoa, as well as in person consultations in Tauranga.

    My healthcare journey began as a registered nurse, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology and Psychology, before I went on to study medicine and become a Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.

    My focus is on a personalised approach, looking at the root causes of your health concerns. I enjoy helping and supporting people seeking to improve and optimize their wellbeing.

    I have a special interest in gut health, mental health, adult ADHD, Long Covid/CFS/ME recovery, burnout, holistic support for weight management, autoimmune disease, and metabolic/heart health.

    I combine the best of conventional medicine with optional advanced functional testing if needed, including DNA nutrigenomic analysis, mitochondrial testing, and gut microbiome profiling.

    These insights can help guide tailored treatment plans that prioritise sustainable lifestyle changes to improve nutrition, sleep, stress management, movement, and emotional health.

    My mission is to empower you to be able take charge of your own health, by uncovering the underlying drivers of illness, and moving towards a life of vitality, fulfilment, and joy.

    Outside of work, I enjoy travel, running, and spending time with my partner, my adult son, and my wider family and friends.

    I look forward to meeting you, and helping you on your journey to optimal health!

Dr Alannah Stockwell
About Dr Alannah

  • Dr Alannah Stockwell

    MBChB, FRNZCGP, DipOMG (Otago), AdvCert Skin Cancer Medicine & Surgery (SCCA)

    I’m a GP and Lifestyle Medicine specialist based in Nelson, New Zealand.

    I offer online video appointments NZ wide, with in-person consultations available in Nelson on request.

    I’m a Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, with extensive postgraduate training and experience. I hold a Diploma in Obstetrics and Medical Gynaecology (Otago) and have worked in the field of sexual and reproductive health for over ten years. I’ve also completed advanced studies in nutritional and environmental medicine, clinical micronutrient training for mental health, nutrigenomics, and medicinal cannabis.

    My approach combines conventional medicine with evidence-informed strategies from integrative and lifestyle medicine. I work collaboratively with each person to explore underlying causes and support healing through personalised care that restores balance.

    I believe sustainable health comes from truly understanding the whole person. It’s not just about managing symptoms, but empowering you with the knowledge, tools, and support to thrive long term.

    I can help you with:

    Support to make sustainable lifestyle changes, along with personalised advice for managing concerns such as weight gain, fatigue, stress, poor sleep, peri and postmenopausal symptoms, gut health, inflammation, and insulin resistance. I’m passionate about helping people optimise their cardiovascular and metabolic health — to feel vibrant now, while reducing the risk of chronic conditions and staying well as they age.

    Outside of work, I’m a mum to two young children who fill my life with love and laughter. I enjoy the outdoors, travelling, sharing good food, and spending quality time with friends and family.

In health and happiness,
Dr. Marissa Kelaher & the YLM team

What can I expect at my initial appointment?

At your initial appointment, you will receive:
A detailed pre-appointment questionnaire to complete in advance of your appointment
Time and space to explore your health concerns in a safe and supportive environment
An in-depth holistic review of your symptoms, as well as your personal and health history
Comprehensive testing as needed – funded through community labs where possible
Optional of non-funded personalised/precision medicine testing (see more information below)
A highly individualised treatment plan, based on your personal goals and health priorities
Coaching, advice, and support, to help you achieve your optimal health
Up-to-date evidence-based practical tools and resources to help you create lasting change
Follow-up options to provide you with ongoing support, accountability and assistance
Investment for initial consultations: $390 NZD (additional charges may apply if you require review of previous testing/management beyond interpreting basic lab testing and reading medical specialist letters)

At your follow-up appointments, you can expect:

At your follow up appointments, you will receive:
Review and monitoring of your progress, response to treatment, and ongoing goals
Adjustments to your health plan as needed, based on what matters to YOU
Discussion and in-depth analysis of any further testing requested
Updating health goals as needed
A deeper understanding of how your nutrition and lifestyle are affecting your health, and what you can do to improve these
Accountability and support to keep you on track as you make changes
We will help you feel empowered, heard, and truly cared for, and we take the time to listen!
Investment: $359 for 60 minute follow-up; $269 for 45 minute follow-up; $179 for 30 minute follow-up
Most people benefit from at least one or two follow-up appointments, to allow time to fully explore their health, and establish a path to lasting wellbeing.

We have many patients who choose to have ongoing regular check-ins after their initial series of appointments, but can discuss what option may work best for you.

We can help you with…

A proactive, holistic health plan, tailored to your unique needs, with ongoing support, advice, and coaching as needed
An in-depth wellbeing assessment, and advice on evidence-based lifestyle and integrative strategies to manage your health issues
Highly personalised treatment plans, tailored to your unique needs
In-depth testing such as nutrigenomics (tailored lifestyle and diet advice based on your DNA); pharmacogenomics (DNA testing looking at tolerance/metabolism of prescription medications); continuous glucose monitoring; hormone testing; and gut microbiome testing
Help and support to make lasting, achievable weight management, using a positive eating intuitive non diet approach
Lifestyle changes instead of medication (where safe to do so), or in conjunction with medication to manage existing health issues
A whole-person approach to perimenopause or menopause, optimising current symptoms and future wellbeing (including prescribing HRT if needed and desired)
Targeted individualised management of menopause-related issues such as osteoporosis, insulin resistance, heart disease or high cholesterol.
Long term goals of reducing or stopping medication for chronic disease, and assistance in safely titrating these down, in conjunction with lifestyle changes
Reducing risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, or dementia due to family history
Exploring and optimising a plant-based or vegan diet, ensuring you are reaching your full potential
Holistic management of conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol
Assessing new health conditions, to support and empower you to improve these through lifestyle and nutrition
An in-depth wellbeing assessment, and advice on evidence-based lifestyle and integrative strategies to manage your health issues
Highly personalised treatment plans, tailored to your unique needs
Strategies and testing (as needed) to optimise gut health, including addressing digestive symptoms and overall wellbeing
A holistic approach to mental health and wellbeing, which can include looking at lifestyle changes instead of medication (where safe to do so), or in conjunction with medication as needed
Integrative management of adult ADHD (please note these are not formal ADHD diagnostic assessments)
Additional functional testing as needed including DNA nutrigenomic analysis, mitochondrial testing, and gut microbiome profiling
Sustainable lifestyle changes to improve nutrition, sleep, stress management, movement, and emotional health
Support with fatigue, gut health, immune health, or hormone health
In depth assessment of new health conditions, to support and empower you to improve these holistically
Long covid and chronic fatigue/ME recovery
Guidance for weight management using sustainable, personalised strategies tailored to your physiology and lifestyle
Nutritional and lifestyle support for chronic conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes
Comprehensive health assessments and treatment plans, using evidence-based lifestyle and integrative strategies tailored to your individual needs and goals
Lifestyle-based or combined medication approaches, with support to reduce or simplify medications where appropriate
A focus on optimising health, reducing the impact of ageing, increasing health-span, and preventing chronic disease for both men and women
Guidance for weight management using sustainable, personalised strategies tailored to your physiology and lifestyle – including GLP-1 medication prescribing and monitoring as needed.
Nutritional and lifestyle support for chronic conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes
A whole-person approach to common symptoms such as overwhelm, poor sleep, nervous system dysregulation, and burnout — helping you restore balance and resilience
Access to in-depth testing, including nutrigenomics, pharmacogenomics, hormone panels, continuous glucose monitoring, and gut microbiome profiling
Holistic care for women across all life stages — including menstrual irregularities, endometriosis, PCOS, perimenopause, and menopause (with HRT prescribing available if desired)
A warm, collaborative approach to care, offering ongoing support, education, and coaching as needed
Training and clinical experience in medicinal cannabis — with advice on whether it may be appropriate for your situation
woman with red hair is tired

Are you a woman in your 30s, 40s or 50s & noticing your body changing?

We also offer holistic integrative menopause & perimenopause consults


Hot flushes, night sweats, and periods changing are what we typically associate with menopause. Yet symptoms such as brain fog, mood swings, irritability , joint pains, palpitations, poor sleep and stubborn weight gain can all also be linked to hormone changes – often years before periods stop! 

Perimenopause and menopause can be times of huge transition, but they can equally be times you thrive, and enter a new vibrant phase of life.
Dr Marissa specialises in holistic in-depth menopause consultations, to help you reclaim your health and wellbeing again.
Listen to your symptoms & concerns
Explore the role nutrition & other factors may be having
Take a comprehensive look at your current health
Understand risk factors for future health issues
Simple, practical strategies, support, and coaching, with targeted supplementation if needed
Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT, also known as HRT hormone replacement therapy), if desired

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Lifestyle Medicine doctors complement the care you receive from your primary care provider or specialist. We don’t replace them.

We see our role as providing a holistic overview towards your wellbeing, and being able to dive deep into health issues and concerns. This is often hard to do within normal GP appointments!

While traditional medicine tends to focus on symptoms and diseases in different body systems, we look at the bigger picture – how multiple factors interplay to affect health.
This means we can help address these root causes of illness, and help you achieve optimal health, alongside traditional medical care.  

We work together with all members of your healthcare team, and have a great network of trusted allied health providers who can collaborate with us as needed.  
Our expertise lies in preventing, managing and treating chronic diseases that are lifestyle-related.

We give you the option of how much information we share back with your doctor, but encourage you to keep them in the loop too, as this way you get the best care from everyone! 
Lifestyle Medicine takes a whole-person approach to health, addressing all the factors that impact on our wellbeing. 

It flips healthcare upside down. Rather than relying on pills and procedures to control symptoms, it aims to improve wellbeing from the inside out.

Lifestyle Medicine is highly evidence based and recommended by health experts around the world as a way to prevent, treat, and potentially even reverse illness. 
Lifestyle Medicine does not rely on expensive supplements, subscriptions, or diet plans. It is simple, achievable, highly sustainable, and affordable!
$390 for an initial 1-hour appointment including detailed management plan and review of health questionnaire.

$359 for an in depth 1-hour follow-up appointment

$269 for a standard 45-minute follow-up appointment

$179 for a 30 min standard follow-up appointment 

$30 for non-urgent repeat prescriptions more that 2 weeks before/after a consultation (please allow 2 working days, only for medications initiated/altered by us, see your GP for standard repeats)

$30 for email queries (more complex enquiries will be charged at an hourly rate of $329/h). This does not apply to simple queries related to a recent appointment
Any appointment cancellations or rebookings must be made at least 48 HOURS prior to your appointment time, otherwise the full appointment fee will be charged.

If you wish to cancel your consultation with more than 48 hours notice – we can offer you a full refund (less a $60 processing fee for new patient appointments, or $30 for follow-up appointments) to cover the payment gateway and administration fees.

No fee applies if you wish to rebook your appointment, provided any rebookings are made at least 48 hours prior to your appointment.

We are unable to provide a refund for any cancellations or re-bookings made within 48 hours of your scheduled appointment.

In the event of non attendance, no refunds will be given.

More information can be found in our terms and conditions.
Yes, we offer in person appointments in both Tauranga (with Dr Cheryl), and Nelson (with Dr Alannah).

To book in person consultations with Dr Cheryl in Tauranga, please select this option on the booking form.

In person consultations with Dr Alannah are currently by request only, to arrange these please email Dr Alannah directly at alannah@yourlifestylemedics.com

Dr Marissa no longer offers in person appointments, all consultations with her are online only.

If you have previously seen Dr Marissa for an in person appointment, but would prefer to continue with in person appointments rather than online, there is the option of transferring followup care to Dr Alannah – please email her at alannah@yourlifestylemedics.com to enquire.