My motivation to remain an active member of MANZ and the opportunity to join the Executive Committee revolves around utilising my knowledge, built from our industry, and transferring my governance knowledge/experience to assist the MANZ organisation to move forward and to support our membership.

I am looking forward to  establishing a solid foundation to develop our future whakawhanaungatanga of massage therapy, allied health, and primary health care.

• 2020 Bachelor of Health Studies (NMT), NZCM Wellington
• 2020 Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy, Casley-Smith Australia
• 2018 Oncology Massage, OML Australia

I began my massage career about four years ago in 2017, by renting a room at an Osteopath clinic in Wellington CBD. After our first COVID lockdown I threw caution to the wind and started Waiora Collective, a Complementary Therapies & Holistic Health studio in Porirua.

As a fledgling in our industry, it may seem odd that I have agreed to be thrown in the deep end as Co-chair and hold the Complaints portfolio for our association. I often said while studying at NZCM that I would participate and contribute to our governing body. So, here I am.

Massage New Zealand Incorporated is ready for progression. Our deficit of matauranga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in our documentation and policies, highlights the necessity to implement our kawanatanga in a more inclusive environment.

Working collaboratively with fellow Co-chair, Florence Samuels will have many advantages, and I am looking forward to learning from her and establishing a solid foundation to develop our future whakawhanaungatanga of massage therapy, allied health, and primary health care.

So, if you want to be part of this exciting progression, please contact us, as there are plenty of work groups where your participation will be valued.

Bernie was co-opted as Vice-President in May 2021. This role was then altered to Co-chair and ratified at the Special General Meeting on 1st August 2021. Bernie was elected as Co-chair at the AGM in September 2021.

Bernie looks after the MANZ complaints portfolio. Email: Complaints 

For other executive related matters, email Bernie: Co-chair

The lovely people on the MANZ Executive Committee, their enthusiasm and passion are what inspired me to put my name forward and I look forward to being part of the team.

• Degree in Applied Science (completed 2nd year)
• BCom – Accounting
• ALA Accredited Lymphoedema Practitioner
• Diploma in Reflexology
• Certificate in Oncology Massage - OM1 & OM2

I commenced my journey into Bodywork only 6 years ago, starting with a Relaxation & Rejuvenation Massage course at the Lotus College here in Dunedin. I found I loved working with the feet so I Completed a Diploma in Reflexology. While attending a workshop on Reflexology Lymphatic Drainage (RLD) I discovered the lymphatic system, and it became one of my passions.

I attended many workshops over the next couple of years and in 2019 I went back to Otago Polytech to complete the second year of the Degree in Applied Science. Early 2020 I completed my Decongestive Therapist training and am now a certified therapist. I have also completed training in Oncology Massage and Scar therapy. I love what I do and am continually learning.

Alongside of training for my new massage career I have been working in my other career as a Management Accountant for a local business.

Previously, I have been the Treasurer for my children’s school BOT and Reflexology New Zealand. On both committees I was involved with Policy, Strategic planning, and HR. I feel these skills will help, as we progress to increase our recognition as a respected professional body.

Vicki was elected as Treasurer at the AGM in 2021.

Email: Treasurer

I would love for MANZ to develop as an organisation that organically gives effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi; able to reflect that we are a profession within Aotearoa New Zealand with a uniqueness that is ours because of the land we are living in, for the benefit of all.

My aim is to share rich forms of critical enquiry that extend our perceptions of the body in various stages of life with evidence-informed practice. I look forward to reaching out to massage practitioners and prompting diverse approaches to increasing the benefits of knowing about research in professional practice.

• PhD AERA Qualitative Research SIG 2018 outstanding award for a doctoral dissertation
• MEd GDHE
• Senior Level 3 Teacher Yoga Australia/NZ
• Dip. Remedial Massage
• Dance Victorian College of Arts

Felicity brings more than 25 years of clinical massage, education and research experience. Felicity was drawn to the enquiry of human movement as a communicative form through somatics and contemporary dance. She completed her Diploma in Remedial Therapy at Wellpark College (1995) and worked at the Westmere clinic (BodyStill) since 2000. With tertiary qualifications in education, Felicity helped develop Relaxation Massage and Applied Anatomy courses in the early days of NZQA. Also, then undergraduate dance degrees at Unitec (BPASA), the University of Auckland and AUT. In 2014, Felicity became the Wellpark College Programme Leader for Massage and Yoga, and Education Advisor teaching Naturopathy and Nutrition students research methods and critical thinking. In order to maintain ‘practice’ as the source of knowing the body, Felicity maintains a long-term yoga practice with Senior Iyengar teacher, Peter Thompson.

Felicity was co-opted as an Executive Committee Member in November 2021, and ratified at the 2022 AGM (previously Research Officer from September 2018 to May 2020). 

Email: Felicity Molloy via the MANZ Administrator 

I joined MANZ as an executive member as I think I can bring valuable experience and knowledge. I want to raise the profile of evidenced-based women’s health massage and Aromatherapy and help to raise the profile of massage therapy within the health sector of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

• 2022 Healthy Seminars - Obstetric Acupuncture -UK

• 2022 Spinning Babies® Workshop- NZ
• 2021 Wellmother -Diploma in Pregnancy Massage – UK
• 2019 NCNZ Diploma in Health Sciences Level 5 – NZ
• 2017 SIT -Certificate in Health Sciences Level 3 – NZ
• 2016 Bliss Baby -Yoga Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training – NZ
• 2016 PVA Ayurvedic Herbology and Pharmacology – India
• 2015 PVA Ayurvedic Massage and Panchakarma Therapy –India
• 2014 Pregnancy Massage Australia Certificate – Australia
• 2012 TTC - Traditional Thai Massage certificate –Thailand
• 2009/13 WRC Western Herbology Diploma - Canada
• 2008 ITEC -Diploma in Holistic Massage -Scotland
• 2008 ITEC -Diploma in Aromatherapy - Scotland
• 2003 New Zealand School of Massage - Certificate in Massage - NZ

My massage career started in 2003 with a weekend course at NZCM. I was drawn to massage to help my father, who has psoriatic arthritis. Since my first course, I have worked, studied, and trained therapists around the world.

In 2014 I found my niche working with pregnant women, as I worked in a clinic next to three maternity hospitals in Sydney, where many pregnant clients came in and sometimes visited in latent labour. I thought I had sufficient training in this area but after an incident where a pregnant woman passed out on the table, I took every course I could on Pregnancy Massage & Prenatal Aromatherapy. I have trained with many of the world's experts, including Carole Osborne, Suzanne Yates, Tisserand and Paula Jasper.

When I returned to New Zealand in 2016, because of my expertise, I was welcomed by NZCM Wellington to be a tutor and write course content for Pregnancy Massage, Aromatherapy and Advanced Prenatal Massage CPD courses.

Since being back in New Zealand, I have created a thriving practice caring for women in their childbearing years and woman with chronic pain. I have also been involved in research for Aromatherapy as a topic expert. I strive to keep up to date in the industry and am currently studying at Wintec for a level 6 Diploma in Remedial Massage which will be finished in 2023.

Lauryn was elected as an Executive Committee Member at the AGM in September 2022. 

Email: Lauryn Johnston

We Need You! If you’re an MANZ member passionate about making a difference, consider joining the Executive Committee. Your involvement is crucial! Email the Administrator for a copy of the Role Description, or contact the Co-chairs for more information.  the Administrator for a copy of a Role Description or contact the Co-chairs for more information. 

Born and educated in Dunedin. I graduated from Otago Polytechnic with a Diploma in Accounting. I am a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand. I have had more than 20 years experience assisting clients with their accounting and taxation needs; navigating compliance requirements.

Outside of work I enjoy walks on the beach at our crib in Taieri Mouth. Visiting family in Melbourne & knitting for my grandbabies.