Hannah has qualifications in Massage Therapy L5 (WINTEC) as well as a BCom & DipGrad (Accounting) and a BA (Community Family Studies) from Otago University.

Hannah’s client base ranges from professional athletes to people seeking treatment for headaches, neck pain or stress. Passionate about supporting new parents she volunteers her time and speaks at local ante natal classes.

In 2018 she completed her 200 hours Yoga Teaching Training and then a 50 hour Yin Yoga Training in 2019. In 2023 Hannah became an approved provider to HPSNZ.

With a background in accounting and auditing, Hannah brings a unique understanding of financial management and compliance, combined with her expertise in massage therapy, allowing her to approach MANZ governance from a holistic and practical perspective.

 
Hannah was elected as Treasurer at the AGM in September 2024.

Born in the UK, I moved to Christchurch in 2008 especially to study at the Canterbury College of Natural Medicine, gaining a Diploma of Massage in 2010. I chose massage as a career change from Law, after feeling the incredible benefits massage gave me after my 2nd knee operation. I've never looked back.

I specialise in noticing posture stresses on the musculoskeletal system, Trigger Point Therapy, myofascial and deep tissue body work along with bloody good pregnancy massage.

When I'm not working hands-on with humans, I'm working hands-on with plants and creating a forest garden with food resilience in mind.

With experience as a former Secretary for a local community board, Thea brings valuable administrative skills and a passion for supporting MANZ’s growth. Thea is dedicated to maintaining the association’s progress and ensuring it continues to thrive.

Thea was elected as Secretary at the AGM in September 2024.

Email Secretary

• Diploma in Clinical Sports and Massage
• Diploma in Therapeutic Massage
• Reiki Master
• Diploma in Intuitive Vibrational Healing

Massage Journey

My initiation to massage was from my dad and I followed in his footsteps of providing massage to whanau and sports teams for aroha. Later after a serious neck injury massage was one of the few therapies, along with aromatherapy baths, that helped with pain management. I decided to retrain, to shift sport and holistic wellbeing from hobbies to a career. My professional career in massage began as the first fulltime massage locum in Auckland until I settled into a contract position with HealthZone Medical Clinic specialising in sports massage.

I commenced teaching massage shortly after graduating, having staff training and educator experience and continue working in massage education.

Journey onto the Executive

After providing a lot of feedback during the MANZ review in 2020-2021, I decided that I needed to be involved and not just protest from the side lines. It is important to me to give back and support future massage therapists to achieve their life goals and enter the profession I love so much. My journey in massage has been supported by others throughout my career which is one of the great things about this profession and industry. I am proud to be a massage therapist and my wish is that massage therapists continue to graduate as well educated, informed, client centred, culturally responsive, professional, holistic practitioners who love what they contribute to their communities.

To me Massage Aotearoa New Zealand needs to be membership driven and responsive; inclusive: open to new ideas and ways of operating; be political and advocate for the profession and influence the industry; be proactive and provide leadership. That leadership needs to be membership driven through engagement and involvement so that our national association influences the direction for our profession. We on the executive are human and if you leave it to us alone, you get our best but from a limited number of perspectives. My wish is for membership to get involved and help to get massage integrated and recognised in our countries healthcare system, acknowledging the contribution massage therapists make to wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand. So provide MANZ feedback, ideas and propose solutions for old problems to assist the association to be more representative of the larger collective.

Shelley Moana was elected as Executive Committee Member at the AGM in September 2021. In December 2021, Shelley Moana took on the portfolio of AHANZ rep for MANZ. In 2023 Shelley Moana was elected as Education Officer at the AGM

Email: Shelley Moana Hiha 

• Bachelor of Health Studies (Neuromuscular Massage Therapy)
  

I've been a member of MANZ ever since I first qualified as a Level 6 therapist. Initially, I saw it as a "tick the box" requirement to become registered with Southern Cross. However, as I transitioned from being an employed therapist to working for myself, being a member of our national body has taken on much greater significance.

It's been valuable for raising client awareness and educating them about the industry that I’m so passionate about. More importantly, it's become a platform for me to expand my own awareness and contribute to ensuring that massage therapy remains firmly recognised as an allied health practice.

As for why I’ve decided to step into the MANZ committee now – after witnessing first-hand the profound impact of massage therapy in my clinic, I want to channel my energy into contributing to the "behind the scenes" efforts that shape our profession in this country.

I feel my drive, ambition, and unique "Sophie-isms" are ready for this new challenge, and I’m excited to bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to the MANZ committee.

Looking forward to what’s ahead!

Sophie was elected onto Te Rōpū Kaitiaki at the AGM in September 2024.

I am born and raised in France where, after a short career as a dancer due to injury, I qualified as an air traffic controller for the French Navy. I arrived in New Zealand in 2018 with my husband and took over massage studies at SIT where I obtained the bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic and Sports Massage (level 7) in 2020. I am a registered massage therapist with Massage Aotearoa New Zealand since 2018 and I am also a Pilates instructor helping individuals and athletes in Central Otago, beautiful part of Aotearoa. As a former dancer, archer, and navy veteran I have a unique perspective on body mechanics, stability, and resilience. These experiences, along with my curiosity for research, have led me to publish two papers, further contributing to the industry’s knowledge base and driving my own passion for learning and helping my clients to achieve Hauora.

In addition to my hands-on work, I taught clinical reasoning and orthopaedic assessment at the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) to aspiring therapists. As a Pilates instructor, I emphasize core strength, alignment, and mindful movement, tailoring classes to suit a range of abilities and conditions.

Whether through hands-on therapy, teaching, or research, and with my passion for learning and growth I am dedicated to support our association being part of Te Rōpū Kaitiaki and helping the industry move forward.

Hélène was elected onto Te Rōpū Kaitiaki at the AGM in September 2024.