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We’re super proud to spotlight Annika Leadley, recipient of this year’s Bill Wareham Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Massage Profession!

As she was presented with this prestigious award, MANZ formally acknowledged the incredible impact she has made across our community:

"This year, the Bill Wareham Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Massage Profession is presented to Annika Leadley. 

Annika has provided valuable and far reaching support for MANZ and the massage profession as a whole. 

She has been on the Conference committee for both the Wellington and the Hamilton Conferences, been a Regional Representative for MANZ for the Upper North Island and organised a Waikato monthly therapist meeting with guest speakers. She volunteered at Wintec to assist lectures and often goes out of her way to line any therapists up with resources needed. 

She has facilitated quality continuing professional development for members' by organising the international massage trainer Brian Utting workshops in New Zealand, helping with accommodation and transport. She is always willing to find a venue for promising events coming to her local area and gives her time freely. 

MANZ would like to formally acknowledge her commitment to the betterment of Massage therapy within Aotearoa New Zealand. Thank you."

Below, Annika shares her journey in massage therapy, the power of professional connection, and why belonging to MANZ is so vital:

"When I was living in the UK, I did an introduction to massage evening course, and I loved it so much that my tutor suggested I do my Diploma in Massage, so I did.

After my initial Diploma from the UK, I came back to NZ and joined MANZ, continuing to learn through courses, workshops, and conferences, adding tools to my toolbox like Myofascial Release and Manual Lymphatic Drainage . I am still studying, albeit now it includes psychology papers as well.

Building your own business is a long, slow process, so networking with other therapists - both massage therapists and other Allied Health Care providers, is essential. That’s where I found MANZ to be my lifeline. I met other therapists, engaged in further training, and continued my enthusiasm for massage through those relationships. Having a network of Allied Health Care providers is also important for referring clients when they are outside your scope of practice or need a multidisciplinary approach.

Every person who walks through your clinic door is unique; they come with their own story and how that manifests in their body. The beautiful thing about massage is your client gets one hour of your time focused specifically on them, something they don't get from most healthcare providers. As massage therapists, we can respectfully discuss pain, tension, and physical discomfort within a whole-person approach because we have the time to give them.

Being a massage therapist is a great career. Although you’re unlikely to make a million dollars, it is rewarding in other ways: flexible hours that fit around your family, instant gratification when you see your client walk out relaxed or pain-free, meeting different people, and continuing to learn as no massage is ever the same.

As massage therapists, we need to be proud of our training, the service we provide, and the clients that we care for. Being a member of MANZ is the ultimate recognition of that – honouring ourselves, our profession, and the clients who trust us to work with them."

Thank you, Annika, for sharing your incredible journey and for your unwavering dedication to the massage therapy community in Aotearoa New Zealand. If you're inspired by Annika's story and want to connect with a supportive network of professionals, learn more about joining MANZ today.

Have questions about membership or want to get involved? Feel free to email our team at admin@massagenewzealand.org.nz