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As part of our new Membership Showcase initiative, we’re honoured to profile some of the exceptional individuals who have shaped and continue to enrich the massage therapy profession in Aotearoa.

This month, we feature Barry Vautier, a Life Member of MANZ and the first President of MNZ (now MANZ) following the 2006 merger of New Zealand’s two national associations. With a career spanning more than three decades, Barry has been instrumental in advancing professional standards and education in Massage Therapy.

In this Q&A, Barry shares his journey into massage, insights into the evolution of the profession, and his enduring passion for promoting professionalism, ethics, and connection within the Massage Therapy community.

"I trained as a Naturopath in Auckland and discovered my strength lay in body therapies. I joined the inaugural NZATMP in 1989 to evolve my techniques and connect with other therapists."

"For me it was a gradual process as I was working full time. I received my Diploma from NZATMP in 1994 at their annual conference. Received the Degree in Massage in 2012 from NZ College of Massage where I had taught Massage for 16 years."

"Mutual respect / Whakaute stands out for me as all healthy interactions and connections require self-respect and thus respect for others with Inclusiveness and diversity."

"Without an association there is no profession. A bunch of individuals working in isolation does not constitute a profession. The massage association has consistent ethics, training, standards of practice and encourages professional development. An association provides support, mentoring, friendship, and collegiality. A medical professor once told me that in life, firstly we need to look after ourselves. Secondly, we need to look after our loved ones and families. Thirdly, we need to look after our occupation, our profession by having an association. Finally, with these all in place, we can be available to support our clients and be of service to society."

"Apart from manual digital skills of being able to “listen” to the client’s tissues, it is important for therapists to have good human relationship skills, and a commitment to professional and personal development."

"Stretching / yoga and walking daily. Keep a healthy plant based diet and practice mindfulness and meditation."

"In the 36 years since massage associations have started in New Zealand, massage training has evolved with a national curriculum and several massage schools. The two main associations merged in 2006 with national standards and a code of ethics. Massage was a hobby industry when I started and is now considered a viable professional career. There has been a surge in massage research since the 1990’s worldwide and now in New Zealand with SIT leading the way. Developing research capacity amongst practitioners is vital if massage is to become part of the health system in NZ. Unfortunately, there are still many massage practitioners not belonging to an association due to the plethora of techniques, and imported practitioners who do not meet the criteria of MANZ. There are many hobbyists who are often poorly trained and choose not to belong to an association. As an expert advisor in massage for the Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC), for the last 20 years, nearly all complaints have been about poorly trained practitioners who have come to the attention of HDC for inappropriate practice and the breaching of ethical standards. Lack of informed consent has been the main concern of cases coming to the attention of HDC."

"That massage cannot help them and is an indulgence. That massage has a sexual connotation That you always need to get undressed for treatment."

"Good listening skills. Empathy and not sympathy. Make the session about them. Keep focused."

"By being extra careful to explain what to expect from the treatment. Get informed consent - always. Relate to the client throughout the massage around about what you are doing and the experience they are having."

"Often. Referring to other health practitioners is an important part of engaging in the health care of the client and being a successful professional therapist."

"Being of service to humanity by relieving discomfort and pain and helping people become aware of their body and mind. Touch evokes intimacy and trust so the development of long-term connections with clients has been mutually satisfying."

"The biggest challenge has been to encourage massage students and practitioners to become professionals by belonging to a massage association. There were many challenges in merging MINZI with TMA in 2006 in my role as first president of MNZ."

"They may want to consider income protection and liability insurance. ACC do not cover clients injured by a massage therapist, as massage therapists are not registered under the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance (HPCA) Act."

NB: MANZ members can access a tailored insurance package through our preferred supplier, BizCover. Designed to meet the specific needs of massage therapists, this package includes professional indemnity and public liability insurance. To get a quote, visit BizCover online or call 0508 249 268. Discount Code is available in the Members Area under Preferred Suppliers.

"Advertise on social media. Tell everyone what you do. Carry your card everywhere. Have a simple website as a calling card. Word of mouth from your clients is your best advertising. Don’t give half price massages but honour your existing clients by giving them a multi-use discount. 

Be patient getting going. It can take a couple of years."

"Expecting to make a living off massage straight away. Under selling your skills. Always rebook a client at the end of an appointment by pointing out the benefits of the treatment when you reassess at the end."

"Get trained and qualified. Have a resolve to succeed. Enjoy your work and continue professional and personal development. Join a professional association such as MANZ!"