From the Heart

My journey to creating Wellness New Zealand began in my teenage years and was influenced, in many ways, by my mother, Christine.

Mum used to gather beautiful wildflowers and herbs and hang them from the ceiling in the lounge, the fragrance would permeate the room, creating a sense of happiness and warmth. She combined these with beeswax and calendula oil to make healing balms and ointments. Learning how to massage and using her own balms, Mum would nurture my siblings and I through this. I remember these massages fondly and what a lovely way it was to connect.

With a strong community spirit, Mum loved to cook for family and friends. She loved to connect through food, experimenting with flavours from her garden.  She was a writer, a lover of music, and had a zest for life.

I feel mum laid the path for my own journey through the fullness of her life; what she gave to others, her caring nature, with joy and connection at the very centre of her being.

My path.

I trained as a Dessert Chef and in Tourism Management before moving to Australia at 21. I found my new home in a beautiful eco-village in the hinterlands of the Sunshine Coast where I was introduced to permaculture and off the grid, sustainable living. This was a place that celebrated people, gardens and food, community and connection.  It had an openness that allowed me to live a more expansive lifestyle.

The parallels with my mother’s passions continued as I started working for organic skin care company, Mukti Botanicals.  It re-ignited my interest in organic products and essential oils and their uses. I trained in Shiatsu massage which gave me a great foundation working with the body in these early years.

A job change to an organic day spa in Montville both making products and treating clients allowed me to combine two of my passions. I had further training in holistic therapies including hot stone, remedial and relaxation massage as well as Ayurvedic and Reflexology sparking a real affinity for hands on healing work.

I started working at The Fountainhead Retreat and was motivated by its alternative cancer treatments. I ran the treatment spa and began using journey therapy and massage. I was introduced to holistic hypnotherapy on a personal level and experienced the power of hypnotherapy as a tool for healing and growth. This drove me to further study of integrative hypnotherapy in Brisbane before returning to New Zealand.

It was a tramp in the Abel Tasman with Dad that ignited the sense of connection and expansiveness I feel when in nature. I began working for a guiding company specialising in gourmet food on the Heaphy Track and in Nelson Lakes and offered massage treatments after the walks. I continued further study in New Zealand and Australia on suggestive hypnotherapy and a range of holistic treatments including, Hawaiian Healing (Lomi Lomi), Reiki, Myofascial release work and life/abundance coaching.

When Mum became ill with cancer, I found these multi-day walks in nature gave me the space to reflect and process.  Days after her funeral I was back on the Heaphy Track hosting a guided walk.  Nights in front of fires, ocean dips and immersing myself in nature helped me to rebuild and heal, leaving my anxieties and fears on the track. I felt the joy come back into my body and it created room to have the courage to face the next part of my journey.

I had found the missing piece from my work experience - connecting in nature. The ability to walk, be present with others and conversation.  To disconnect from technology and reconnect with self was both healing and nurturing. Learning about traditional uses of native flora and hearing the birdsong enhanced this connection.

The Nelson based clinic I have created is a culmination of these learnings.  Offering Intuitive Coaching and Suggestive Hypnotherapy, the clinic forms the foundation of Wellness New Zealand.

Our path.

I believe that life unfolds as we allow it and from that space, we only attract what is aligned.  Sarah, my life partner and business partner is proof of that.  And as our journey together began, we started to bring to life our ‘wellness journey’ concept.

Sarah a PE, health and outdoor education teacher of 18 years, shares a deep love of the outdoors.  Nature and walking played a key part in helping her deal with burnout following the Christchurch earthquakes.  She will always seek out nature and alternative ways of healing to re-balance her system.

It has felt like the most natural progression to blend my two passions, supporting and nurturing people in clinic and walking and connecting in nature – creating multi day journeys and retreats alongside Sarah.  It feels perfect, it feels right.  

I get a real kick out of seeing people be brave and courageous enough to take action to reclaim their life, I say to people that I will be their greatest cheerleader. 

As we enter this new chapter, we are both feeling blessed and energised.