About us
Rachael Brown 
Hi, I’m Rachael the proud owner of Whakatā Massage and Wellness. I have lived in Te Anau since 2003, my husband Perrin and I have two teenage daughters, Jorja and Talia.
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I’ve been lucky enough to have been doing a job I am passionate about since 2003. I love seeing a client leave my clinic room with relaxed muscles, reduced pain and having had time for themselves so they have less stress.
It’s been a dream of mine to have my own clinic, mentor another therapist and create a deeply relaxing space where clients are our number one focus. Covid19 has allowed this to eventuate, originally our lovely clinic space was accommodation but when international travel was suddenly closed I saw the opportunity to create the dream.

Qualifications and training
  • Diploma Therapeutic Massage CCMN 2004
  • Reiki One 2008
  • Certificate Natural Studies NCNZ 2010
  • Reiki Two 2014
  • Reiki Three 2016
  • Reiki Master/Teacher 2016
  • Lymphatic Drainage 2016 
  • Holistic Pulsing 2016
  • Brian Utting massage therapy continued education workshops ongoing since 2016
  • Dry Needling 2018
  • Oncology Massage 2020
  • Registered massage therapist with Massage New Zealand ongoing
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Rachael Brown
Rachael Hughes 
After spending 15 years studying and working in the wine industry it was time for a change. So in 2014, I went back to study with the New Zealand College of Massage in Auckland and worked towards obtaining a certificate in massage therapy.

On top of this qualification I attended short courses in deep tissue, sports and pregnancy massage. On Waiheke Island I worked as a contract massage therapist for several of the islands exclusive resorts.

In 2015 we packed up and made the move to Te Anau. Here I worked for the Fiordland Massage Clinic for just over a year and then mobile for myself until this opportunity to work alongside Rachael Brown at Whakata came along.

​During my time in Te Anau I have attended 2 workshops with a visiting massage teacher and guru from the states. I’ve completed deep tissue techniques for the torso, legs and hips in 2018 and in 2019 completed an in-depth deep tissue course for the neck area. I look forward to seeing you in clinic when you book in.
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Rachael Hughes

Mariana Alvariño 

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Originally from Uruguay I came to New Zealand in 2013 with my partner and we loved it so much we decided to stay,
My interest for alternative medicines has pushed me to learn Traditional Thai Yoga Massage in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 2015. I attended a Holistic Massage training course in Queenstown in 2016 and I completed my Hatha Yoga Teacher training in Rishikesh, India in 2019.
I have recently moved to Te Anau and decided it was my time to start applying these amazing techniques I have learnt along the way.