Our Team

Newtown Acupuncture Centre was established in 2015 with the aim of providing patients with affordable and accessible treatments. Good health should be a right rather than a luxury.

Our acupuncture practitioners hold at minimum a Bachelor of Health Science degrees in Acupuncture, a 4 year, full-time degree program here in NZ. We have a registered nurse on site, who is able to register injuries with NZ's national health insurers, ACC, allowing for subsidised acupuncture treatment.

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We pride ourselves on working as a team. Patients have the option of selecting one practitioner for all their treatments, or they can see a number of different practitioners based on skills, timing, or simply preference.

Our Acupuncturists

Xiao was born in China, where he completed his initial training in Traditional Chinese medicine and pharmacology. He then moved to NZ to study nursing and spent 10 years working in this field in NZ, including post-graduate studies in mental health nursing. Xiao then went on to do a health science degree in Acupuncture through the NZSATCM. In 2015 he opened Newtown Acupuncture alongside his colleagues. 

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Xiao believes that consistency in treatment leads to the best results. Xiao's calm and kind manner goes perfectly with his preference for slightly stronger needling styles. This style of acupuncture can often wield great results, with intensity modified to suit different  temperaments and needs. 

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Fan Xiao Meng  (Shao)

Acupuncturist, Martial Arts Instructor, Registered Nurse.

Director NAC

BHSc Acupuncture, PGCert Nursing (MENH), Diploma TCM and Pharmacology (China) member Acupuncture NZ, ACC Registered

ACC registered  

Email: xiao@newtownacupuncture.co.nz

Laura completed her 4 year acupuncture degree from the New Zealand School of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in Wellington, NZ in 2011. She then undertook a 3 year apprenticeship with her Chinese mentor in Palmerston North, to gain more advanced diagnostic skills in Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture via one on one tutorship. After some time in Golden Bay, she then opened Newtown Acupuncture with her colleagues in 2015. Laura has worked as a clinical supervisor at the school of acupuncture in more recent years, and she has a strong interest in both chronic internal health conditions as well as musculo-skeletal issues and pain management. 

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Laura enjoys treating women's health, including pregnancy, menopause and menstrual disorders. She also see's many patients struggling with chronic health conditions that are not well managed, such as sinusitis, headaches, fatigue, mood disorders, gut health etc. Due to acupunctures broad effects on the nervous, hormonal and immune systems of the body, it is worth inquiring about treatment. Laura can be reached at her email below if you wish to enquire about your options.

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Laura Callaghan

Acupuncturist

Managing Director NAC

BHSc Acupuncture

Level 7 Dip. Tuina (massage), Dip. Qigong/Taichi

Member Acupuncture NZ  

Evergreen Herbal Specialist

ACC registered 

Email: laura@newtownacupuncture.co.nz

Edmund studied extensively through the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, obtaining his bachelor degree, and then his masters. After 7 years of university training, he then worked for  a number of years at The Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Shanghai YueYang Hospital of Intergrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine.

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Fortunately, Edmund and his wife then decided to move to New Zealand, where he took up private practice as well as lecturing for the NZ School of Acupuncture and TCM.

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Edmund brings with him a wealth of knowledge, and his kind and sincere manner makes him an excellent practitioner. 

Edmund Peng Liu
Acupuncturist
Masters Degree in Chinese Medicine
Lecturer at NZ School of Acupuncture & TCM
ACC registered
Member of Acupuncture NZ

Email: contact@newtownacupuncture.co.nz

 Kirsten is a Wellington trained Acupuncturist who began her studies at the New Zealand school of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2010, graduating in December 2013.

After graduating, she followed her dream of travelling the world, whilst working the job she loved - acupuncture! As an acupuncturist on board large cruise liners, she spent 2 years travelling throughout the Caribbean, Mediterranean, South America and the Pacific.

In 2016 she decided it was time to give up her sea legs and return home. She has since focused on Musculoskeletal Acupuncture, working at the pain clinic is Wellington central for 5 years with a multi-disciplinary team. She is passionate about helping people live healthier happier lives. Kirsten believes our health is the most important thing we have, and enjoys so much being able to help people with this.

Her other areas of interest are Cosmetic Acupuncture, Woman’s health, Mental health and Digestive concerns. She uses various treatment techniques under the TCM branch including; Cupping, Electro acupuncture, Gua sha and Tuina.

Kirsten Rodgers

Acupuncturist/ TCM therapist

BHSc Acupuncture

ACC Registered

Member Acupuncture NZ

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Email: contact@newtownacupuncture.co.nz

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Our Massage Therapists

Hernan was introduced to Chinese medicine through his extensive training in martial arts. A number of his teachers were Chinese doctors, who taught him massage and acupuncture techniques to overcome injuries. Hernan's passion led him to practice modern Wushu (Olympic Chinese martial arts), traditional Wushu (Hung Gar, Tsun Chiao, etc), Taichi, Hapkido, western boxing and more extensively traditional Shaolin Kung Fu for over 16 years.

Hernan has a great massage repertoire, skilled at both relaxation and stress relief, as well as strong techniques for the more deep tissue and sports focused clients.

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As well a all these skills, Hernan is a registered lawyer in his home country of Chile, where he studied extensively for 8 years in a competitive university. All these experiences have given Hernan a deep understanding of both mental and physical stress on the body.

See our page on massage here

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Hernan Rojas Nazar
Director NAC
Massage Therapist
Kickboxing Instructor
Shaolin Kung Fu Instructor

Certificates in Deep tissue, Lymphatic, Decontraction, Relaxation and Weight Reduction massages. Reiki practitioner.
Shaolin Kung Fu Instructor
Registered lawyer (Chile)
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Email:hernan@newtownacupuncture.co.nz

Hernan's Massage Availability

Monday 8.30am - 12.30pm

Tuesday 11am - 6.00pm

Wednesday 9am - 2.00pm

Thursday 11am - 6.00pm

* See classes pages for martial arts times.

Katia Nemirovski 
Massage Therapist
Bachelor Degree Psychology (Israel)

Katia is a massage therapist from Israel, with a specialty interest in Shiatsu massage.   

After obtaining a degree in psychology, Katia traveled to India where she discovered the power of touch, natural healing and yoga. Inspired by her journey to combine the physical, mental and emotional aspects of wellness she decided to become skilled in massage therapy.

Shiatsu

Typically Shiatsu is a 'clothes on' therapy practiced on a mattress and often includes work on the head, hands and feet as well as the back, legs, neck, shoulder and abdomen. The practitioner considers the energy flow lines known as 'meridians' from Chinese medicine and stimulates acupressure points along the body. The principles of Shiatsu can be used in a combination with other techniques such as myofascial release, Swedish massage, cupping and Guasha.  It is also recommended before or after acupuncture and sauna. 

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In the last 3 years she has also gained experience in various techniques such as relaxation massage, deep tissue, myofascial release, assisted stretching and joint mobilization. Katia incorporates all of her knowledge and a wide variety of techniques to assist whole being deep relaxation and alignment by releasing tension from the tissues and nervous system in order to trigger the body's natural healing responses. 

Oscar really enjoys working with clients to ensure they feel better, and have ideas to take away with them to continue healing. He enjoys musculoskeletal release work, as well as more general health and wellbeing massages.

He believes that pre and post massage for sports and endurance athletes is key to keeping the body and mind well, and encourages regular sessions. 

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Oscar also enjoys working with older patients, as our elderly community can often be more vulnerable to injuries and pain. So if you would like to do something nice for your parents, or grandparents, keep Oscar in mind. Gift vouchers available.

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Oscar Mac Wynne Ewens
Massage Therapist
Dip. Health Studies NZ College of Massage

Oscar's Massage Availability

Monday's 1pm - 5pm

Sunday's 10am - 4pm