Ever wondered what it'd be like to help people relax and feel gorgeous for a living? We talk to beauty therapist Catherine Peters about her work at Polynesian Spa...

Name: Catherine
Age: Young! (I never disclose!)
Employer/company: Polynesian Spa
Position: Beauty Therapist for a wonderful New Zealand natural mineral spa

Can you give us a brief job description? Polynesian Spa has 13 therapists working on fantastic mineral spa treatments. We do natural mineral wraps, treatments and polishes with thermal mud (really invigorating!), New Zealand manuka honey and yoghurt (gorgeous!) a pumice scrub - and Polynesian Spa is also famous for its Aix Spa Massage (jets of hot water massaging the body). Some of the treatments include essential oils such as lavendar and eucalyptus - to help people relax. Most full body treatments take an hour, and you're mostly dealing with people on holiday. They are de-stressing and leave here absolutely happy. I love this work!

How did you get this job? I used to work for the Government - and I decided I didn't want to do that forever. I saw an advert for Imagez Beauty College in Rotorua and dived right in. I came out after two years as a fully qualified spa and beauty therapist, and was tapped on the shoulder by Polynesian Spa. It's amongst the best thermal spas in the world (right here in Rotorua, New Zealand) so I was delighted!

What inspired you to get into this field? I've always been interested in spa and beauty therapy. The way you look helps you feel confident, and feeling confident helps you in every aspect of your life.

What is a typical week at work like for you? Polynesian Spa offers 30, 60 and 90minute spa therapies - the clients choose the therapies they want. Many clients opt for one hour spa therapies. I really love the honey yoghurt body boost - a 90 min spa therapy. I get to do that quite a bit. It's a full body scrub that really exfoliates the surface of the skin, making it feel smooth and soft. After the wrap, clients luxuriate in a massage and when they leave they are totally relaxed! Here at Polynesian Spa it's all about relaxation and well-being.  I get to do many different treatments every day - that keeps it interesting.

What do you enjoy about your job most of all? The visitors to Rotorua, who just love the place and the spa, and my workmates. We're a great, happy bunch, and this is a great place to work.

Best perks of the job? The people, the people, the people!  I even have a client who still emails me from Hawaii - she owns a spa there, and had such a great time here she wants to keep in contact.

What things do you think make your job different or fun? This job leaves everyone you deal with feeling happy. You can make a difference. That's a pretty amazing thing to be able to do.

What personality traits/skills/attributes help a person get a job like yours? You've got to be outgoing and you've got to put yourself in your client's shoes - how they're feeling - and then help them to de-stress.

Most memorable moment of your job so far? I love it when VIPs come in. Not mentioning any names of course! But they love the therapies... and it's great seeing them in a New Zealand-owned and operated top-ranking spa.

Any advice for nzgirls wanting to get into this field? Follow your heart. If you are passionate about beauty and spa therapy, you'll get there. You'll achieve if you really want to......

Where would you like to go from here? I've got to say - I'm happy just where I am! I live in my own home now, I do a job I love and I'm an avid kick-boxing fan, which I do to keep fit.  For now, I've got it all! (If I wanted to, though, I could use my experience in spas to travel and work).