CHAIR

As a board member for ExerciseNZ, I will bring a multifaceted skill set that aligns to the right personal attributes—starting with a robust academic history completing an MBA, achieving top Strategic Student for my year. A 30-year career in Fitness, Club Management and Ownership, National Training Manager for Les Mills New Zealand, and International Master Trainer for Les Mills. More recently, I have founded four successful startups and currently Chair two boards, Rotary Hutt Valley and Women of Worth. My skills and experience are only equalled by my rich and deep passion for developing those in the fitness industry.

DEPUTY CHAIR

Reece has been in the fitness industry for more than 30 years. He currently works largely as a consultant to the industry with clients in New Zealand, Australia and China.

Prior to consulting, Reece was the CEO of Les Mills New Zealand for some 11 years. Reece has operational experience ranging from being a group fitness teacher, PT, gym floor staff, management, owner operator of a small club and large gym general manager.

Ish Cheyne’s fitness career spans over 25 years, and he is currently the Head of Fitness for Les Mills New Zealand’s Senior Leadership Team. Ish has a strong skill set in change management and operational strategy and is known as a key influencer in the fitness industry.

He is an accomplished communicator and keynote speaker and presents internationally in areas of Leadership, Fitness strategy, Personal Training and Sales. Ish has an innovative approach to doing things ‘outside the box’ and has developed paradigm shifts around the way Les Mills runs its fitness departments.

I have been fortunate to have worked in the fitness industry for over 30 years. Every day I feel excited to be a part of this industry knowing that my role has a positive effect on our members and community. A career in fitness is not about the money – you need to truly care about others, be inclusive of every culture, religion and sexual orientation and embrace change.

I started my career in a community gym and then moved to Les Mills and spent over 8 years managing the Auckland City Club. I then moved to open Les Mills in New Lynn and have spent over 18 years managing this club which ranks no 1 on ROI, staff satisfaction, NPS and membership growth in the Les Mills group. I have worked in all areas of the gym and therefore have a deep understanding of the procedures and culture needed to be successful. I will commit my experience, passion and energy to Exercise NZ as it works to improve our amazing industry.

Ashleigh is dedicated to providing purposeful support to our community and whanau, fostering greater physical activity. Ashleigh’s commitment extends from the simplicity of a leisurely walk to the intensity of a rigorous gym session, all in pursuit of enhancing both physical and mental well-being. As a passionate creative, Ashleigh is driven to innovate and inspire positive change in our community’s health and wellness sector.

Ben has spent more than a decade engaged in various ownership and senior leadership roles within the health and fitness industry globally.

Ben is dedicated to the organisation’s development and expansion, as well as the growth of the New Zealand exercise industry, the exercise professionals within it, and the promotion of exercise to the community.

Chris joins us with a wealth of experience from a variety of industries in roles involving leadership, coordination, strategy, and nurturing long-term connections.

With strong planning and implementation expertise and a highly effective communicator, Chris loves a task and thrives on getting stuff done.

He was a provincial Basketball rep for a decade, a senior Cricket, Indoor cricket, and Touch representative, and a former Basketball Coach and Referee. Chris has also been a Les Mills member for 30 years.

Qualified in Fitness Industry Training, he was a Circuit Instructor and PT at Les Mills Christchurch back in the day.  He was also Club Manager at Les Mills Ferrymead until the earthquakes hit and shut the club down for good.

A few of Chris’s favourite things are Travel, visiting 35-plus countries, Music and concerts, most sports, Biking, Hiking, and Family – with two tremendous teenagers, (believe it or not!) Molly 18 and Charlie 16, his wonderful companion and Travel Consultant wife, Helen, and his Huntaway, Kramer Greg Ashton.

Specialising in web support, registration of exercise facilities and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses, Project development and helps Exercise New Zealand with the running of it’s national conference FitEx.

Charlie first started in the industry in 2005 as a Sales Manager for successful facilities in Christchurch. After a short break away he came back to manage two facilities in Christchurch before coming on board with REPs in July 2008.

Nathan has been with ExerciseNZ since 2000 where he worked part-time, while studying towards his BA and Graduate Diploma in Teaching.

After completion of study, he became a full-time employee and has held many different roles in both REPs and ExerciseNZ over the past twenty plus years with the organisation. 

Nathan’s main roles are around, finance, supporting and training the team, and assisting with event coordination.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Nikki has worked around the world in the fitness industry for nearly 30 years as a group exercise instructor, personal training, studio co-ordinator and small business owner and landed in NZ in 2007. Since then Nikki has contracted to many NZ facilities and enjoys a large exercise network.

She started in her Auckland based role with ExerciseNZ in October 2018. As Nikki loves talking exercise, her aim is to connect as many facilities and independent exercise providers as she can, she looks forward to meeting you soon.

IOC

IOC

Moana began her fitness journey at 17 and, with 31 years in the industry, her passion is unwavering. Based in Christchurch, she leads Bodyfix, a haven established in 2011 to make exercise accessible and inviting for all.

Moana believes in exercise as a pathway to a vibrant, happy life. Bodyfix, born from this belief, is more than a gym—it’s a community where members are empowered, supported, and celebrated. With a team of 20 dedicated professionals, Bodyfix is a testament to Moana’s vision of making fitness a joyful, communal experience, echoing her lifelong commitment to fostering health, happiness, and connection.

ELC

After completing her Bachelor’s studies in Sport and Exercise Science and Nutrition at AUT, Geena ventured into the fitness industry, taking on roles as a Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, and Nutrition Coach in commercial gyms. Fueled by her passion for high-performance team sports and community health, she directed her career towards Les Mills Group Fitness Management. Geena presently serves as the National Group Fitness Manager at Les Mills New Zealand, steering the group fitness strategy and overseeing a high-performing team of Group Fitness Managers, the National Trainer, Assessor and Presenter Squad, and the nationwide Group Fitness Instructor community.

ELC

My passion for driving and supporting physical activity throughout multiple communities arose while completing my Masters degree in Health Science in which I majored in Community Health.

I have previously worked at Sport Canterbury in the Green Prescription team to support a range of individuals and whānau throughout Ōtautahi to flourish through physical activity. I am now fortunate enough to be working at Christchurch City Council as an Active Communities Coordinator in the Recreation and Sports Unit. This involves supporting the engagement of communities to develop, co-design, implement and promote accessible, inclusive/diverse programmes, with the aim to improve physical activity, health and wellbeing outcomes.