Q&A with a local - Tonic Spa’s Kim Buckley

Kim Buckley is a local resident, and the owner of Tonic Spa in the village. She has 70 types of dahlias in her garden and founded the long-established skin, body and beauty spa in the heart of Titirangi Village. a remarkable 26 years ago. Tonic is notable for its calm, retreat-like feel while still being right in the village.

Kim at work

How has your career in the beauty industry evolved?

Training and developing my skills as a beauty therapist has been a big part of the last 37 years, as has building and growing Tonic Spa over the past 26 years. Along the way I’ve also managed to explore a little of the world, with Kenya and Tanzania being two of the highlights.

What does Tonic offer?

Today, Tonic Spa is home to five therapists and two receptionists. As well as all of the beauty essentials, we offer a wide range of skin and body treatments, IPL and advanced skin therapies. Our aim has always been to create a peaceful place where people can step away from everyday life, even if it’s only for an hour or two.

Tonic Spa is a long-standing business. Has it had different chapters in its story?

I started Tonic Spa in 2000 after spending ten years training and working as a beauty therapist in Henderson. I’ve always had a strong interest in health, wellbeing and massage, and my goal was to create a salon where people could enjoy the same sense of relaxation they often experience at a hotel spa while on holiday – an urban spa experience, close to home.

In 2005, we expanded into a purpose-built five-room salon at the old Palmers Garden Centre on Waikumete Hill.

When the Palmers site was sold in 2015, we began looking for a new home and found the former Medical Centre in Titirangi. It gave us the opportunity to create the spa environment we’d always wanted, with four spacious treatment rooms, including two for couples’ treatments.

Your beautiful premises are part of the secret to your popularity. Tell us about them.  

One of my favourite spaces is our upstairs treatment room, which opens onto a balcony overlooking beautiful Kauri and Kahikatea trees. During summer it’s a lovely place for clients to enjoy a pedicure surrounded by nature. We also have a wet room with a deep bath and body treatment table overlooking the bush, along with an infra-red sauna for clients to enjoy before their massage.

Who are you when you're not at work?

Kim out enjoying the Mercer Bay walk.

When I’m not at work, you’ll usually find me in the garden. Over the years I’ve developed what could probably be described as a slight addiction to dahlias. I now have more than 70 different varieties! During summer you’ll find fresh blooms from the garden in vases throughout the salon. 

What do you love most about working here?

I love being part of the Titirangi business community, where we can provide a welcoming space for people to relax and feel cared for. Most of the Tonic team, including myself, live locally, so it’s great to be able to offer employment close to home. We feel incredibly fortunate to live and work in such a special part of Auckland, with beautiful beaches and bush walks.

We know Titirangi is unique in Auckland. What’s truly special about it?

Although Titirangi and the surrounding area have grown over the 11 years that we’ve been here, it has never lost its village feel. I love seeing everyone come together at the Friday evening Christmas market, Flicks in the Lopdell Precinct and the Sunday markets, where you’re almost guaranteed to bump into friends or clients and stop for a chat.

You are a founding member of the Titirangi Business Association. Tell us about that.  

Being a part of developing the Titirangi Business Association has been important to me. I believe that when local businesses work together and support one another, it strengthens both the village and the wider community. Getting to know the people behind the businesses creates a stronger sense of connection, and that’s something I’d love to see continue to grow.

Finally, finish this sentence: "Titirangi is..."

Titirangi is where you can find stillness in the trees or the hum of village life, all right on your doorstep.

Kim (left) enjoying a catch up with a friend after work at Deco