Meet the Married at First Sight New Zealand bride bringing holistic healing to the new season. Reiki performed on a guinea pig is just one of the sights viewers can expect on Three and ThreeNow’s new season of Married at First Sight New Zealand this week. Among the four expertly arranged matches tying the knot and honeymooning in Vanuatu is Tauranga bride Madeleine Gilbert, 37, who may well be our answer to last season’s Australian bride, the holistically gifted Lucinda Light.

Gilbert is a holistic specialist. Among the range of skills she has to offer are acute homeopathy and being a Reiki master , which she does alongside her regular job as an account manager. “I love how gentle the holistic approach is and how it complements other modalities.

I have always loved crystals, and all things natural,” Gilbert tells Spy . “It all really stepped up once I left my marriage, eight years ago - a second chance to be my authentic self for which I am deeply grateful.” The former assistant vet nurse says Reiki therapy can help anyone and everything with regard to supporting humans and animals.

When a MAFS producer asked if they could film Gilbert performing Reiki on a friend, it was her neighbour’s guinea pig Elliott that ended up standing in, and he was thoroughly refreshed after his treatment. After Gilbert’s marriage, which she says was a 10-year relationship, she tried all kinds of dating - including using dating apps , which she says function like looking in a shop .