Management Team

Dr Graeme Ashby – BVSc, BSc(Hons), MACVS
Find me at: Kumeu
Graeme is a partner in the practice and joined Kumeu Veterinary Services in 2007 to lead the companion animal side of the practice. Since Kumeu Veterinary Services & Helensville Veterinary Services merged in 2014 he now leads the Companion Animal team across both clinics. He has successfully completed examinations in companion animal internal medicine, gaining membership […]

Dr Mark Young – BVSc
Find me at: Helensville & Kumeu & Silverdale & Waimauku
Mark is a partner in the practice and works on the equine side of the clinic. He has worked in many diverse places including Gisborne, Matamata & Morocco. Mark is experienced treating all types of horses from the Donkeys and wild Shetland ponies of Marakesh to the more typical Sport horses of New Zealand. His areas of particular […]

Lisa Pedersen – Practice Manager
Find me at: Helensville & Kumeu & Silverdale & Waimauku & Veterinary Rehab Centre & Grooming & Cattery
Lisa joined the Team in 2013 & works between our Clinics as Practice Manager. She brings many years experience in marketing, business administration & sales. She worked overseas for many years in America running a large Equestrian Centre along with a stint as a photographer on Cruise Ships in South Africa. She doesn’t go far […]
The Vets

Dr Angie Stringer – BVet Med
Find me at: Silverdale
Angie joined the small animal vet team in 2014 and has spent the last couple of years at home with her two young children. She is excited to re-joining the team and will mainly be based at our Silverdale clinic. Angie lives on a lifestyle block just out of Helensville with her horse, pet sheep, […]

Dr Catherine Phillips – BVSc
Find me at: Helensville
Cathy is a dairy farmer’s daughter who arrived up in Helensville in the early 80’s & made her home here. She was initially a ‘cow girl’ serving a predominantly dairy practice in the early Helensville days. She has now moved into the small animal practice & has now become a ‘cat girl’. She lives on […]

Dr Elke Haag – Dr Med Vet
Find me at: Kumeu
Elke joined Kumeu Veterinary Services in 1996 and since the merger currently works in the companion animal side of the practice at Vets North Kumeu & Waimauku. She studied veterinary medicine at the Tieraerztliche Hochschule in Hannover, Germany. She moved to New Zealand in 1993 to complete her post graduate research project. Elke lives on a lifestyle block […]

Dr Ella Kiely – BVSc
Find me at: Kumeu
Ella graduated from Massey University in November 2020 and spent the first 2.5 years practicing as a small animal veterinarian in the Bay of Islands. Originally from Kumeu, she made the move back home and joined the Vets North team in August 2023. In her spare time, Ella enjoys travelling, trying new food, exploring New […]

Dr Elsa Flint – BVSc
Find me at: Helensville & Waimauku
Elsa joined the Vets North team in a part time capacity as a Small Animal Vet. She is one of the most qualified animal behaviour experts in New Zealand. She runs Animals with Attitude behaviour clinic which takes referral animal behaviour cases from Auckland and beyond. Elsa has a MSc(Hons) in Behavioural Zoology, Bachelor of Veterinary […]

Dr Elissa Mopper – DVM
Find me at: Kumeu & Waimauku
Elissa joined the Vets North Team in 2015 as a Mixed Animal Veterinarian, servicing our lifestyle clients in addition to working with companion animals. Briefly leaving Vets North to pursue her interest in companion animals, Elissa retuned in 2018 as a full-time small animal clinician, now based in Waimauku. Elissa’s special interests include ultrasonography, currently she […]

Dr. Geert Donkers – BVet Med
Find me at: Helensville & Kumeu & Waimauku
Geert has joined Vets North for 12 months in October 2017 to work at the Waimauku clinic. He graduated from Utrecht University in 1988 and moved to the Outer Hebrides in Scotland where he has worked in a mixed vet practice for the last 29 years. He is married to Laura and has 3 grown […]

Dr. Gemma Morgan – BVSc (DIST)
Find me at: Kumeu & Waimauku
Gemma joined the Vets North team as a small animal veterinarian in February 2022 after graduating from Massey University in November 2021. Originally from Auckland, Gemma now lives in Hatfield’s Beach with her partner and her dog Moose. In her spare time Gemma enjoys hiking, reading, and travel.

Dr. James L’Aime – BVSc
Find me at: Helensville & Kumeu & Silverdale & Waimauku
James joined the Vets North team in 2016 as a Large Animal Vet based out of Vets North Helensville.

Dr Jess Slattery – BVSc
Find me at: Helensville & Kumeu
Jess joined the farm animal and equine veterinary team as a new graduate in 2019. She pursued a veterinary degree at Massey University after training as a veterinary technologist in 2015 and gaining clinical experience in both companion animal and rural veterinary practices. Jess grew up in Auckland and now lives in Helensville with her […]

Dr Jessica Howes – BVSc
Find me at: Helensville
Jessica has been a part of the Vets North team as a companion animal veterinarian since 2017. She lives in rural Helensville with her partner and three dogs.

Katherine Long – Physio
Find me at: Veterinary Rehab Centre
Our experienced and qualified physiotherapist Kath, has completed a Diploma in Equine Acupuncture & Level One Animal Physiotherapy through the Australian Physiotherapy Association. She has also completed her Post Graduate Degree in Animal Physiotherapy through Liverpool University and has just completed her Masters in July 2019. You can find her at Vets North Huapai on […]

Dr Keren Fraser – BVSc & BSc
Find me at: Kumeu & Silverdale & Waimauku
Keren graduated in 2006 from Massey University and spent the following four years in the Bay of Islands in mixed practice mainly dealing with dairy cows. She then spent two years traveling around the UK focusing on small animals and returned to her native West Auckland to cover a maternity leave role & has stayed with us.

Dr. Leanne Whittaker – BVetMed
Find me at: Helensville & Kumeu
Leanne graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 2017. She started as a mixed veterinarian and soon developed a love of small animal surgery, within an emergency setting. Leanne did 2 years of emergency medicine before joining the Vets North team as a small animal vet. You may see Leanne at Show Jumping and […]

Dr Mark Anderson – BVSc
Find me at: Helensville & Kumeu & Silverdale & Waimauku
Mark was born in the UK but moved to Helensville in 1975, aged 16. He went to Kaipara Collage for a year and then working on a local dairy farm for a year before going to Massey University to study Veterinary Science. After staying on for an extra year he graduated with both a Batchelor […]

Dr Nadia Laing – BVSc
Find me at: Helensville & Kumeu & Silverdale & Waimauku
Nadia graduated from Massey University in 1996 and has worked at a number of companion animal clinics in the Auckland area before joining the Vets North team in August 2019. Nadia enjoys all aspects of small animal practice and has a particular interest in feline medicine and surgery. She also loves greyhound cuddles whenever the […]


Dr. Sam Bate – BVSc
Find me at: Kumeu & Silverdale & Waimauku
Sam graduated from Massey University in 2017 and joined the small animal team at Vets North in 2021. Sam enjoys all aspects of small animal practice, but has a particular interest in dermatology. In her spare time Sam enjoys painting, baking and spending time with her partner Nathan and her cat “Goose”.
Support Staff

Amber Mildon – Administration
Find me at: Kumeu & Waimauku
Amber joined the team in April 2022. After leaving school she moved overseas where she worked for 3 years as a groom traveling all over Europe for a top international showjumping rider. Since returning to NZ she has worked in Administration/Inventory roles. She has a few of her own pets including 2 horses June & […]

Angela Martin-Davidson – Customer Service
Find me at: Kumeu
Angela joined the vets north team in April 2022 as customer service. Angela has grown up on a farm and enjoys a wide range of activities.

Arlene Pengally – Customer Service
Find me at: Helensville
Arlene is one of our Customer Service superstars for our Helensville Clinic. Her journey began in 1993, when she qualified as a veterinary nurse and worked in a West Auckland Clinic for over 5 years. In 2001, moved to the South Island and spent 7 years, on a 1300 acre property, in the remote Marlborough […]

Ali Roy – Vet Nurse
Find me at: Kumeu & Silverdale
Aleesha joined the team in April 2021 while completing her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, she now works between our Silverdale and Kumeu clinics. Aleesha has a Bengal cat called Atlas and two miniature ponies named Ellie and Jazzy. In her spare time Aleesha enjoys competing her thoroughbred horse Pasta.

Bianca Gola – Vet Nurse
Find me at: Kumeu & Waimauku
Bianca graduated last year from Unitec, gaining a Diploma in veterinary Nursing. Bianca has lived in Auckland her whole life, her family have always had a cat ever since she can remember. This year Bianca adopted her first dog, Riley. Since then she has spent most of her time getting out for walks or to […]

Briar Smith – Vet Nurse
Find me at: Kumeu
Always wanting to work with animals, Briar made the shift from the banking world to the veterinary world early 2020’s. Briar has previously worked in both an exotic and emergency clinic and has since joined the Vets North team as a Veterinary Nurse with us in May 2023. Briar’s love of animals has always been […]

Emily Sergent – Vet Tech & Vet Nurse
Find me at: Helensville & Kumeu & Waimauku
Emily graduated in 2015 with a veterinary nursing and rural animal qualification. After school she lived in England for one year as a assistant teacher, while over there she found she would love to work with animals for a job. Her passion has always been horse riding and she has owned two horses in the […]

Ginger Oliver – Vet Nurse & Vet Tech
Find me at: Kumeu
Ginger started at Vets North in July 2022. She is originally from Southern California, but obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Kansas State University. Ginger has been around animals her whole life. She grew up riding horses, competing in the Hunter-Jumper discipline, but did sorting and roping for fun. Ginger has had cats, dogs, […]

Jacob Burrell – Vet Nurse
Find me at: Kumeu
I completed the CVN last year and am finishing my DVN this coming year. I have an interest in all weird and wonderful pets and keep lovebirds, axolotls, a fire-bellied newt, as well as regular cats and dogs.

Jasmine Ward – Customer Service
Find me at: Helensville & Waimauku
Jasmine joined Vets North in August 2022 as part of the Customer Service Team. Jasmine has grown up around many different animals and is passionate about horse riding and free flying her parrots. She has an impressive array of parrots from African Greys and Galah’s to Mustache Parakeets and Conures. In her spare time Jasmine […]

Jayne Wilson – Vet Nurse
Find me at: Kumeu
Jayne’s vet nursing career spans over a decade. Over this time Jayne has cared for all kinds of animals from cats and dogs to working as an equine and large animal technician. Jayne lives with her partner and their spicy cat Loki. Outside of work you’ll usually catch Jayne on her horse but she also […]

Jenna Watermeyer – Vet Nurse
Find me at: Kumeu
Jenna graduated with a Veterinary Nursing Diploma from Vet Nurse Plus. Over the past four years in clinic Jenna has discovered her passion for canine behaviour, an area she hopes to study further in. Jenna is also a certified Puppy Preschool trainer. At home Jenna has two dobermans that she loves adventuring with as well […]

Jess Deacon – Trainee Vet Nurse
Find me at: Kumeu
Jess has joined Vets North as a certificated vet nurse going on to complete her diploma in 2023. She started with us in June 2022 after studying at UCOL in Palmerston North. Alongside Vet Nursing, Jess also completed her professional dog grooming certificate which is something she plans to expand on in the near future […]

Krystyna Pye – Vet Nurse
Find me at: Kumeu & Waimauku
Since completing her vet nurse training in 2011 she has developed a keen interest in critical care nursing, canine psychology and all aspects of surgical nursing. Krystyna lives with her two dogs Holly and Max, four cats and whatever foster animals she may have at the time.

Laura Deane – Vet Nurse
Find me at: Helensville & Silverdale & Waimauku
Laura joined Vets North in August 2017 and works part time in our Helensville branch. She qualified in the UK, before moving to New Zealand to enjoy many outdoor adventure sports. She now lives in South Head on her lifestyle property with horses, sheep and chickens with her partner and their 2 children. She occasionally […]

Lia McKenzie – Customer Service
Find me at: Helensville
Lia joined the Helensville Vets North Team in June 2022. Having studied Canine Behaviour and Training, Lia went on to run her own Dog Walking Business, doing group walks and basic training. In 2020 Lia joined the SPCA canine team as their Volunteer Liaison, and spent a year working with abused and neglected dogs, and […]

Melanie Trickett – Vet Nurse
Find me at: Helensville
Melanie qualified as a vet nurse in the UK in 2000. She has worked in a wide variety of practices in the UK – doing small & large animal, equine avian and exotic pets. Melanie has spent the last 10 years working at the Auckland Zoo before starting at Vets North in 2017 to be […]

Melissa Rochefort – Rennie – Team Leader
Find me at: Waimauku
Melissa has been with the Vets North Team since 2012. Originally employed as a veterinary nurse she turned her focus to customer service and is now the Waimauku Team Leader. Mel is our puppy preschool co-ordinator and has a strong interest in canine behaviour and enrichment. In her spare time you can find her on […]

Mia Anderson – Cattery Assistant
Find me at: Cattery
Mia joined the team in 2023 after standing out to the Waimauku Team while completing a student placement. Currently a student at Kingsway College Mia is working towards entry to University to become a Veterinarian. In her spare time she enjoys hanging out with her bunnies Frost and Chia or curling up with a good […]

Narissa Cato – Vet Nurse
Find me at: Helensville
Narissa moved into the Helensville area from the Waikato and has worked at the Helensville clinic since 2007. She started her Veterinary Nurse Certificate while working at the clinic and qualified in 2009. Narissa feels very privileged to work with animals and have them as part of our lives. She has many fur babies who have stolen her heart over the years and is lucky […]

Natalya Norton – Trainee Vet Nurse
Find me at: Helensville & Kumeu & Waimauku & Cattery
Natalya joined the Vets North Kumeu team in September 2019 as a Kennel hand. Natalya is excited to have this opportunity to gain new skills which will support her future goal of becoming a qualified Vet Nurse. Natalya has always enjoyed being around animals and shows genuine care for their wellbeing. Currently a Kumeu local, […]

Petra Gordon – Vet Nurse
Find me at: Kumeu
Petra graduated from Unitec in 2021 with a diploma in Veterinary Nursing. She joined the Vets North team in 2017. Petra grew up around many different species of animals and was a keen equestrian for over 10 years. Petra strives in providing excellent patient care and nursing each patient as if it was her own.Petra […]

Rachel Hindley – Vet Nurse
Find me at: Silverdale
Rachel joined Vets North in 2021, after graduating with her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. She now works predominantly out of Vets North Silverdale. Rachel grew up on the Hibiscus Coast before settling on a lifestyle block in Wainui to raise her three children. Rachels pets include sheep, kune kune pigs, runner ducks and a cat […]

Rachelle Croft – Vet Nurse
Find me at: Silverdale
Rachelle grew up in Auckland and has spent many of her years travelling overseas! Making the decision to study Veterinary Nursing as an adult, Rachelle has now been in the industry for 15 years. For the last 20 years Rachelle has lived in Tahekeroa with a menagerie of animals including horses, donkey’s, goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits, […]

Roxy van Dam – Vet Nurse
Find me at: Waimauku
Roxy joined the Vets North team in December 2022 after completing part of her first and second year Vet Nurse student placements with us. Roxy has a keen interest in animals and the environment and is looking to further her education within these industries while continuing to be a veterinary nurse. In her spare time […]

Sarah England – Vet Nurse
Find me at: Helensville & Silverdale & Waimauku
Sarah joined our Customer Services team back in 2015 and then decided that she would like a change in her career path. She has since gained her Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing through Unitec in 2020 and now works across all our clinics as a veterinary nurse. Sarah has also had the opportunity to nurse in […]

Samantha Pribicevich – Vet Nurse
Find me at: Kumeu
Samantha qualified with a Diploma in veterinary nursing in 2015. Since then she has since worked for two other clinics in the west Auckland area before joining the Vets North team. Sam’s interests are patient care, surgery and radiology. Sams always been an animal lover growing up in Massey with a few dogs and cats […]


Sami Baker – Customer Service
Find me at: Helensville
Sami joined the Vets North Team in June 2019 and will be based at our Helensville Clinic. She will be the friendly customer service face, meeting & greeting all our clients. Being involved with animals in a veterinary environment has been Sami’s career goal & we are excited to have her join the Team! With […]

Steff Bartulovich – Customer Service
Find me at: Kumeu
Stefanie is one of our Customer Service Superstars in Kumeu and has been with us since 2015. Stefanie has grown up with animals all her life, from rescuing & bringing up baby ducklings found in drains, to stray cats & dogs, to even having a wild boar living inside with her. Steff has also had […]

Stevie Rhodes – Customer Service
Find me at: Kumeu
Stevie has been surrounded by all kinds of animals most of her life. Her current entourage consists of Keira, A staffy x, Pumpkin, a Chihuahua & Armani, a Rottweiler. She has competed in equestrian sports for over a decade. In her spare time you’re likely to find Stevie, her daughter and the rest of the […]

Solana Vaughan – Cattery Assistant
Find me at: Cattery
I joined the Vets North team in June 2019. I am currently in Yr 12 at Kaipara College, I am passionate about Wildlife Photography, Surfing, and my horses. I live in Muriwai and love taking my horses for gallops down the beach as well as competing in eventing and show jumping.

Trina Mullan – Stock & Vet Nurse
Find me at: Kumeu
Trina moved to Auckland from Taranaki in 2015 to study Vet Nursing, during this year she began working for Vets North. Trina comes from a large dairy farming family and enjoys getting hands on within the clinic and at home. Trina lives in West Harbour and brings her well known rescue dog Peaches with her […]

Vanessa Pocock – Accounts Administration
Find me at: Waimauku
Vanessa joined Vets North in 2022 in an Accounts Administrator role. Previously completing a diploma in Hospitality Management, Vanessa found working in accounts and admin based roles the most enjoyable. Vanessa has lived in Huapai since 2012 with her partner, primary school aged son and two Labradors. Outside of work she enjoys spending time in […]

Verity Collins- Team Leader Silverdale
Find me at: Silverdale
Verity is originally from the UK, and emigrated with her family to NZ as a teenager. She joined the Vets North team in July 2018. Graduating as a veterinary nurse in 2009 she gained a few years’ experience at a small animal practice before her and her partner Dave did the big OE over to […]