Vets North - Our Team

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. Lisa lives in Wainui […]

Anna Gavin – People and Culture

Find me at:  Helensville & Kumeu & Silverdale & Waimauku

Anna works across all clinics as our People and Culture Business Partner. She has worked in HR across many industries but can no longer imagine a work place without lots of animals! She lives on a lifestyle block with her family and menagerie of livestock and pets.

The Vets


Dr Angie Stringer – BVet Med

Find me at:  Silverdale

Angie joined the small animal vet team in 2014 and is based at our Silverdale clinic. Angie lives on a lifestyle block just out of Helensville with her family and their horse, pet sheep, cows and cats.

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’ and our resident […]

Dr Elke Haag – Dr Med Vet

Find me at:  Kumeu

Elke joined Kumeu Veterinary Services in 1996 and now 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 then 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 and 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. Emily Tillett – BVSc MRCVS

Find me at:  Kumeu

Emily graduated in 2018 from Bristol University. Since then she has worked in UK equine practices in Devon and Hertfordshire before joining Vets North in December 2023. Emily enjoys all aspects of equine work, having a particular interest in ophthalmology and medicine. Outside of work, she can usually be found camping, hiking and partaking in […]

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  and Masters in Animal Physiotherapy through Liverpool University. You can find her at Vets North Huapai on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.

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. Mihi Shepherd – Vet

Find me at:  Kumeu & Waimauku

Mihi works in the Small Animal team in Kumeu and Waimauku

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. Rebecca Johnstone – BVetMed and S

Find me at:  Silverdale

Rebecca graduated from Edinburgh University in 2013 and spent 5 years working as a small animal vet in North Yorkshire before moving to New Zealand in 2018. She joined the Vets North team in March 2022. Rebecca enjoys all aspects of small animal practice but has a particular interest in soft tissue surgery. She lives […]

Dr Rivers Cook – BVetMed

Find me at:  Kumeu

Rivers graduated from Royal Veterinary College, London in 2022 and worked in equine practice ever since, starting her career in Buckinghamshire, UK before moving to New Zealand and joining Vets North in December 2023 where she works in all areas of equine medicine. Rivers is a an equestrian herself and enjoys other sports such as […]

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”.

Dr. Sophie Arogundade – BVetMed

Find me at:  Kumeu

Sophie joined the Vets North Equine Team in Aug 2021. Originally from the UK Sophie completed an Equine Internship at Massey University in Palmerston North joining the VN team. A keen equestrian herself you may spot Sophie out on her own horse in the weekends or walking her handsome dog Hero.

Support Staff


Amber Mildon – Administration

Find me at:  Kumeu

Amber joined the team in April 2022. She works as our Kumeu Customer Service leader and Equine Administrator. She has previously worked as a groom traveling around Europe for a international showjumping rider for 4 years before returning to NZ. She has a few of her own pets including 3 horses as well as her […]

Andrea Borowsky – Customer Service

Find me at:  Helensville & Waimauku

Originally from Germany, Andrea brings with her many years experience in Administration, Customer Service and Animal care. She discovered her passion for horses when she was five and her two horses (Galileo and Tariq) are her addiction. Andrea spends her time with her horses, surfing and reading.  

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 […]

Georgia Burt – Veterinary Nurse

Find me at:  Kumeu

Georgia is a recent graduate who joins us after a career as a Primary school teacher. Raised in Muriwai she is an avid reader, painter and movie watcher and now lives locally with her husband and dogs.

Ginger Oliver – Vet Nurse & Vet Tech

Find me at:  Kumeu

Ginger started at Vets North in July 2022. She is originally from California, but obtained her B.S. in Biology and Equine Science Certification from Kansas State University. Ginger has been around animals her whole life. She grew up with cats, dogs, horses and a variety of reptiles. She worked in the veterinary field throughout her […]

Harry Stuart – Vet Nurse

Find me at:  Helensville & Kumeu & Waimauku

Harry began his nursing career as a student then a Vet Nurse Assist at an Animal Emergency Hospital. Originally planning on becoming a zoo nurse, he discovered a love for small animals and is now developing his career at Vets North. Harry is also a passionate scuba diver, spending as much spare time as possible […]

Jacob Burrell – Vet Nurse

Find me at:  Waimauku

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

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 – 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 […]

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 […]

Lily Donne – Cattery Assistant

Find me at:  Cattery

Lily is local to Muriwai and lives with her family and animals on a small farm. Amongst them she has cats, horses and chickens. Lily is vegan and loves animals.

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 – Vet Nurse

Find me at:  Helensville

Natalya joined the Vets North Kumeu team in September 2019 as a Kennel hand. She then pursued her dream of becoming a qualified Vet Nurse and now works in the Helensville clinic. Natalya has always enjoyed being around animals and shows genuine care for their wellbeing. Natalya shares her home with her family, dogs, cats, […]

Petra Gordon – Vet Nurse

Find me at:  Kumeu

Petra graduated from Unitec in 2017 with a diploma in Veterinary Nursing. She joined the Vets North team in 2021. 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 Waimauku team in December 2022. She has a keen interest in the environment and animal welfare and is studying an Animal and Environmental Science degree while working as a vet nurse and overseeing the cattery. In her spare time Roxy enjoys spending time with her dogs, Ivy and Welly and […]

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 – Team Leader Helensville

Find me at:  Helensville

Sami joined the Helensville Customer Service Team in June 2019 and is now their Team Leader. Sami always wanted to work with animals so when the opportunity arose she left her career in another industry to pursue her dream. Sami enjoys spending time with her family including rescue kitten Nacho and American Bulldog Mukka.

Sandra Gensch – Veterinary Nurse

Find me at:  Waimauku

Graduating in 2017, Sandra is one of our Senior nurses. When not at work Sandra enjoys camping, travelling and exploring the outdoors with her partner, Jack her horse and Cedar her Hungarian Vizla.

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 […]

Sarah Nicholson – Nursing Student

Find me at:  Kumeu & Silverdale

Sarah is currently working with us while completing her Vet nurse studies at Unitech. Once her diploma is complete she will continue to study with the aim of completing her Bachelor of Vet Nursing. When she isn’t studying, Sarah enjoys spending time walking and training Awhina her Jack Russell X.

Sienna Lett – Cattery Assistant

Find me at:  Cattery

I am a friendly enthusiastic year 12 student. I love all animals, and really enjoy working with both animals and people. My most favorite place is Muriwai beach, where I regularly spend my free time, walking my dog Jada, and enjoying the water! My hobbies include surfing, hiking, volleyball, camping and gardening.

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 […]