Team members Archive

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 skiing, swimming and paddle boarding.

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”.

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.

Weichen is a dedicated veterinarian with a unique background that bridges human and animal healthcare. He graduated from Massey at the end of 2024 so has joined our team as a new grad for our busy summer period.

Prior to vet study Wei was a registered human nurse in Taiwan where he gained valuable experience in patient care, medical procedures and working in high-pressure environments. Wei is excited about bringing his diverse skills and experience to the veterinary field, making a meaningful difference to the lives of those animals in his care.

Amber joined the team in April 2022. She works as our Kumeu Customer Service team leader and Equine Administrator. She has previously worked as a groom traveling around Europe for a international show jumping rider for 4 years before returning to NZ. She has a few of her own pets including 3 horses as well as her huntaway Sally. In her spare time you will find her riding her horses at the forest or beach.

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 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 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 Sounds, working for an Eco Tourism company.

In December 2007, she moved back to Helensville and started working for Helensville Vets in Janurary 2008.

Arlene enjoys walking on the beach, bush walks, yoga and baking.

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 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 the beach with Riley.

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 known and if she could, she would bring any animal possible home with her. Briar loves learning and being able to grow her knowledge to help ensure any animals she cares for are always getting the best care possible.

In her spare time, you can find Briar with her nose in a book, spending time with Gerald, her attention-loving cat, volunteering at a de-sexing clinic, or covered in paint from a new art project.

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 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 teenage years and into young adult life.

Along with animals, Ginger has always had a passion for travel. She has lived abroad a number of times including Australia and the Czech Republic and has visited many other countries in Europe. After returning home and finishing her studies, she began small animal nursing in California before moving to New Zealand in 2019.

Ginger’s main role within Vets North is as Equine Vet Tech, although she has a love for all animals, great and small. Outside of normal work duties you’ll find her running Puppy Pre-School classes from our Kumeu clinic and taking in and raising stray kittens. When not at work, Ginger spends her time with her two foster fail kitties, Remus (who likes to sit on her shoulder) and Gypsy, her husband Louie, and riding horses whenever she can.

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 in and under the sea.

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 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 enjoys camping and taking her horses Rua & Dakota to the beach with friends.

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 enjoys 4WD winch comps and target shooting.

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 as a cat and two horses which she enjoys riding in her spare time.

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 still gets to enjoy some outdoor adventure!

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 training volunteers to do the same. In 2021 Lia made the change to Aviation Security, before coming to Join us at Vets North Helensville.