Charlie graduated in 2003 and went to work in the back blocks of Taihape where he quickly learnt to wrestle cows, deer and sheep as well as looking after sick and injured farm dogs. Followed by a stint in Gisborne, Charlie embarked on his OE to Britain for three years. In the UK, Charlie changed tack and concentrated on small animal medicine and surgery.

On returning to New Zealand in 2011, Charlie started work at Vets on Riverbank. His interest firmly in the companion animal sphere, Charlie has completed significant further study in this area and is now one of the clinics full time small animal vets.

Charlie is married to Koo, also a veterinarian and they live with their two children, two cats and a Labrador.

Charlie enjoys the great outdoors in the form of running, cycling and kayaking.

Ray trained in Ireland and worked for a time in mixed practices in the United Kingdom before coming to New Zealand in 1999. A well timed telephone call to Graham meant Ray first worked on Lord of the Rings and then full time in the practice from 2001.

Ray has developed outstanding skills in the equine area, especially in dentistry and lameness. In 2012 Ray became one of only five New Zealand veterinarians to sit and pass his membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Equine Dentistry. He now sees referral dental and sinus cases as well as routine work.

Married to Jane, with their two children, Ray rarely finds time to get away from veterinary practice to follow his passion for golf.

Erin has been part of Equine and Farm Veterinary Services since 2005. She is very enthusiastic about all aspects of veterinary practice, with a special interest in the Equine, Dairy and Lifestyle areas, particularly reproduction.

Erin, with her partner Bryan, take a full part in the local community including the Te Horo Fire Brigade and Horowhenua Search and Rescue.

With two adult children now living away from home, Erin and Bryan spend their spare time outdoors, enjoying all the district has to offer especially hunting and fishing.

Rachel graduated from Massey University in 2021 and joined the large animal team at Vets on Riverbank in 2022.

Rachel enjoys all aspects of large animal medicine and has a special interest in equine and lifestyle block medicine. She has been involved with all aspects of thoroughbred racehorses, from foaling right through to racing. Throughout university she has spent a lot of her holidays working on thoroughbred studs in the Waikato and with deer, sheep, and beef cattle in the Manawatu and the West Coast of the South Island.

In her spare time, Rachel enjoys travelling and exploring the outdoors. Her hobbies include hiking, hunting, fishing, going to the gym and playing a number of different sports.

Mary graduated from Massey University in 2014. She then worked in mix practice in Waipukurau for three years seeing everything from cats and dogs to chooks and alpacas.

Mary joined the Vets on Riverbank team mid 2018. She loves treating and caring for all birds but particularly chickens.

When she isn’t working she is singing, pottering around the garden servicing a serious rose addiction, or forcing her attentions on her two cats, Zoe and Humphrey who really wish she wouldn’t.

Ed graduated from Liverpool University in 2000. He worked in mixed practice in the UK before moving to New Zealand, and has worked with small animals in the Wellington region ever since.

Ed joined the practice in November 2018.

In his spare time Ed would like to enjoy off shore yachting, extensive international travel and fine dining, but instead enjoys tramping, camping, and tinkering with anything he can get his hands on.

Sarah graduated from Massey University in 2014. After working in a mixed practice in Dannevirke for 3.5 years, she left New Zealand to embark on her OE in the UK.

During her time in the UK, Sarah worked mainly as a small animal locum, as well as travelling throughout Europe, Africa and Asia.

After returning to New Zealand, Sarah joined the Vets on Riverbank team in June 2020 as a companion animal veterinarian.

In her spare time she enjoys renovating her house with her husband Dan, baking, travelling and cuddling her cat Freddie.

Graduating from Massey in 2006, Catherine started her veterinary career in Gisborne as a mixed animal vet. With a few years experience behind her she then headed to the UK for 3 years to work as a small animal locum and travel Europe, South America and South East Asia with her now husband, Charlie.

Upon returning to NZ Catherine has worked as a small animal vet for the past 12 years with a few breaks to raise her young family. Catherine has recently joined our VOR team part time and is excited to meet you and your pets.

Kaz graduated from Massey University in 2023. She joined the VOR team in January 2024 and is enjoying all aspects of veterinary medicine.

Kaz previously spent time as a paramedic in the Royal New Zealand Navy.

She currently lives with her partner, her 4 dogs, 2 cats and 5 chickens. In her spare time, she enjoys competing her dogs in agility competitions, hiking and running.

Hayley graduated from Massey University in 2014 in the same class as Dr Mary and Dr Sarah. She then worked in companion animal practice in rural Australia for two years.

Following this, Hayley moved back to New Zealand and joined the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for eight years. She worked in a veterinary capacity for New Zealand Food Safety, followed by work in managing the biosecurity risk of imported animal products for Biosecurity New Zealand.

She has returned to clinical practice so she can be more directly involved in helping animals and their owners. She has a soft spot for bully breed dogs and spends her spare time running, renovating the house, learning Japanese and occasionally dabbling in video games and anime with her partner.

Vicky moved to Otaki over 30 years years ago to work with horses, mainly thoroughbreds, in both the stud and racing industries. Since then she has, at some time or another, been involved with every aspect of horse management from foaling, weaning to breaking in, racing and breeding.

Vicky enjoys her present roll with the vets, providing assistance in handling a variety of large animals. and the the preparation of mares for artificial insemination and embryo transplant.

This works in well with her stables where she cares for the clinics injured and recuperating horses.

Vicky lives with her husband Paul and menagerie of dogs, cats and horses.

Matt spent 10 years in the horse racing industry after graduating from Victoria University in 2008 with a impractical history degree.

Matt completed his Rural Animal Technician qualification from Otago Polytechnic in 2019, having done his placement with Vets on Riverbank.

In 2020 Matt started working full time with the Vets on Riverbank team where he enjoys assisting Ray with his dental work.

In his spare time Matt loves travelling to remote areas of the country to surf good waves with his partner Janey and their Siberian Husky Braxton.

Kelsey graduated from Massey University in 2009 with her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. Since then, she has worked at various clinics around Wellington, including a stint at the Wellington Zoo veterinary hospital. She joined the team at Vets on Riverbank in 2016.

Kelsey particularly enjoys nursing sick and hospitalised patients and managing the team of fantastic nurses.

Kelsey lives on a lifestyle block with her husband Tyler, their daughter Bonnie, Rocco the Border Terrier, Star the Labrador, Russell the sheep and five cows.

Gemma graduated in 2013 with a Certificate in Veterinary Nursing from Otago Polytechnic, after studying by correspondence for two years.

From an early age Gemma had a keen interest in animals and did voluntary work after school at the clinic. This fortunately lead on to full time employment. As well as general nursing and reception duties, she is also involved in stock control and ordering.

Gemma lives on a dairy farm with her husband Hayden along with three dogs, five cats, a horse and Richard the sheep. She can be found most weekends working on the farm, and tending to her “fur babies”.

Zoe graduated with a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing though Weltec in 2019. During her studies she worked at Vets on Riverbank as a veterinary nurse assistant and was then offered a full time position as a small animal nurse.

Zoe grew up and lives on a sheep and beef farm where her passion and care for animals started at a young age.

Her interests include snowboarding, horse riding and helping out on the farm.

Tamara graduated from Otago Polytechnic with her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing in 2019. Since 2016, she has been working in clinics around the Wellington region – joining the Vets On Riverbank team mid 2020.

Tamara enjoys surgical nursing and critical care cases, and has a keen interest in exotic species, having completed her Certificate in Avian Wildlife Nursing.

Her and her partner live with their pets Leela and Hypno. In her spare time she enjoys playing board games, gardening and going for walks.

Emma graduated from UCOL with her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing in 2020 after a few years of working in the corporate industry and wanting a new challenge. During her studies she did placement at Vets on Riverbank and was offered a full time position as a small animal nurse.

Emma is enjoying the challenges of learning the role and enjoys all the aspects of nursing so far.

Emma lives with her partner James and two cats, Gatsby and Daisy. You will find her playing soccer on the weekends or finding new bush walks to do around the region.

Chelsea graduated with a certificate in Veterinary Nursing through Weltec in 2009. She worked on the Kapiti Coast for 4 years before heading over to the United Kingdom to work and travel. Since returning she has been back working on the Coast and joined the VOR team in 2021.

Chelsea lives with her partner, and Border Terrier Arlo.

In her spare time she enjoys walking Arlo up the river or down the beach, reading and of course travelling!

Jadene joined the team in 2022. Currently, she is studying her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. Jadene has enjoyed integrating into the VOR team and enjoys spending time with hospital patients.

Jadene lives with her partner and pets – a rabbit named Minky, a cat named Luna and two dogs (Shadow and Ghost). She also has a horse named River.

In her spare time, she enjoys horse riding, as well as walking the dogs on the beach.

Emily graduated with her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing from UCOL in 2022. She is currently working towards her certificate in rural animal technology.

Having joined the VOR team in March 2023, she does a mixture of small and large animals. Emily enjoys all aspects of Veterinary Nursing, particularly radiography.

Emily lives on a farm and enjoys competing her horses in eventing and show jumping, as well as tramping and taking her dogs for walks at the beach.

Jo Completed her diploma in Veterinary Nursing in 2019. Since then, she has been working in the Wellington region, joining the VOR team in early 2023. Jo is currently in her second year of working toward her Bachelor in Veterinary Science.

Jo lives with her husband and two cats, George and O’Malley. In her spare time, Jo enjoys playing ice hockey and taking a dip in the ocean.

Olivia-Rose graduated with a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing from UCOL in 2022.

Olivia-Rose enjoys all aspects of nursing, but in particular she loves being involved in surgical nursing.

Olivia-Rose was born in the Manawatu where she has lived all her life. In her spare time, she enjoys socialising with family and friends, travelling and helping her partner with building projects.

Nicole graduated from UCOL with her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing in 2021.

She joined the team in early 2024 with a keen interest in surgical nursing, as well as birds and wildlife.

At home, Nicole has two Australian shepherds, Nitro and Ink, and a cat named Blueberry. She enjoys training all her animals – the dogs for agility and obedience competitions, and Blueberry who has recently starring in some commercials.

Marianne graduated in 2020 from Massey University with a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology.

She worked in Auckland for two and a half years, focusing on equine nursing at a specialist hospital before joining the VOR team in early 2024.

Marianne lives with partner and Cat (Gremmy). She also has two horses (Divine and Zeta).

Laura joined the team in mid 2023 and does an excellent job at looking after all of our lovely hospitalised patients during weekdays.

Laura lives with her husband, two children and two cats. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, running and gardening.

Nicki joined the VOR team in May 2024. She graduated from NMIT in 2004 with a Certificate in Veterinary Nursing. For the last 15 years she has been working in various clinics throughout the UK, including some large 24-hour hospitals and a small animal referral clinic in central London.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Leigh will complete her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing through Otago Polytechnic in November 2024. She graduated with a Certificate in Veterinary Nursing Assistant in 2022 and has been working in clinics around Wellington since beginning her studies in 2020.

She is experienced in exotics, having worked at a small mammal referral clinic, and continues to spend time in avian and wildlife rehabilitation.

Living with her husband and three young children, Leigh has a busy home-life caring for the family’s many aviary birds, Muscovy ducks, fish and two dogs. Leigh enjoys hiking and the sport of Cani-cross running with her whippet and Saluki.

Cindy joined the practice in 1996 with Graham Carthew as a vet nurse, accounts, stock purchaser and everything in between. Vet nursing took a back seat as the practice grew from one vet to eight over the years. Her duties have evolved to managing the clinic’s day to day finances, bill payments and payroll as well as assisting with large animal and equine appointments.

Cindy enjoys the company of her mini Schnauzer, Miss poppy and her Mainecoon, Hugo. She has a past life of training, competing and representing NZ in dressage with Playskool. Having won Horse of the Year titles, National Championships, competing in Australia and in Rome at the 1998 World Equestrian Games.

Cindy loves to spend her spare time coaching dressage for a few friends and gardening her extensive garden.

Jill joined the team in early 2022 and has fit into the team with ease.

She lives with her husband, their two teenage boys and two cats.  Her interests include spending time with family and friends, going for walks, gardening and watching sport.

Sharon joined the Vets on Riverbank team in 2019. Her role is arranging appointments for the farm animals/equine clients, answering phones and dispensing medications.

She is a keen horse rider with experience in breeding, starting and training horses and competes at dressage. Sharon lives on a lifestyle block with horses, cattle, sheep, chickens etc…. and her husband Matthew.

In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her increasing number of grandchildren, organic gardening, yoga and walking to keep fit along with horse riding of course.

Carrie joined the Vets on Riverbank large animal team in 2022.

In her free time Carrie hangs out with her husband Marty and their three teenage girls.

She has a passion for the outdoors be it gardening, tending to the sheep and chickens or running with her 2 dogs. She also organizes a series of locally based Adventure Race events.

Ashlee joined the Vets on Riverbank team in mid 2023.

Ashlee lives with her partner Shae, their four rabbits and four cats.
She comes from a background in animal care, animal welfare and customer service. Ashlee has been an animal lover since a young age and continues to foster rabbits and neonate kittens for local rescue groups.

In her spare time, Ashlee enjoys spending time with friends and family, tending to her aquariums, binge-watching TV shows and spoiling her pets.

Ash joined the VOR team in early 2024 and has recently achieved her Level 3 Certificate in Animal Care.

Ash lives with her partner, 2 daughters, 2 cats and 2 dogs. She has had a passion for animals her whole life, and has always wanted to work in a vet clinic.

In her spare time, Ash likes to be with her family and enjoys heading down to the beach with her dogs.