Meet the kaikōura Health Team
Experienced Professionals, Dedicated to Your Care.
We’re proud of our diverse and skilled team of health professionals who work together to provide quality, compassionate care to our community. From our doctors and nurses to our wider support and administrative staff, every member of our team plays a vital role in supporting your health and wellbeing.
Using a team-based approach, we focus on continuity of care, cultural safety, and equitable outcomes. Whether you’re here for a routine check-up or something more complex, you’ll be supported by a caring, collaborative team committed to your health.
our Doctors
Dr Chris Henry
General Practitioner/Clinical Director/
Rural Hospital Medicine Fellow
Dr Chris Henry
General Practitioner/Clinical Director
I am an experienced rural GP and rural hospital specialist who is passionate about getting the best possible integrated care for rural communities.
Moving from the UK in 1992, I practised in Lyttelton before my wife Esther, and I decided to take our five young children to work in the very remote Tokelau Islands.
On our return to New Zealand, I spent four years training in Emergency Medicine in Christchurch, and then moved to Kaikōura where I joined the local practice in 2005.
I am passionate about rural medicine and rural communities.
Dr Andrea Judd
General Practitioner/Clinical Director/
Rural Hospital Medicine Fellow
Dr Andrea Judd
General Practitioner/Clinical Director
I graduated from Otago University and worked in Blenheim and Melbourne, where I earned my Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. I married into one of the original settler families and raised my three children here, so I am almost considered a local!
I have fellowships in General Practice and Rural Hospital Medicine, which have given me the skills to handle the challenges of being a rural doctor. I care deeply about providing healthcare close to home and have worked with the Canterbury Clinical Network to promote health equity in rural communities.
My specialties are Older Persons’ Health, Women’s Health, and Minor Surgery. I am skilled in procedures like Mirena insertion, pipelle sampling, and skin lesion removal.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors.
Dr Pippa Harrison
General Practitioner
Dr Pippa Harrison
General Practitioner
I grew up in Auckland and studied Medicine at Auckland University. Since the 1990s I have worked as a GP in Mapua, Seddon, Blenheim and Nelson. In March 2019 my husband and I moved to Kaikōura, we have 3 adult sons.
I enjoy all aspects of General Practice and am a vocationally trained GP.
Outside work I try to keep fit with running and a bit of biking and I love to go tramping in the backcountry exploring our amazing outdoors. I hope to continue learning Te Reo Maori aiming to improve fluency.
Dr Bronwyn Lamond
General Practitioner
Dr Bronwyn Lamond
General Practitioner
Dr Alex Corbett
General Practitioner
Dr Alex Corbett
General Practitioner
I am a US-trained MD family physician. I graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia, USA in 2009 and completed my residency at Highland Family Medicine at the University of Rochester, NY in July 2012. I am a licensed physician in the state of New York and a member of the American Board of Family Medicine. My young family and I moved to New Zealand in 2018 to work and live in Kaikōura. I was drawn to the unique and collaborative practice environment of Kaikōura Healthcare, as well as the tremendous natural beauty and family-friendly lifestyle of Kaikōura itself. My family and I enjoy reading, spending time outdoors, as well as woodworking and textile crafts.
Dr Trudie James
General Practitioner
Dr Trudie James
General Practitioner
After completing my medical degree in Wales, I came to New Zealand in 1987 initially training in anaesthetics and intensive care but then found my passion working as a rural general practitioner gaining my fellowship in 2004.
My areas of interest include emergency medicine, child health and women’s health but I really enjoy the unpredictable nature of rural medicine where anything can happen!
My outside interests include skiing, tramping and walking, swimming and anything that helps to keep me healthy.
Dr Wivien Langendijk
General Practitioner
Dr Wivien Langendijk
General Practitioner
I am a general practitioner trained in The Netherlands. The variation that working as a GP offers is what I enjoy the most: from small procedures and reassurance, to guiding patients with a chronic disease or patients in their last phase in life.
In May 2024 my partner and I moved to Kaikōura to start our New Zealand adventure. To work and explore the country and its people. It is my first time working and living in a small rural community and I am excited to find out what that is like.
Dr Alexander Louisse
General Practitioner
Dr Alexander Louisse
General Practitioner
Dr Steva Rumsey
General Practitioner
Dr Steva Rumsey
General Practitioner
Primary Care Nurses (includes District Nurses)
Margaret Carvill
Practice Nurse
Margaret Carvill
Practice Nurse
I am a Registered Nurse and Midwife originally from Belfast in Northern Ireland. I have lived and worked in New Zealand for over 30 years, making the move to Kaikōura from New Plymouth 2 years ago. My career has been varied, including working in midwifery, pediatrics, nursing education and special education. I have recently returned to general nursing and am loving the variety of work, and amazing team I work with here.
Kaikōura must be one of the most beautiful places on the planet. I still catch my breath every evening when I walk out of work and see those mountains.
Amy Heger
Practice Nurse/District Nurse
Amy Heger
Practice Nurse/District Nurse
Kia Ora Koutou, Ko Amy toku Ingoa
I have been nursing for many years in a variety of roles in Aotearoa and overseas. My passion in primary care and youth health. My whanau made the decision to move here at the beginning of 2020 and now proudly call Kaikōura home. We love all that is on offer in this special and unique location.
Rosemary Joyce
Practice Nurse/District Nurse
Rosemary Joyce
Practice Nurse/District Nurse
Kia ora, I have been a registered nurse for over 20 years with experience in older person’s health, mental health, maternity education, and rural nursing. I am a practice and district nurse for Kaikōura Healthcare, and also work as a casual Emergency Medical Technician for St John. When it comes to health and wellbeing, it is holistic health and helping whanau have positive birth experiences that lights my fire.
I love my vege garden, my family, surfing and random acts of kindness.
Beverley Baker
Enrolled Nurse/District Nurse
Beverley Baker
Enrolled Nurse/District Nurse
After studying nursing at Ara in Christchurch in 2013, I moved to Kaikoura in 2015, working at Kaikoura Hospital … just in time for the earthquake!
I now split my time between the hospital and the medical centre. What I find most fulfilling is meeting new people and helping them in their healthcare journey and hopefully assisting them with a positive outcome.
Lucy Ayers
Practice Nurse/District Nurse
Lucy Ayers
Practice Nurse/District Nurse
I am from Christchurch and studied to be a Registered Nurse straight after high school, graduating in 2023. I worked at Burwood Hospital on Stroke Rehab, then I moved to Kaikoura in March 2025 to be a practice nurse. I did a student placement here in 2022, and knew I wanted to move here to join this awesome and supportive team.
I’m excited to learn all there is to learn at the practice, and connect and grow with this community. I am particularly passionate about Older Persons Health and hope to develop more knowledge and skills in this area in the future.
Outside of work I like walking, reading, and enjoying the outdoors as there’s so much beauty in this special part of NZ!
Melissa Platt
Practice Nurse
Melissa Platt
Practice Nurse
Natalie
Casual Practice Nurse
Tracy
Casual Practice Nurse
Michelle
Casual Practice Nurse
Julie
Casual Practice Nurse
Primary Care Assistants
Nerissa
Michaela
Wellbeing team
Rosie McDonald
Health Coach
Rosie McDonald
Health Coach
Moana Manawatu
Mana Ake Kaimahi
Moana Manawatu
Mana Ake Kaimahi
Kia Ora
Mana Ake provides support to children, in years 1-8 at school, promoting wellbeing and positive mental health. We can support children at school and at home and provide advice, guidance and workshops for parents, whanau and teachers.
Kaikōura is my home, I was born and raised here, now my whanau are growing up in this special place. In my spare time I enjoy being active and out and about with whanau.
Meriana Manawatu-Harris
Maori Health / Mental Health Community Support Worker
Meriana Manawatu-Harris
Maori Health / Mental Health Community Support Worker
Kia Ora,
I work within the community to help Whanau and individuals with an array of different needs.
I wear many hats and no two days are the same.
I was raised in Kaikōura surrounded by Whanau and continue to raise my children here in this beautiful paradise we call home.
I love working with Tangata Whaiora in our community to help Whanau overcome daily trials and tribulations without fear of judgement.
Ngā Mihi
Meriana
Liz Adams
Social Worker
Liz Adams
Social Worker
I am a qualified and registered social worker with approximately 20 years-experience. Primarily my experience has included working with children, families, schools and communities. In recent years I have also gained experience in mental health, counselling and older people’s issues.
In my counselling work I employ somatic and mindful principles to support people to work through trauma and emotions. I also use many other methods as appropriate.
I moved to Kaikōura in 2020 and enjoy working and living in the community.
Steve Howie
Mental Health Nurse
Steve Howie
Mental Health Nurse
I have worked as a Mental Health Nurse for 40 years and worked in a variety of roles in Christchurch prior to joining the Kaikōura Mental Health and Well-Being Team in November 2018. My last role was working alongside Police staff in the Custody Unit at the Police station which was very different from my current role.
I am really enjoying the stunning landscape and multitude of outdoor physical activities that Kaikōura offers. My wife, Susie and I have moved from Rangiora to Kaikōura , along with our youngest daughter and granddaughter. We regularly return to Christchurch to connect with our other daughters, grandchildren and wider family and friends.
I enjoy the challenges of my role of enhancing the mental health and well-being of the people in Kaikōura and feel a strong connection to this beautiful place.
Belinda Rickerby
Older Persons Community Support Worker
Belinda Rickerby
Older Persons Community Support Worker
Hi, I’m Belinda (known as Blou). My role at the medical centre is to support people in our community to live well as they age, I have the best job ever!
Connection is a key ingredient of aging well and I have the pleasure of organising many groups, quiz afternoons, afternoon teas/lunches and dinners for people who want contact with friends in a safe environment.
Sometimes navigating things like health appointments (in and out of town), transport to and from appointments and supermarket shopping can seem like very big things, so let me connect you with the right people to remove the barriers.
You can contact me on 0275 620 811.
Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP)
Situation Vacant
Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP)
Situation Vacant
Administration/Reception
Angela Blunt
Health Services Manager/Complaints Officer
Angela Blunt
Health Services Manager/Complaints Officer
I grew up in the Hutt Valley before heading to the Mainland to attend the University of Otago where I studied Law. After graduating I practised law in Masterton, London and then Christchurch before my husband, Tony, and I bought the family farm just off the Inland Road in Kaikōura in 1998. We have four children. I am proud to call Kaikōura home. I have worked in a variety of roles in health since 2013 and began in this role in mid-2017. I have responsibility for the General practice, the facility and Administration, Cleaning, Kitchen and Maintenance teams in Inpatient Services.
Suzanne Cuff
Finance Administrator
Suzanne Cuff
Finance Administrator
Suzanne deals with all matters related to accounts and finances, contact her if you need to discuss your invoice at any time.
Michelle Ormsby
Senior Administrator
Catherine
Admin/Reception
Jane
Reception
Lyn
Reception
Rebecca
Reception
Deanne
Reception
Deb
Casual Reception
Frances
Casual Reception
Danielle
Casual Reception