Waipukurau Team
Comprehensive Care for All Animals
Our Waipukurau clinic is home to a dedicated team of experienced production animal and companion animal vets, offering a wide range of services for animals of all species. Whether you have livestock, horses, working dogs or beloved pets, we provide expert care tailored to their needs.
Management TeaM
Kathryn Sigvertsen
Production Animal Team Leader
Kathryn has been with Vet Services Waipukurau since 2013. She initially joined the team as a mixed practice veterinarian, splitting her time between the companion animal clinic and on farm with production animals.
More recently, she has taken a more specialised role, working with our Dairy clients. Having previously worked in Taranaki Kathryn’s strong dairy experience has been a fantastic addition to the practice. While she enjoys all aspects of dairy production, she has a particular soft spots for calves.
Outside of work Kathryn enjoys the challenges that come with owning a lifestyle block and fitting in family life with two young children
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Liss McKenzie
Clinic Manager
With a passion for creating positive, supportive team environments, Liss is dedicated to ensuring the wellbeing of both people and animals. She leads with an open-door policy and a proactive “how can I help?” attitude, always striving to make a meaningful difference.
Liss has a background in HR, combined with a love for structured projects (and a well-balanced budget!), which helps keep things running smoothly.
Outside of work, you’ll find Liss diving into renovation projects, enjoying time at the beach, and making the most of family time on a small lifestyle block—with her two children, a flock of sheep, Olie the ever-energetic Jack Russell, and Theo the cat.
Nicolette Adamson
Companion Animal Team Leader
Nicolette hails from the green dairy pasture of the Waikato but after graduating from Massey University, she made her home in Central Hawkes Bay. Nicolette wears many hats at Vet Services clinic with a particular interest in equine and working dog medicine.
She spent her early years on the farm wrangling with a naughty pony in her attempt to make it into a stock horse. Today she fills her spare time running around the rugby field.
Nicolette loves the challenge that equine medicine provides and enjoys the physicality of working with horses while also utilising the precision often reserved for the small animal clinic.
veterinarians
Annelise Enslin
Companion Animal Veterinarian
Annelise graduated from the University of Pretoria in South Africa and joined the team in 2014, shortly after immigrating to New Zealand.
She is passionate about companion animal health and a key member of our busy Waipukurau Clinic. She brings with her experience with exotic birds and reptiles, many dog breeds and enjoys doing a wide variety of soft tissue surgery and clinical work.
When she is not working Annelise enjoys getting into the outdoors part of life, hiking and fishing, spending time with her partner, family and dogs and catching the Hawke’s Bay sunshine.
Abbigail Robinson
Mixed Practice Veterinarian
camille Flack
Production Animal Veterinarian Group Leader
After completing her Veterinary Degree at Massey University, Camille started work in 2004 in Dannevirke. The rest of the world beckoned and she went off to work overseas, first in Australia and then in the UK. In 2007 she returned to NZ working in the Rangitikei region. Still keen to broaden her horizons and experience, she moved to the South Island to work in Cheviot. Whilst here she enjoyed working with a diverse range of sheep breeds in some amazing parts of the countryside.
In 2014 she headed north and started work at Vet Services Hawkes Bay. Here at Vet Services Camille enjoys working together with farmers to achieve the best out of their animals and farm production systems. Outside of work Camille spends time on her farm and enjoying the outdoors with her partner and son.
Caroline Robertson
Companion Animal Veterinarian Group Leader
Caroline has been with our Waipukurau team since 1985. She is primarily involved in companion animal medicine and surgery but has a specialist interest in production animals due to her involvement with her own farming operations.
Caroline is the immediate past President and Chair for the New Zealand Veterinary Association. And has been a key figure in the Association which is committed to safeguarding the high skills, continuing the development and ethical standards of the New Zealand veterinary profession.
When not travelling to Wellington or working at Vet Services, she’s on the family farm at Omakere in coastal Central Hawke’s Bay.
George Smith
Production Animal Veterinarian
Georgia Simpson-Higgins
Mixed Practice Veterinarian
Georgia joined our ranks in February 2025, originally from a Sheep & Beef property in Nelson. She initially worked in Ashburton for 3.5yrs as a Mixed Animal veterinarian before heading over to Scotland to work (and play) for a year and a half. She loves mixed animal work and being out and about in the sunshine. Outside of work, Georgia loves hiking, mountain biking, playing sports and riding her horse.
Harry Whiteside
Production Animal Veterinarian
Harry has been with Vet Services since 2003 after emigrating from the UK and spending a couple of seasons in Taranaki. The lure of sheep and beef work drew him to Waipukurau where he is now more than happy to immerse himself in all aspects of production animal work.
Outside of work he loves spending time with his family out and about in the greater Hawke’s Bay region and has been heavily involved as a coach to the CHB junior football rep team.
Joyce Anita
Mixed Practice Veterinarian
Joyce joined the Vet Services Team in January 2024, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and experience from abroad. Originally from the Solomon Islands, Joyce completed her Bachelor of Veterinary Science at James Cook University in Australia. Looking to expand her experiences as a mixed practice veterinarian, she then moved to Hawkes Bay to work with our Waipukurau team, where she continues to grow both professionally and personally.
When she’s not caring for animals, Joyce enjoys exploring the beautiful Hawkes Bay countryside, reading and staying connected with her family and friends back home
Mike Fitzgerald
Equine & Production Animal Veterinarian
Mike originally hails from the Canterbury plains. He started with Vet Services in 2011 after graduating from Massey University. Mike worked for three years in Waipukurau, where he established himself as a thorough clinician before taking eighteen months off to do his OE. Along with lots of travelling, Mike was lucky enough to get into some great equine clinics in England, upskilling himself before returning to Hawkes Bay in 2016. He has undertaken a range of further study including lameness, performance, dentistry, wound management and pre-purchase examinations.
In his spare time, Mike is an avid runner, outdoorsman, and traveller. Not one to sit still for too long, you’ll likely catch him alongside his wife Tess, boys and their four-legged daughter Molly.
Nicole Lansdown
Mixed Practice Veterinarian
Nicole joined the Vet Services team in early 2021 and originally hails from a sheep and beef farm in Dannevirke.
After graduating from Massey University in 2018 Nicole spent 2 years in Taumarunui working as a mixed practice vet. During this period she spent her time working with sheep, beef, deer and a variety of small animal clients.
Outside of work Nicole enjoys social sports, tramping and travelling.
Sam Bolton
Mixed Practice Veterinarian
Sam was raised on a sheep and beef farm in Gisborne hill country before being sent off to boarding school in Hawkes Bay.
Initially on the path to becoming a scientist, Sam earned a BSc and MSc before starting a veterinary degree, which was completed in 2024.
Ultimately, Sam became a vet due to a passion for people-focused problem solving and a lifelong love of animals. Sam enjoys the continued learning, challenges, and successes that come with being a vet.
Outside of work, Sam is often attempting to play a sport, proudly participating in social netball, indoor football, and football. Sam is also an amateur hiker and an avid reader.
Tracey Wallace
Companion Animal Veterinarian
Renate Haveman
Companion Animal Veterinarian & Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner
Renate is an experienced small animal veterinarian who is currently sharing her time between Napier & Waipukurau.
Renate has completed her postgraduate training in veterinary acupuncture through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and is a certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (University of Tennessee). She loves being able to help more animals, to improve their quality of life and keep them moving.
Renate lives on a small lifestyle block in Waipawa with her husband, two active young boys and a whole menagerie of pets. If there is any spare time you can find her in the gym, going on adventure with the motorhome or just enjoying a cup of coffee or glass of wine depending on the time of day.
Zoe Romein
Mixed Practice Veterinarian
Pursuing a career in veterinary science was an obvious choice for Zoe. Originally from Christchurch, she completed her studies at Massey University before starting her career with Vet Services in 2021.
She enjoys the challenge and variety that mixed practice brings, and loves surgery no matter what species.
Outside of work Zoe enjoys horse riding, looking after her lifestyle block, and hiking with her dogs Merlin and Freya in tow.
Veterinary Nurse Team
Ally Price
Vet Nurse
Ally graduated with a Diploma of Veterinary Nursing in 2020. She spent her first two years working further north in the King Country before moving with her husband to Hawkes Bay, where they now reside on a farm in Flemington.
Ally’s passion for vet nursing is in orthopaedics and working dogs. Outside of work Ally enjoys being out on the farm with dogs.
Anna Foster
Senior Clinical Nurse
Anna graduated from Vocational School (in Germany) in 2010 and spent the first two years of her career working in a specialist small animal clinic with eight vets and twenty-two nurses.
At the end of 2011 Anna travelled to Australia to gain some overseas experience. She was lucky enough to work on a camel farm in Alice Springs and in an Emergency Centre based in Adelaide.
Anna and her friend Astrid emigrated from Germany together and began working for Vet Services in 2017 (Astrid works for our Napier Clinic). Her passion for animal health and overseas experience has been valuable to our team.
When she is not at work or running our popular puppy preschool classes, Anna enjoys the life she has built in Central Hawke’s Bay with her husband Mike and their dogs, Ferm, Bella and Roo.
Brooke Hinricks
Animal Care Assistant
Brooke joined the Vet Services team in 2023 as an animal care assistant and is on track to graduate at the end of 2024 with a Diploma in Vet Nursing. Brooke moved to the Hawkes Bay in 2022.
Outside of work Brooke enjoys playing a variety of sports, helping on her family on the dairy farm, and going to the gym.
Emma Duff
Vet Nurse
Emma graduated in 2024 with a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. She started working with VSHB as an animal care assistant in 2022 and then moved to a full time nursing position at the start of 2024.
Emma spent her younger years in Tikokino on a farm with her grandparents. Following the farming industry she went shepherding straight out of high school.
Emma likes all areas in small animal medicine but likes the range of caring for the hospital patients and the variety of nurse consults. She also has a passion for working dogs and large animals too.
In her spare time you will find her on the farm with her husband or spending it with their working dog team and three pets; Skye, Mac and Millie. Emma enjoys spending time with family and friends
KAte Hibbs
Vet Nurse
Kate graduated in 2021 at EIT. Whilst finishing her last year of study, she worked at the Hastings branch as an animal care assistant. Since being qualified Kate has been working at the Waipukurau Branch.
Kate has a drive and passion for emergency and critical care patients to help them return back to their normal and full potential.
In her free time she likes to paint, spending quality time with friends and her 11yr old dog Finn.
Michelle Cameron
Clinical Operations and Administration
Michelle graduated from Massey University in 2001 with a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. Upon graduating she worked for a few years in New Zealand gaining experience in small animal practice.
In 2004 Michelle left for her OE and ended up settling in Glasgow, Scotland for 13years. While in Scotland she spent time in various small animal clinics, including Orthopaedic specialist, inner city practices, and emergency after hours. Whilst in Scotland she did some further study and obtained the Emergency Critical Care Veterinary Nursing Certificate. Also gained a husband, house and 2 kids.
When not at work Michelle will often be found in the paddock with the kids doing something fun on her parent’s coloured sheep and alpaca farm.
Naida Marlow
Senior Vet Nurse
Naida graduated with a Certificate in Vet Nursing in 2011 and soon joined the Vet Services Team. Naida has since completed her Diploma and Bachelor in Vet Nursing while working a variety of nursing roles across all Vet Services clinics.
Naida spent two years travelling and working in veterinary clinics across the UK. One of her highlights during the trip was while locuming in a specialist clinic in Somerset, England where she became familiar with CT and MRI technology.
Naida’s enjoys all aspects of small animal medicine but has a special interest in post op recovery and physiotherapy.
Outside of work Naida and her husband are kept busy with their growing family, dogs, cats, and terrapin. They enjoy making the most of the outdoors and are often helping friends on farm, hunting or heading into the ranges.
Paige Nilsson
Vet Nurse Team Leader
Paige started her Veterinary Nursing career with Vet Services Hastings and transferred to Waipukurau in early 2022.
She enjoys all aspects of small animal medicine but it particularly passionate about working dogs and providing the best possible inpatient care to ensure they return to peak physical condition as soon as possible.
Paige helps new puppy owners with training and education in our monthly Puppy Pre-school. She is also fantastic at organising student placements in Waipukurau ensuring that every veterinary nurse and veterinarian student gets the best learning experience.
In her spare time, Paige and husband Bryce enjoy life on the ‘farm’ on their lifestyle property in Waipawa. They like to keep social and are often trying out new hobbies like baking classes or line-dancing with friends and familySeSn.
Sienna Jones
Animal Care Assistant
Sienna joined the Vet Services team in 2022 as an animal care assistant and is on track to graduate at the end of 2025 with a Diploma in Vet Nursing.
Sienna spent her younger years in Hastings and moved to CHB in 2017. She enjoys playing a variety of sports and spending time with her animals; Leila, Eflie and Wilbur.
Sienna has always had a passion for animal’s right from a young age, and she really enjoys the different day to day cases that come through the door.
Tracey Davis
Vet Nurse
Tracey started vet nursing in Auckland straight from high school in 1989 and obtained a Certificate in Vet Nursing in 1995.
Tracey moved to Waipukurau from Auckland with her partner in 2022, and started working for Vet Services. In 2024 she become registered and upgraded her Certificate to a Diploma in Vet Nursing. Tracey’s passion is fear free handling of cats, but she loves helping all companion pets.
Tracey’s home life consists of 4 cats (including 2 mainecoons) and 2 small dogs. Tracey and her partner enjoy sightseeing in their caravan with their dogs as often as possible.
Madi Eastwood
Animal Care Assitant
Rural Veterinary Technicians
Naomi Jenkinson
Large Animal Technician
Naomi has lived in CHB most of her life and joined VSHB in early 2025. Her love for animals has always been a significant part of her life, and she had the opportunity to work alongside a friend at a vet clinic, which deepened her interest in the veterinary field.
Naomi is passionate about helping animals thrive and enjoys working outdoors with a dedicated team. Currently, her focus is on large animals, as she’s drawn to the rural sector and the unique challenges it offers.
Outside of work, Naomi continues to engage with animals, spending time with her ponies and training her heading pup. She also works on the farm with her partner, caring for sheep and cattle. In her downtime, Naomi enjoys experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.
Madi Daines
Large Animal Technician
Madi joined Vet Services to help run our Sheep Conveyor in 2022.
Madi is an experienced farmers and has always been passionate about animal health completing studies in both Veterinary Nursing and Animal Technology. While she loves animals both great and small she is a country girl at heart and prefers being out in the field assisting farmers with their production goals.
When she’s not at work, you’ll find Madi helping on the family farm, heading to the beach, or with her team of working dogs.
Libby Plummer
Equine Technician / Vet Nurse
Libby joined our team in 2018 and has thrived in our large mixed animal practice. She has worked hard towards her Nursing Diploma and graduated in 2019.
Libby has a passion for small animals but has a keen interest in the equine side of her veterinary nursing. In her spare time Libby enjoys traveling the north island competing in different equestrian events, including side-saddle.
When Libby isn’t in the horsey scene, she can be found enjoying the great outdoors with her Swedish Vallhund dog Harold.
Kayla Aitken
Large Animal Technician
Kayla, originally from Nelson, moved to Hawke’s Bay in 2022 and has been working with Vet Services industry since 2023. Her career journey is marked by a diverse range of experiences, beginning with her role as a zookeeper at Wellington Zoo. During her time at the zoo, she cared for a variety of animals, from meerkats with their pups and red pandas to exotic species.
After her time at the zoo, Kayla worked as a Explosive Detection Dog Handler in the Army. Upon moving to Hawke’s Bay, she studied part-time to become a beekeeper while also working in a variety of agricultural roles. She gained hands-on experience in herd testing for dairy cows and worked casually on a sheep and beef farm, where she and her partner currently live.
As a Production Animal Technician, Kayla brings her broad and varied skill set to the role, finding great fulfillment in the physical and dynamic nature of the work. She is passionate about continuously learning and developing new skills in the field.
Outside of work, Kayla enjoys hiking, gardening, training her dog, and helping her partner on the farm.
Yana Chaplow
Animal Care Assitant/Large Animal technician
Yana recently moved back home to Hawke’s Bay after spending two years in South Otago, where she studied and graduated from Telford Southern Institute of Technology with a Rural Animal Technician Certificate. She then chose to further her knowledge and skills in animal care by completing her first year of veterinary nursing at SIT Invercargill.
Yana is currently completing her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing through EIT and is thrilled to have the opportunity to work at VSHB during her studies.
With a strong passion for animal technology and the wellbeing and welfare of animals, Yana enjoys working with both small and large animals. She values being part of an encouraging and knowledgeable veterinary team and loves the variety that each day in the clinic brings.
Outside of work, Yana enjoys spending time with her partner on the farm and keeping fit by going on country runs with their team of working dogs.
Business Support Team
Arron Scoble
Retail Group Manager
Arron is the Vet Services Hawke’s Bay retail group manager where he works closely with production animal clients, vet staff and supplier companies. He re-joined Vet Services in February 2016 after previously working for Vet Services in Hastings in the early 2000’s.
In between this time, he primarily worked in the rural banking sector after starting his career in a farm merchandise store in Waipukurau. Outside of work he enjoys time with family, Wednesday night tennis and is an avid sports follower.
Brendan James
CEO of Vet Services Hawke’s Bay
Brendan joined the Vet Services Team in 2011 as our Business Manager. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant, is passionate about Hawkes Bay, animals and the rural sector and has been often referred to as a wannabe farmer. He really enjoys the veterinary industry and all of the challenges that come with it.
In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife Kelly, son Hamish and daughter Holly. A self-confessed sports nut, BJ as he is more commonly known spends as much time as he can on the tennis court, golf course and mountain bike trails. He has also completed two half iron-mans and the jury is out on whether there will be any more! BJ also takes more than a passing interest in the thoroughbred industry.
Carla Smith
Production Animal Retail Assistant
Carla joined our farm retail team in 2022.
She has an extensive knowledge on production farming, particularly in sheep & beef and enjoys being able to help other farmers reach the best outcomes for their system and animals.
On the days she is not at Vet Services, Carla helps her husband Butch on Te Manuiri Station. She loves springtime and seeing lambs and calves skipping around the farm.
Carla is a strong believer that life is never boring when surrounded by animals and has many pets including some adorable Australian Terriers, Staffie’s, a Maine Coon and even a couple of pet pigs!
Grace Lowry
Marketing and Social Media Coordinator
Grace joined the Vet Services team in March 2020, bringing a background in communications, sales, and marketing. In this role, Grace is thrilled to combine her career with her love for animals.
When she’s not at work, Grace loves exploring the Bay’s vibrant food scene, walking the Peak with her dog Whisky, and soaking up the beautiful beaches with friends and family.
Haydn mcKinley
Production Animal Retail Assistant
Haydn grew up in Hawke’s Bay and pursued a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Lincoln University. With a decade of experience in dairying farming, Haydn developed a deep understanding of the agricultural industry before transitioning into a supply representative role for an animal health company. In January 2025, Haydn joined Vet Services, bringing a wealth of experience in farming and animal health to the team.
Growing up on a lifestyle block and spending school holidays on local farms, Haydn developed a strong passion for agriculture early on. This experience continues to fuel a dedication to helping farmers achieve optimal animal performance.
Outside of work, Haydn enjoys spending quality time with his young family and dog, Duke. When possible, they love getting away to Taupo for some fishing, enjoying the balance of work and relaxation.
Heidi Thompson
Customer Service & Receptionist
Heidi completed a Diploma in Vet Nursing in 2003. She worked in the Nelson area as a nurse before starting a family and moving to Waipukurau.She began working at Vet Services in 2010, where she now works as a part-time receptionist.
Heidi prides herself in being able to help her customers with her knowledge of food and product from many years in the veterinary industry.
Outside of work Heidi enjoys spending time with her amazing family, watching hockey, gardening, cooking and walking.
Jess Manning
Customer Service & Receptionist
Jess started here in April 2012 as a full-time receptionist, her background was in hospitality. Jess has a passion for customer service, animals and looking after ‘her’ staff. Jess has worked in all but our Wairarapa clinics helping out whenever needed. Jess has also been doing our after-hours phones for the last couple of years. When she is not at work (which is rare!) she is at home with her very active little boy or running around after 5 step kids! Life is never dull!
Lisa PEacock
Production Animal Retail Assistant
Lisa joined our farm retail team in 2021.
She has an extensive knowledge on production farming, particularly in sheep, beef & working dogs. She really enjoys helping farms reach their goals with animals on farm.
On the days she is not at Vet Services, Lisa stays busy on farm with her husband Guy their children and dogs.
Louise Humphreys
Business Services Manager
Louise joined the Vet Services Team as our Business Services Manager in 2022. With a background in Accounting & Rural Banking the job held lots of appeal to Louise as it combined two of her favourite things, working with animals and numbers.
Louise enjoys being part of a large, diverse team who have a lot of fun. As an added bonus, she learns something new every day from working with such highly skilled people.
In her spare time, you’ll find Louise on farm where her family breed the most gorgeous Simmental Cows and hanging out with Hazel Humphreys, her Jack Russell.
Megan Atkinson
Customer Services and Reception
Megan joined theVet Services team in 2023, bringing with her a wealth of experience from her time at the Southern Wairarapa Veterinary Clinic. Her broad knowledge and passion for animal care made her a valuable addition to our team. In late 2024, she transitioned to our Waipuk Clinic, where she continues to contribute her expertise to our growing practice.
Outside of work, Megan is an avid animal lover and enjoys spending her free time outdoors with her horses, dogs, and other animals.
Robyn Cudby
Customer Services and Production Animal Receptionist
Robyn started with us in 1985 as the sole receptionist in Waipukurau, then left to start her family in 1987. Robyn returned to the Waipukurau clinic in the retail shop in Oct 1996 in a job share role 2 days a week. Robyn worked in our Hasting’s clinic for a few years while also working in Waipukurau. Robyn then moved to a small animal reception role 2 days a week before taking over her current large animal reception role. Robyn also did our afterhours phone for 20 years before retiring from that 2 years ago. Robyn has a wealth of clinic and client knowledge and loves the diversity of the job, as well as playing a few pranks/jokes along the way. Robyn is very sporty and has spent years on the netball side-line as a manager before retiring that role to concentrate on being a nana.