Our Clinics

PHYSIOTHERAPY@CAREfirst

From our two New Plymouth locations in Westown, Moturoa and Bell Block. Physiotherapy@Carefirst provides the highest quality of physiotherapy treatment for patients from a variety of backgrounds and injuries.

We optimise our patients quality of wellness with accurate diagnosis and the most up to date knowledge, scientific research and targeted methods of therapy and rehabilitation.

No referral is required to access Physiotherapy and all ACC documentation can be completed at our clinics. We can refer for xray’s and Ultrasounds and refer onto Orthopaedic Consultants.

Expert Physiotherapy

The care you need, right across New Plymouth.
Find us in Westown, Moturoa, and Bell Block – no referral needed, ACC claims welcome.

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Andrew Larkin

Director / Physiotherapist

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Background
Andrew was a competitive road & track cyclist to an international level until an injury limited his cycling.

After a 4 year OE in the UK, Andrew returned to NZ in 1995 to start his university study

Qualifications
Bachelor in Health Science, (Physiotherapy), 2000,
Masters in Health Practice, (MSK Physiotherapy), Hons, 2007

Work Experience
After graduating from AUT Andrew took up a rotation Physiotherapist role at Taranaki Base Hospital from 2001-2002.

From 2002 to 2005 Andrew worked in London primarily in private hospitals.

His sports Physiotherapy background is varied with experience with the Taranaki Stormers Basketball team from 2001-2002, Middlesex Cricket Club and MCC 2003-2005. TRFU Academy, TRFU 7’s, TRFU Development and TRFU ITM/Mitre10 Cup Physiotherapist 2006-2020.

He currently owns PHYSIOTHERAPY@CAREfirst where he treats a variety of acute musculoskeletal and sports injuries, along with some complex chronic pain conditions. Andrew trained in acupuncture in the UK and in New Zealand.

Director and Senior Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist.

Interests
Mt Biking, Gym, Spending time with his family

Ashleigh Day

Senior Physiotherapist

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Background
Ash grew up in Timaru and was always keen on sports competing in soccer, rowing, cycling and mountain biking throughout high school. Her passion for sport led her to Dunedin where she started her physiotherapy career.

Ash has spent the last few years overseas and is excited to be back in New Zealand close to family and back to the great outdoors.

Qualifications
Bachelor of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, 2015.

Work Experience
After graduating, Ash worked in Timaru, in private practice, residential care, rural and private hospital care.

Ash then spent 2 years as a locum in the UK in a range of hospitals and outpatient clinics.

She’s spent the last year working in private practice and sports physiotherapy in Melbourne.

Interests
Running and mountain biking, playing with my puppy, Travelling and photography

Nick Arnold

Senior Physiotherapist

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Background
Raised in New Plymouth, Nick is a former Francis Douglas Memorial College student who has a keen interest in sport and health.

After leaving school Nick studied Physiotherapy at Auckland University of Technology, graduating in 2015.

Nick went straight into working in private practice following university, and has just returned to New Plymouth after two and a half years working in the UK and Hawkes Bay.

Qualifications
Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy), 2015
Nick has undertaken further training in Dry Needling

Work Experience
4 years working in private practice and sports physiotherapy
Senior Squad/Academy Physiotherapist Northamptonshire County Cricket Club
Physiotherapist Central District Stags Cricket 2019-2020
Travelling Physiotherapist for Denstone College (UK) 1st XV on tour to Hong Kong and Japan

Interests
Rugby, cricket, surf life saving, running, golf and travelling

Kelsey Husband

Physiotherapist

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Background
Kelsey grew up in Taranaki and was a student at New Plymouth Girls High School.

After studying and graduating from Auckland University of Technology, she returned to New Plymouth to start her Physiotherapy career at Physiotherapy@Carefirst.

After 2 years at Physiotherapy@Carefirst, Kelsey undertook her OE and is returning to work at Physiotherapy@Carefirst early November 2024.

Kelsey’s interest in sport and especially her involvement in cricket influenced her interest in physiotherapy and she still plays cricket at a representative level.

Qualifications
Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy), 2020

Interests
Cricket, netball, travelling and spending time at the beach

Simeon Joubert

Physiotherapist

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Background
Simeon was born in South Africa but raised in Auckland. He has always had high interest in sport and adventure which drew him to New Plymouth.

During his high school years at Westlake Boys, he grew a liking of anatomy, sports and biomechanics which naturally led him into Physiotherapy.

Qualifications
Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy) 2021

Work Experiance
Simeon went straight into private practice after qualifying in 2021.
Simeon values a patient centred approach, tailoring treatment and rehabilitation to the individuals’ goals and injury.

Interests
Church, Family time, CrossFit, surfing and disc golf

Olivia Lashin

Physiotherapist

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Background

Born in South Africa, Olivia migrated to NZ with her parents and sisters when she was a teenager. She was a competitive swimmer, waterpolo player and underwater hockey player at national and international level. Her involvement in elite level sport, and as a consequence, many hours spent at physiotherapy, fostered a keen interest in human anatomy and physiology and performance, which naturally led to a career in Physiotherapy.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy) 2004 from Auckland University of Technology

Olivia has also undertaken further training in Pilates and dry needling.

Work Experience

After graduating from AUT, Olivia worked for 2 years as a Rotational Physiotherapist at Rotorua and Auckland Hospitals in areas including Medical, Surgical, Vascular, ICU, Gerontology, Orthopaedics and Outpatient departments. She then spent 3 years working in private practice in Auckland before moving to Australia, where she worked in private practice and Gerontology across Queensland and in Melbourne, Victoria.

Interests

Having recently moved back to NZ with her young family, Olivia enjoys exploring Taranaki and further afield with her husband and their two children. She also has a keen interest in photography (and is by default, the family photographer), and enjoys capturing their family adventures and travels on her Canon DSLR.

Zara Ward

Senior Physiotherapist

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Background

Raised in the Bay of Plenty by two very active parents, Zara found a love for sport in her high school years which came with a fair amount of injuries.

Through her rehabilitation, she found the profession of physiotherapy that combined helping people and being involved in sport.

After meeting her husband in Whakatane hospital, Zara moved to Northern Ireland and Scotland for 2 years before settling back in the Bay of Plenty.

Her husband’s medical training then led him to take up a job at Taranaki Base Hospital, which is how they ended up in the mighty Naki.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy) at AUT, 2016. Currently studying towards a Masters of Health Science at AUT.

Work Experience: Zara started her physiotherapy career as a Rotational Physiotherapist at Whakatane Hospital from 2017 to 2018 before moving overseas. She then spent two years working as a locum in the UK in a variety of settings – outpatients, acute respiratory, medical, and private physiotherapy clinics.

Since arriving back to New Zealand in 2020, Zara has worked in a Sports physiotherapy Clinic working with athletes in a variety of settings, especially rugby at club and provincial levels, the NZ speed climbing team, runners and rhythmic gymnasts.

Interests: Triathlon, biking in any form, hiking, and baking to fuel all the adventures!

Nicola Milby

Senior Physiotherapist

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Background

Raised in Scotland by dairy farmers, Nicola found a love for the outdoors and stayed active through various sports. From sporting injuries, Physiotherapy seemed the natural career choice.

Nicola worked in the NHS in the UK for 4 years doing rotational posts then specialising in MSK outpatients as a senior Physio. She then locumed for 18 months in various areas: Palliative Care, Parkinsons and Elderly, Respiratory, Musculoskeletal/Outpatients Physio, Orthopaedics, and Women’s Health Maternity and Gynae.

In 2017, Nicola emigrated to New Zealand and has since met her partner and started a young family. She has worked in both Private and Public systems in New Zealand.

Qualifications: BSc Honours in Sport and Exercise Science with Sporting Injuries (2009)
MSc Pre-Reg Physiotherapy (2011)
Undertaken further training in Dry Needling, COMT, Pelvic Health, and BradCliff Breathing.

Work Experience:
Volunteered in an orphanage in India for 1 month, providing Physiotherapy for children with disabilities and global developmental delays.

Sporting physio experience varies from Port Taranaki WHIO Physio, working with high performance athletes, TRFU Maori team physio, and Taranaki Bulls lead Physiotherapist.

Interests: Sports Performance and pelvic health.
Spending time with family, hiking, swimming, pilates, travelling, staying fit and active.

Janelle Grubner

Cardio-Respiratory Physiotherapist

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Background

Janelle grew up in Auckland, where after leaving school she studied Physiotherapy at Auckland University of Technology, graduating in 2005.

After completing physiotherapy rotations at Auckland City Hospital, Janelle travelled overseas. On returning, Janelle moved and settled with her husband in New Plymouth.

Janelle is a Bradcliff Practitioner and she is passionate about breathing and the effects that breathing has on our body and mind. At least 1 in 10 people experience some form of breathing pattern disorder or chronic over-breathing in their lifetime.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy) 2005

Bradcliff Breathing Practitioner

Work Experience

Janelle completed her rotations at Auckland City Hospital.

She then worked at Taranaki Base Hospital for 10 years with the majority of this time spent working in the inpatient wards doing cardiorespiratory physiotherapy.

Janelle has been working in private practice for the last few years where her passion is assessing and retraining Breathing Pattern Disorders, in a wide range of patients including hyperventilation, stress and anxiety, fatigue, concussion, breathing pattern dysfunctions and chronic pain.

Interests

Spending time with family and friends, mountain biking, tramping, gardening, baking, the outdoors and travelling.

Michael Appert

Physiotherapist

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Background: Michael grew up in Inglewood and attended Inglewood High School, where he won several awards and Scholarships including Leaders of tomorrow, Senior Sportsman twice and Merit award for Excellence achieved. Michael then attended the University of Otago from 2021-2024

Qualifications: Bachelor of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, 2024.

Work Experience: Michael is starting his Physiotherapy career at Physiotherapy@Carefirst after having spend the whole of 2024 on Physiotherapy placements.

Interests: Rugby and CrossFit.

Liz Tume

Receptionist

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Background: Liz joined Physio@Carefirst in May 2022 as a receptionist, prior to the Physio role she had completed a 24 year career with Progressive Enterprise Ltd.

Liz really enjoys her new job, especially assisting the patients and supporting the Physio team, as no two days are ever the same.

Interests: In Liz’s leisure time she goes on long walks, solves Sudoku and Wordle puzzles and reads.

Liam Matthews

Physiotherapist

Sarah Birchler

Practice Administrator

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Background: Sarah joined PHYSIOTHERAPY @CAREfirst at the start of 2020 in a part-time capacity after working in a variety of administration and support roles in other New Plymouth organisations.

Sarah loves the opportunity she has to meet patients and support the Physiotherapy team.

Interests: In her spare time she enjoys spending time with friends, baking, collecting old books, reading and knitting animal soft toys.

About

Our Clinics

Expert Physiotherapy

Andrew Larkin

Ashleigh Day

Nick Arnold

Kelsey Husband

Simeon Joubert

Olivia Lashin

Zara Ward

Nicola Milby

Janelle Grubner

Michael Appert

Liz Tume

Liam Matthews

Sarah Birchler