Our Clinics
PHYSIOTHERAPY@CAREfirst
From our two New Plymouth locations in Westown and Moturoa (opened on the 31st of May) 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.
Andrew Larkin
Director / Physiotherapist
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
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
Nathan Coombes
Lead Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
Background
Nathan is born and raised on a dairy farm in coastal Taranaki and attended Francis Douglas Memorial College. During his youth he was a keen athlete competing in a number of individual sports. This paired with his strong interest in health and wellbeing led to him studying Physiotherapy at Auckland University of Technology.
While studying Nathan continued to compete in the sports of triathlon, duathlon and athletics and attended multiple world
championship events.
Nathan enjoys helping athletes getting back on track and injury free and helping others return to their active lifestyles.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (2011)
Post Graduate Certificate in Acupuncture (2012)
Post Graduate Diploma in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (2015)
Masters of Health Practice (Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, 2015)
Work Experience
Nathan has had eight years’ experience working in private practice and sports Physiotherapy.
He worked for four years in Auckland while he completed his post graduate studies prior to moving to Dunedin for one year to explore the South Island.
Nathan has been working in New Plymouth for three years and joined PHYSIOTHERAPY@CAREfirst in 2019. He has worked extensively with Rugby, swimming and athletics.
Interests
Marathons, athletics and tramping, rugby and cricket.
Nick Arnold
Senior Physiotherapist
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
Simeon Joubert
Physiotherapist
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) 2021Work 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
Anna Smiley
Senior Physiotherapist
Background
Anna grew up in Auckland and was very involved in competitive swimming and Surf Life Saving. After studying Physiotherapy at AUT in Auckland, Anna moved to New Plymouth to work. She thoroughly enjoyed the Taranaki lifestyle and eventually relocated here permanently with her family in 2012.Anna has a holistic approach to treatment and enjoys helping people achieve their goals.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy) 2001
Postgraduate Diploma in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy 2009
Certificate in Te Ara Reo Maori (level 1 & level 2) 2019Work Experience
After graduating Anna worked as a rotational Physiotherapist at Taranaki Base Hospital from 2002-2004. Anna then travelled and worked in Scotland and England in Hospital outpatient departments for 2 years, treating a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions.In 2007 Anna returned to Aotearoa and worked in a private practice in Auckland while also completing her post graduate diploma in musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.
Anna took time out to have 3 children, studied Te Reo Maori and taught kids yoga for several years before returning to the Physiotherapy profession.
Interests
Swimming, surfing, yoga, Te Reo Maori, and spending time with her family.
Zara Ward
Senior Physiotherapist
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!
Janelle Grubner
Cardio-Respiratory Physiotherapist
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.
Sarah Birchler
Practice Administrator
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.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with friends, baking, collecting old books, reading and knitting animal soft toys.
Liz Tume
Receptionist
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.
In Liz’s leisure time she goes on long walks, solves Sudoku and Wordle puzzles and reads.