The medical team

David Doig, GP

David has been practicing medicine for just over 22 years and he thinks he’s almost got the hang of it. Every day offers a new opportunity to learn from our patients and appreciate the amazing restorative power of the body and the resilience of the human spirit. David’s special interest is in nutritional and environmental medicine and seeing patients with complex conditions. This is not helpful for running on time (sorry about this).
​In his spare time he helps his wonderful wife raise their three children and run a small organic lifestyle block, producing very occasional (spectacular) olive oil, lamb chops, eggs, dry grass, and a mountain of debt. He listens to a lot of music and likes to practice archery to unwind. At current rates of improvement he thinks he should be ready for the olympics circa 2096.

James Newman, GP

James trained at Oxford University and Imperial College, University of London. He started specialist Surgical training in London before deciding to train in Intensive Care. He rowed for Oxford University Lightweights, and competed in Jiu Jitsu. He moved to New Zealand in 2012, after getting his NZ paragliding licence in 2009 and honeymooning here in 2012, and returned to Surgery. After the birth of his daughter, Annabelle, he decided to transition to General Practice and enjoys the wide variety and long-term care.
He attempts gardening, beekeeping, and manages to raise extremely clingy animals.
He has specialist interest in skin cancer and surgery, orthopaedics and sports medicine, and medicine for older people. ​

KJ Patel, GP

KJ has been working in New Zealand since 2006 when he escaped the NHS.  He’d always wanted to be a stuntman but gave up the dream when he was six to be a doctor instead.  He has been at Te Mata Peak Practice since 2008.  He enjoys Lithuanian throat singing and very short walks to the fridge and back.  He has a wife, two children, two dogs and a cat.  He’s also a medical educator

Nicola McKendrey

Nicola grew up in rural South Canterbury and obtained her medical degree from the University of Otago in Dunedin and Christchurch. She made the move to Hawkes Bay as a new graduate in 1992, spent 2 years working at Hastings Hospital, a year in Melbourne and then came back to Hawkes Bay to do more varied hospital work and then subsequently chose to do specialist training in General Practice, a choice she has been very happy with. She joined Malcolm Joblin at Peak Practice in 1997, and then moved to the brand new Te Mata Peak Practice building with Malcolm, Hugh Muller and Jon Eames in 2001. She is the last (wo)man standing! 
Nicola really enjoys the longstanding relationships she has with her patients. Her philosophy is of compassionate care, and supporting people to be able to live their lives in a way which is meaningful to them. Nicola and her husband James moved to a lifestyle block in 2019, and are enjoying living there very much. They have 2 children, aged 19 and 21 and consider raising them into lovely young adults who are making their own way in the world a significant achievement. ​

Blaine Stride

Blaine and his wife Diane, a dietitian, arrived in Hastings as part of their OE in June 1996 on a 6 month locum. This became 18 months, then it was 3 years and the first of their 3 children was born and they never returned to South Africa to live, Immigration by default! They consider themselves incredibly blessed to be New Zealanders. Their 3 children were all born here in NZ and Havelock North has been their home for all their lives. Blaine has been at Te Mata Peak Practice since 1st April 2007. Having grown up in a small village like Havelock North of yester-year, then having trained in the metropolis of Johannesburg, he derives great satisfaction in serving the small town community that he and his family are part of. ​
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Alison Turei, GP

Alison settled in the Hawkes Bay after a period abroad, with her family in 2015. She has worked at Te Mata Peak Practice since this time. Her main interests are Paediatrics, Dermatology, and Women's Health.
Outside of her work interests she is busy trying to keep up with her three children who like to keep the after-school schedule full! When not being a sideline supporter or taxi service she loves to play tennis, garden, bake and spend time socially with family and friends.
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Leanne Hutt, NP

Leanne is a Nurse Practitioner who has been working at Te Mata Peak Practice for the past three years.
Leanne has been a nurse practitioner for the past 9yrs, working in primary care, seeing families and individuals, across the life span, with interests in diabetes, children and wound care.  Her advanced nursing skills offer an empathetic listening ear, combined with her skills from her Masters in Nursing. Leanne lives rurally, with her husband and two girls.  She enjoys a busy family life, and squeezes in some horse riding with her girls.  

The nursing team

Carolyn Dale

Carolyn is our quality assurance coordinator.
She is passionate about immunisations, is the vaccine champion for the practice, and is part of the Hawke's Bay DHB Immunisation Steering Group.
Originally from Whanganui, she and her family moved to Hawke's Bay in 1994 and love the region.  She has five adult children and four grandchildren, a dog and 2 cats.  She enjoys being part of a very informal book club, and loves cooking and knitting for her family.

Penny Rhodes

Penny is our Nurse Manager. She grew up in Hawke’s Bay and has worked 23 years in a wide variety of nursing environments in NZ and overseas. She is passionate about community nursing with a focus on patient and whanau centred care. She is caring, friendly and happy to help out where ever she can with your health needs. Penny lives locally with her husband and 3 teenage children. She loves being a mum and enjoys cooking, gardening, cycling, and the beach. ​
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Sarah Acraman

Sarah is our specialist Mental Health nurse.
She is originally from Auckland's North Shore, and came to the Bay in 2001. Four children later, and after 20 years in beauty therapy, she made the switch to nursing and has worked with us since 2015. Since starting, her scope now covers all areas of practice nursing. She likes to be known as the nice nurse for specializing in pain free injections and supporting patients with mild to moderate mental health needs.
Outside of work it's all about her rowdy family, lovely friends, and her faith. 

Viktoriya Zeyfert

Elizabeth (Libby) Mardon

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Richelle Hartgill

Richelle was born and nurse trained in Wellington then moved to Hawke's Bay to bring up her family in a rural environment. She had 8 years farming which has been the highlight for all of the family. Her nursing background is general surgery, renal dialysis specialist nurse, emergency and then rural nursing. These roles have all come with different challenges to keep her on her toes. Richelle now runs our travel clinics at Te Mata Peak Practice providing pre-travel medical assessment, travel health advice and immunisations. 

Lisa Birkett

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