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

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.  

Viktoriya Zeyfert, NP

The nursing team

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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Lisa Birkett

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. 

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.