The Vets
Niamh Currid / Veterinarian & Owner
Niamh qualified from UCD , Ireland in 1999 and after spending a few years working in mixed practice in rural Ireland decided to focus on small animal practice in Dublin. In 2005 she moved to the U.K. and spent 4 years working in a busy small animal practice in Manchester. In late 2008 Niamh and her partner made the decision to make Auckland their home and she joined the Point Chev practice in 2009, becoming a partner in 2012.
Niamh thoroughly enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine, especially soft tissue surgery and dentistry . Meeting clients and getting to know them and their pets over the years has been a privilege and is the most fulfilling part of her job. Outside of work Niamh enjoys getting outdoors and doing all sorts of activities with her young family. She also does lots of coloring in and cake making.
Mike Sanders / Veterinarian & Owner
Mike graduated from Massey University in 1992 and began his Veterinarian career in the Waikato before spending 4 years in the UK. After returning to New Zealand Mike has been based in Auckland and has been working out of the Balmoral Clinic since 2002. From 2003 Mike has been a partner in the clinic balancing his work time between management and veterinary work.
Mike enjoys all aspects of veterinary work, his areas of interest include surgery and the challenge of unusual medical cases. When not working Mike certainly keeps busy chasing after his four kids. With his remaining spare time Mike is an avid cyclist competing in many of New Zealands races as well as recently racing in France.
Olaf Klesse
Olaf is a Massey University veterinary graduate. He started his companion animal career in the Hawkes Bay, and after working in practices in Australia and the UK, has recently returned to Auckland to join the team at Balmoral Vets. While he has a keen interest in surgery he very much enjoys being the family's veterinary GP.
Olaf has completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Florida, as well as Master of Science degrees in both Christchurch and Edinburgh. He grew up in countries as diverse as New Zealand, Germany, Kenya and Barbados. In his spare time he remains a keen sportsman, loves to travel and is an avid photographer.
Anna Edwards
Anna graduated from Massey University in 2001 and began her Veterinarian career in the Waikato before spending 5 years in the UK in Small Animal Practice. During her time overseas Anna and her husband traveled extensively, India and South America being among her favorites. After returning to New Zealand Anna took time out to start a family before joining the team at Pt Chev in June 2013.
Anna enjoys all aspects of veterinary work; her areas of interest include clinical pathology and soft tissue surgery. In her spare time Anna likes to get outdoors for a run or mountain bike. Coffee also rates highly on her weekend activities.
Joelle March
Joelle has worked in small animal practice since graduating from Massey University in 2003. She values the human animal bond and making a difference in the lives of pets and their owners. Joelle enjoys surgery, medicine and the ever growing knowledge in veterinary science. She will be working at the Royal Oak, Balmoral and Point Chevalier clinics.
In her spare time, if she’s not walking her rescue dog Milly, she’s getting her hands muddy making pottery working towards a diploma in ceramic arts (2019)
Andrew Patterson / Locum Veterinarian
Andrew has many years of experience gained in New Zealand, England, Greece and Egypt and all clinics in our group love having him to cover our full-time Vets when they are on holiday.
Apart from being a Vet, Andrew has a keen interest in DIY building & landscaping and during the summer is an avid water skier.
Karen Kennedy
Karen has worked in small animal practise since graduating with honours from UCD, Ireland in 2010. Since making Aotearoa her home 12 years ago, she has enjoyed working across several busy Auckland clinics.
Karen likes both medical and surgical cases and loves meeting you and your pets. She enjoys continued education within the industry and feels very lucky to work with animals every day.
Outside of work Karen loves to get outdoors with her husband and dog, travel and learn about different languages and cultures.
She works across the Balmoral and Point Chevalier clinics.
Elmie Nel
Being a vet means you are a problem solver. And solving puzzles, advocating for her patients and helping owners navigate the difficult and often emotional minefield of decision making, to ensure the best quality of life for their furry family, is Elmie’s passion.
She qualified as a vet in South Africa and hopped on the first flight out to the UK. She spent 5 years working in the UK and travelling to experience as much of the world as possible.
She then settled down as a small animal vet in South Africa for 5 years at a large rural practice. Elmie, her husband and their pets moved to Auckland in 2010 and she has since worked all over Auckland as a small animal locum vet and been part of the Veterinary Care team for some time.
Outside of work they are avid scuba divers and try and get away to the islands as often as possible. Joey, their fluffy child is a very elderly moggy who made the journey from SA to NZ with them, and of course, rules the house!
The Nurses
Natalie
Natalie has been working as a veterinary nurse since 2015, starting initially at our Balmoral clinic before moving to Point Chevalier and working there for a number of years. She made the move to an emergency and speciality clinic in early 2021 developing her knowledge and experience before heading back to Point Chevalier in late 2022, stepping back into the role of Head Nurse/ Clinic Manager. She has a keen interest in anaesthesia, analgesia and emergency care. Natalie is also working on developing CPD and clinical training for the nurses across the three clinics.
In her spare time Natalie loves to get outside and explore Auckland. She also enjoys exercising, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends.
Sarah
Sarah graduated in 1995 and joined our team in 2007, first at Royal Oak and she is now part of the Balmoral team. Sarah has a keen interest in surgical nursing and also enjoys creating relationships with our clients and their pets.
She shares her home with her husband, daughter and a menagerie of pets including her beloved chickens.
AJ
AJ has been a vet nurse for 15 years and has worked in both general practice as well as specialist care. She started as a locum nurse for the Vet Care team and now works at the Royal Oak clinic.
In her spare time AJ enjoys dancing, arts and crafts and attending music events and festivals.
Elaine / Office Manager
Elaine is the friendly face at reception and has been with Balmoral Vets since 2005. She is the heart of the clinic and keeps us running smoothly. Elaine has an especially soft spot for senior pets, she believes there is a "forever home" for every pet and occasionally fosters and places pets in new homes.
Elaine loves to travel overseas and explore New Zealand, and always has her camera ready to capture special moments.
Olivia
Olivia comes from an animal loving family and has always had a great passion for all things animal related. Following in her mother’s footsteps, she has been a veterinary receptionist since 2016. Starting off working with exotic animals, she gained knowledge about different scaly and feathery species. However, her love for companion animals is undeniable as she has grown up surrounded by cats and dogs.
Outside of work, Olivia’s interests include working on her health and fitness and putting her creative skills to use with all things fashion related.
Hannah joined the Point Chev team as a Kennel hand assistant while studying her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. After graduating in 2022, Hannah joined as a full time Veterinary Nurse. She is eager to continue expanding her skills and growing her confidence in all areas of the job.
Outside of work, Hannah likes to unwind by reading and hanging out with her very cute and very high energy cat, Kaz. As a newer resident of Auckland, Hannah also enjoys exploring the city and finding the best ice cream spots.
Hannah
Lana
Lana graduated in 2000 and joined the team soon after. Along came her two beautiful children, and after having a 7 year break, to take care of them at home, she decided to re join the team.
Lana enjoys spending time in the great outdoors and enjoys all aspects of Vet Nursing and in particular enjoys interacting with the clients and their pets.
Vicky
Vicky joined our team in 2022 after moving up to Auckland from the Wairarapa. Vicky has an interest in dentistry, nutrition and surgical nursing.
Outside of work Vicky enjoys spending time with her animals and adventuring outdoors.
Eleanor
Eleanor graduated from Unitec in November 2021 with a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. She has been working with companion animals since 2016 and joined the Point Chev clinic in April 2023, Bringing an avid interest for internal medicine cases and anaesthesia.
Born and raised in West Auckland, she has a passion for lifestyle animals and spending her down time with her own fluffy friends Winnie, Remy and Inky.
Lakshmy
Lakshmy joined the Royal Oak team in 2021. She graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing in 2022.
In her spare time, Lakshmy loves cuddling with her cat (Shadow), listening to music, reading & cooking cuisines from different cultures.
Nicole
Nicole qualified in 1998 and has always wanted to work with animals which was achieved after doing her apprenticeship in hairdressing
Nicole has always had a houseful of animals and treated and mended the strays until they could be rehomed.
Now that Nicole’s two children are teenagers she enjoys her free time in the weekend going to classic car shows and just cruising out of Auckland.
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Abby
Abby graduated with her bachelors in veterinary nursing in 2020 and joined our Point Chevalier team soon after. She loves all animals and loves being able to meet them and help stay waggy tailed and purring, just like her beloved Eris (pictured) She has a particular interest in anaesthesia and surgical nursing as well as nursing patients staying in hospital.
In her off time, Abby loves painting, motorbikes, gaming, sewing, candle making, reading, traveling, rock climbing, and pilates.