Tūtaki ki te Rōpū | Meet The Team
Our whole Manu Ora team are passionate about providing our patients with high quality, culturally appropriate primary health care, focusing on all aspects of hauora (wellbeing) in a more flexible, whānau-centred way.
All Manu Ora GPs have (or are training towards) Fellowship of the Royal NZ College of GPs and have specialised in General Practice. This means we can provide you with the quality of care you deserve.
What do our qualifications mean?
- MBChB = Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
- MBBS = Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (UK)
- FRNZCGP = Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners
- DCH = Diploma in Child Health
- DHSc = Diploma in Health Science
- CEM = Certificate in Emergency Medicine
- RN = Registered Nurse
Dr Rachel Inder
Mātanga Rata / GP
Read Mihi | Bio
Kia ora
Ko Rachel Inder toku ingoa
Nō Waiharakeke oku tipuna
I whānau mai au ki Wairau
I tipu ake au ki Waiharakeke
Kei Wairau au e noho ana
E ai ki te whakatauki: ‘He waka eke noa’ – we are all in this waka together
Nō reira tēnā koutou, tēna koutou, tēna koutou kātoa.
I was born and raised in Marlborough, trained at Otago University, then worked at Wairau Hospital after graduation. Prior to heading on an OE I worked in a range of specialties in Wellington and Starship hospitals. Returning to NZ was an easy choice and I settled into Paediatrics then General Practice in Wellington in 1999. After a brief stint in Auckland we returned to Waiharakeke to be closer to our whānau in 2017.
I am interested in all aspects of General Practice and consider it a privilege to be part of a patient’s health journey. My special interest is preventative health and a holistic approach to medicine where the concept of Te Whare Tapa Whā forms the basis on which to improve health and wellbeing.
I am married with three adventurous children. We all enjoy the activities that our beautiful region offers, The most special place for our whanau and me are the mountains, native bush and waters around St Arnaud and Lake Rotoiti.
I look forward to meeting you.
Noho ora mai.
Dr Sara Simmons
Mātanga Rata / GP
Read Mihi | Bio
Tēnā koutou katoa,
Ko Tākitimu te maunga, Ōreti te awa, Tākitimu me Uruao ngā waka, Ngāi Tahu te iwi, Ngāti Huirapa te hapū, Murihiku te marae, Nō Waiharakeke ahau, Ko Sara Simmons tōku ingoa.
I grew up and went to school in Blenheim before heading off to Otago University to study medicine. I returned to work at Wairau Hospital after graduating in 2008, with the intention of moving on after a few years, however I met my now-husband soon after returning, and have never left. Being a doctor was all I ever wanted to do, and I am so lucky that my path has lead me back to be able to work in and serve the community that has given me so much.
My husband is the 5th-generation to farm the land where we live with our 2 young sons. My husband’s father and brother also live on the farm. My parents are 5 minutes down the road, and my Nana lives in Blenheim too. Whānau is the most important thing to us, and we count ourselves very lucky to have ours so nearby.
As a GP, whakawhanaungatanga is the basis for what I love most, which is building relationships with patients and whānau. I take pride in excellent communication, and have special interests in mental health and palliative care. As well as working as a GP, I work at Hospice Marlborough – a role which I love for the important benefits that quality end-of-life care can offer to patients and their whānau.
I have a passion for performing arts – I teach highland dancing at my mum’s dance studio and relish performing in and/or watching anything to do with musical theatre. Since having children, I have become an avid knitter and also enjoy taking our tamariki walking/swimming/biking… anything to burn off a bit of their boundless energy!
I look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to Manu Ora.
Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tatou katoa.
Nā, Sara.
Dr Georgina Walton
Mātanga Rata / GP
Read Mihi | Bio
Ko Fishtail te maunga te rū nei taku ngākau,
Ko Rotoiti te awa e mahea nei aku māharahara,
Nō Norfolk, UK ahau,
E mihi ana ki ngā tohu o nehe, o Waiharakeke, e noho nei au,
Tēnā koutou katoa.
Kia ora koutou. My name is Georgina Walton. I moved to Blenheim from the UK with my husband Byron in 2010. After working in the Wairau Emergency Department for 18 months, I completed my GP training and have continued to work in Blenheim ever since.
I enjoy connecting with patients and offer an open and relaxed partnership so that Te Whare Tapa Whā can flourish.
I have a strong interest in improving the primary healthcare system with regards to sustainability, equity and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.
I enjoy maintaining an active lifestyle. I can usually be seen participating in Parkrun on a Saturday morning, out running in the Wither Hills, cycling in the area, or at a Pilates or yoga class. I enjoy participating in running events for the social connections it offers me.
I also love to grow vegetables and enjoy the challenge of keeping houseplants alive!
I look forward to meeting you and enjoying a partnership on your haoura journey.
Ngā mihi aroha.
Dr Mary McWatters
Mātanga Rata / GP
Read Mihi | Bio
Kia Ora Tātou,
Te Aroha te Maunga, Ko Piako te awa, Nō Ngatea Ahau, Ko McWatters Tōku Whānau, Ko Mary Tōku Ingoa
I grew up in a small town called Ngatea in the Waikato and moved to Blenheim once I finished medical school and started my work as a junior doctor in Wairau Hospital. I then specialized in general practice which I love.
I live in Blenheim with my husband and young daughter. My mum also lives in Blenheim now.
I love being a GP and getting to know my patients as a whole person. I feel being alongside a patient on their journey to wellness is such a privilege.
I have a special interest in women’s health and chronic pain and a passion for helping patients understand their health and treatments.
I love going for walks in our lovely town, reading a good book and cooking yummy treats for my family.
I look forward to getting to know you and supporting you on your wellness journey.
Ngā Mihi, Mary.
Dr Sophie Hart
Mātanga Rata / GP
Read Mihi | Bio
Tēnā koutou katoa
E rere taku manu ki te tihi o Moutohora
Rere taku manu mā Te moana-nui-a-kiwa
Tau ana taku manu ki te whenua o Mahakipawa, Te hoiere.
Ko Ngāi Tahu te mana whenua te iwi whakaruruhau
Nō Hauraki nō Adelaide ōku tipuna
Ko Sophie tōku ingoa
I grew up in Ōhope, Whakatāne. A small beach-side town in the North Island. Famous for its rivalry for the most sunshine hours with Te Tau Ihu! I studied medicine in Dunedin, and have pretty much lived in Te Waipounamu since.
I began working at Manu Ora at the start of 2024. What drew me to work in this clinic, is that all the staff here are striving for the same goals, of improving health equity and the patient journey. Achieving health equity, particularly for Māori is something I have been passionate about for many years – and it is incredibly rewarding to be part of such a great cohesive team who are all aligned in this value.
The best part of General Practice for me, is meeting so many different people, and getting to know them and their wider whānau. I really enjoy the diversity of what a day can bring; no two days ever being the same. I also really love following māmā through pregnancies and then meeting pēpi and watching them grow and develop.
My husband and I have two young children, and we enjoy spending a lot of our spare time in the outdoors with them. In fact, this is the main reason we moved to the Marlborough region, for the access to the water and the mountains. I have also spent a number of years competing in various multi-sport races and ultra endurance events. I’m a firm believer in nature being great therapy for our mental and physical wellbeing, and try to live this every day in some way.
I look forward to welcoming you to Manu Ora as part of our amazing team.
Noho ora mai,
Sophie
Dr Christina Frost
Mātanga Rata / GP
Read Mihi | Bio
Tēnā koutou,
I was born in England, to English and German parents, and completed my doctor training at Leicester University.
I first visited Aotearoa on a medical elective. I fell in love with the country and returned to work in Taranaki, and in Wairau, before heading back to the UK to complete my GP training.
In 2014 my partner and I moved back to Marlborough with our two boys. We all love the outdoors and enjoy tramping and biking. I also enjoy relaxing with a good book!
I enjoy the variety of general practice, and it is an absolute privilege to be a partner with people and their whānau in their health journey.
Tara Scott
Kaiwhakahaere / Manager
Read Mihi | Bio
Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa,
Ko Tokomaru te maunga
Ko Wairau te awa
Ko Tainui te waka
Ko Wairau Pa te marae
Ko Ngāti Rarua, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Rangitāne ngā iwi
Ko Luke Toku Whānau
Ko Sativa taku tamāhine
Ko Tara toku ingoa
He aha te mea nui o te ao?
He tāngata! He tāngata! He tāngata!
I’m Tara, I was born & bred in Wairau.
Most of my childhood was spent exploring our luscious backyards from the moana to maunga and enjoying whānau time.
Ngā mihi nui, Tara.
Casie Seymour
Kaiwhakatau Manuhiri / Receptionist
Read Mihi | Bio
Tēnā koutou katoa
Ko Pipitarawai te maunga
Ko Mangatukarewa te awa
Ko Tokomaru te waka
Ko Whakamaharatanga te marae
Ko Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri te iwi
Ko Casie taku ingoa
Kia Ora, my name is Casie, and I work in reception here with Manu Ora.
My husband, 3 daughters and I relocated to Marlborough in 2021 from the Chatham Islands. We moved for our daughters’ high school education – as the only other option was to send them to boarding school. We are loving exploring the Marlborough region and mainland New Zealand in our free time.
For 16 years prior to moving I worked for the local airline in reservations and accounts. I love working in customer-facing roles and am happy to help with any queries you may have.
Ngā mihi,
Casie
Tania Postlethwaite
Kaiwhakatau Manuhiri / Receptionist
Read Mihi | Bio
o Tiheia te maunga
Ko Te Wai Mimi o Pekehāua, ko Te Kaikaitahuna, Ko Hauraki, Ko Mangorewa me Onaia ngā awa
Ko Pekehāua rāua ko Hinerua ngā tīpua
Ko Tarimano te Marae
Ko Puhirua me Ōrangikahui ngā moenga o ngā Tūpuna
Ko Ngāti Rangiwewehi te iwi
Ko Te Arawa te waka
Tēnā koutou, I’m Tania. I joined the team at Manu Ora in 2024, after relocating back to Blenheim to be closer to my whānau – having spent time living and working in in rural Waikato. I am the proud Māmā of 8 and ‘Nanni’ to 6 mokopuna (grandchildren) – all of whom I enjoy spending quality time with, every chance I get! My whānau and I also really enjoy outdoor life, animals, sport and adventures.
I look forward to meeting and greeting you from the front desk!
Ngā mihi nui,
Tania
Tania Gregory
Tapuhi Arahanga / Clinical Nurse Leader
Read Mihi | Bio
Ngā mihi nui kia koutou katoa
Ko Tania Gregory tōku ingua
No Aotearoa, no Kōtirana, no Ingarani ōku tipuna
I whānau mai au ki Waikato
I tipu ake au Wairau
Kei Wairau ahau e noho ana
He Tapuhi Arahanga ahau
I ai ki te whakatauki
E iti noa ana nā te aroha – A small thing given with love
Nō reira tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātau katoa.
My name is Tania Gregory. My parents were from Collingwood in Golden Bay, but made Marlborough our home when I was 4 years of age. I left Marlborough to complete my Nursing Training at Nelson Polytechnic and then ventured on to Auckland, Australia and the UK to gain both nursing and life experience.
My nursing background has included Mental Health, Surgical, Elderly Care, Primary Health, and Occupational Health Nursing both in New Zealand and abroad. I strongly believe in Te Whare Tapa Whā, and aim to make the most of the huge benefits that using this model has on overall wellbeing.
I met my husband in London (a fellow Kiwi on his OE!) before returning to Queenstown where we both worked and enjoyed the outdoor life. We had our two children while living there before returning to Marlborough 14 years ago to be closer to whānau.
I am passionate about health and fitness and love encouraging my whānau and friends to participate in various outdoor and fitness pursuits with me.
I am excited to be part of the Manu Ora whānau and look forward to our hauora journey together.
Noho ora mai, Tania.
Ann McAslan
Tapuhi Hauora / Nurse
Read Mihi | Bio
Kia ora!
I am originally from Wellington and many of my whānau still live there. I lived in Marlborough for 15 years before moving down to the mountains, lakes and rivers of the Mackenzie Basin for five years. Eventually, the pull of the sea drew me back to Te Tau Ihu.
I trained as an RN back in the 80s with my heart set on travel. I returned to New Zealand in the late 90s, completed a publishing course and worked at the Ministry for the Environment for several years. I missed the very special and personal relationships that nursing offers and started work as a practice nurse. I haven’t looked back.
I have spent the last 17 years working in general practice as well as in PHOs (the administrative arm of general practice) and in a bookshop and a power station!
I have always felt passionate about people and the fact that everyone has a story to tell, and that they should have time to tell it – I believe that having our stories heard plays an integral part of our health and wellbeing.
I look forward to meeting you at Manu Ora.
Mā te wā, Ann.
Nicola Heaney
Tapuhi Hauora / Nurse
Read Mihi | Bio
Kia ora koutou,
I’m Nicola, and I have joined the Manu Ora whānau as a Practice Nurse, after 13 years previously in District Nursing at Wairau Hospital.
I was born in Nelson but have spent most of my life in Marlborough – until I left in 2000 to do my Nursing degree in Christchurch. We spent some time over in Australia working and travelling, before moving home to Marlborough in 2009 to be closer to whānau.
Marlborough is an awesome region, and I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else to raise our two awesome teenage children.
I enjoy the Marlborough outdoors and all that we have on offer. As a family we love exploring our own backyard and beyond with camping, mountain biking and hiking a large part of our life.
I feel so privileged to be part of the Manu Ora team and learning all there is to build on my knowledge and experience in General Practice.
I look forward to meeting all our lovely patients and helping in your wellness journey.
Ngā mihi,
Nicola.
Dora Godsiff
Tapuhi Hauora / Nurse
Read Mihi | Bio
Kia ora koutou,
My name is Dorothea Godsiff, but I go by Dora. I’m originally from Germany, and my family moved to Aotearoa in 2005. I then grew up in Dunedin, which is where I finished school and then completed my Nursing training at Otago Polytechnic.
I was lucky enough to get a New Grad position in Blenheim once I graduated and have lived here since 2013.
Marlborough is a lovely place to raise a family and I feel fortunate to be living here with my husband and two young children (and cat and dog!). We are also lucky enough to have both sets of grandparents living in Blenheim so have plenty of whānau around.
I have worked in Primary Healthcare since graduating, having moved around a few practices in the area and feel very lucky to have joined the team at Manu Ora recently.
I look forward to meeting you and supporting you on your hauora journey.
Ngā mihi nui, Dora.
Mikayla Charlton
Kaiāwhina Haumanu Hauora / Health Care Assistant
Read Mihi | Bio
Tēnā koutou katoa
Ko Tiheia me Whakapunake ngā maunga
Ko Te Wai Mimi o Pekehaua me Te Wairoa Hopupu Hongenengene Matangi Rau ngā awa
Ko Tarimano te marae
Ko Ngāti Rangiwewehi me Ngāti Kahungunu ngā iwi
Ko Te Arawa me Takitimu ngā waka
Ko Mikayla taku ingoa
Kia ora, my name’s Mikayla and I work as a Healthcare Assistant here at Manu Ora, although you may also see me on the front desk from time to time.
I grew up in Blenheim and am now raising my son Jeremiah here. My spare time is usually spent with whānau and friends – getting out and about enjoying what our region has to offer us.
I look forward to getting to know you all and helping you on your health and wellbeing journey.
Ngā mihi, Mikayla
Shianne Casey
Kaitautoko Hapori / Health Coach
Read Mihi | Bio
Kia ora e te whānau
Ko Kohukohunui taku maunga
Ko Tikapa taku moana
Ko Tainui me Kotuiti taku waka
Ko Ngāti Paoa taku iwi
Ko Urikaraka taku hapu
Ko Wharekawa taku marae
Ko Hōri Pōkai Te Ruinga taku tipuna
Ko Wairau taku whare
Ko Shianne taku ingoa
My name is Shianne and I am a Kaitautoko Hapori / Health Coach. I spend my time at Manu Ora medial centre working alongside some amazing wāhine who all aim to make a positive difference in the deliverance of primary health care.
I enjoy being able to walk alongside whānau and whaiora to help reach their wellness goals and to help those to be the best ‘they’ can be.
Ngā mihi
Shianne
He Poari Kaitohu | Board Of Directors
Manu Ora is a charity, set up as a partnership between Te Piki Oranga (a Māori wellness provider) and two of the GPs who work in the practice – Dr Rachel Inder and Dr Sara Simmons.
This partnership was formed through a shared commitment to change the delivery of primary health care in Wairau, with a focus on improving health equity for Māori and a fulfilling workplace for kaimahi.
Our Board are 100% committed to helping us fulfil the Manu Ora vision, mission and kaupapa.
Lauree Ashworth
Chairperson
Read Mihi | Bio
Lauree is a registered social worker with over 20 years of experience across a range of areas. During the past 10 years she has been active in health, from within a Kaupapa Māori model of care and working in mainstream health, where she is the clinical coordinator of the Wairau Addictions Service in Blenheim. Lauree is the Kaikōkiri of Hauora for Rangitāne o Wairau and was appointed as a director for the board of Te Piki Oranga from this role. She comes to the board of Manu Ora as a representative of our partner Te Piki Oranga.
Anne Hobby
Board Member
Read Mihi | Bio
Anne has a background in nursing, health promotion/education, governance and management – with clinical experience in disability, mental health and addictions.
She was chair of the Marlborough Safer Communities Group, a director for the Marlborough PHO and the Marlborough community representative on the NMDHB Community and Public Health Committee. She was also a ministerial appointment to the Alcohol Liquor Advisory Council from 2008-2012.
Anne’s iwi affiliations are Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama and Te Atiawa.
Corey Hebberd
Board Member
Read Mihi | Bio
Corey is the Chief Executive for Te Tauihu iwi Rangitāne o Wairau, a director at Utilities Disputes Limited and co-chair of Te Kotahi o Te Tauihu Trust. Corey has also previously chaired the Wellington division of the Cancer Society and sat on the Cancer Society national board. He is passionate about community development and wellbeing, and is an avid supporter of the kaupapa of Manu Ora.
Dr Sara Simmons and Dr Rachel Inder
Board Members
Read Mihi | Bio
Sara and Rachel sit on the governance board as representatives of Nuku Health Limited.
Manu Ora is a partnership between two charitable entities, Te Piki Oranga and Nuku Health. Nuku Health is owned by the practice’s two clinical directors, Sara and Rachel.