Highfield Staff
Peter Crawford BVSc
Veterinarian Pete joined Aorangi Vets in 2017, bringing many years of experience in all areas of Veterinary Medicine. Since Graduating from Massey in 2003, he has spent time as a mixed animal vet in Oamaru, Australia and the UK. In 2008 he returned to Timaru, working as a Farm animal veterinarian. His main areas of interest and expertise are in Dairy, Sheep, Beef and Deer farming. Pete enjoys farm consultancy and drawing up detailed animal health plans for sheep beef and deer farmers. On days off he enjoys spending time with his young family. He has a farm in Cannington where he grazes sheep and cattle. |

Meg Catherwood BVSc
Veterinarian
Meg graduated from Massey University in 1993 and has since worked in mixed animal practices in NZ and the UK. She joined Aorangi Vets in 1998 and has been with us ever since. Meg has a vast amount of experience in all areas of Veterinary medicine and is a huge asset to our team. She has a special interest in caring for the welfare of elderly pets. In her 'spare time', Meg juggles three busy school aged children and countless volunteer roles in our community.
Veterinarian
Meg graduated from Massey University in 1993 and has since worked in mixed animal practices in NZ and the UK. She joined Aorangi Vets in 1998 and has been with us ever since. Meg has a vast amount of experience in all areas of Veterinary medicine and is a huge asset to our team. She has a special interest in caring for the welfare of elderly pets. In her 'spare time', Meg juggles three busy school aged children and countless volunteer roles in our community.

Anna Shaw VN
Clinic manager
Anna has been a valued member of our team for many years. Initially as a nurse and receptionist and now as our Clinic Manager.
Anna draws on her years of experience to help you with all of your inquiries and animal health needs.
Clinic manager
Anna has been a valued member of our team for many years. Initially as a nurse and receptionist and now as our Clinic Manager.
Anna draws on her years of experience to help you with all of your inquiries and animal health needs.

Kate Peck VN
Vet Nurse / Receptionist and Client Relations Manager
Kate is a senior nurse at the Highfield clinic. Qualified as a veterinary nurse, Kate is largely responsible for reception and client liaison, but can turn her hand to any job in the clinic.
Vet Nurse / Receptionist and Client Relations Manager
Kate is a senior nurse at the Highfield clinic. Qualified as a veterinary nurse, Kate is largely responsible for reception and client liaison, but can turn her hand to any job in the clinic.

Sam De Vries VN
Veterinary Nurse – Highfield
Sam completed a diploma in Veterinary Nursing at SIT in Invercargill in November 2009 and has been with us since February 2010
Sam is a skilled surgical nurse and also enjoys time in reception where she has a wealth of knowledge in all areas of animal care.
In her spare time, Sam enjoys singing and horse riding.
Veterinary Nurse – Highfield
Sam completed a diploma in Veterinary Nursing at SIT in Invercargill in November 2009 and has been with us since February 2010
Sam is a skilled surgical nurse and also enjoys time in reception where she has a wealth of knowledge in all areas of animal care.
In her spare time, Sam enjoys singing and horse riding.

Paul Johnson DVM
Veterinarian
Paul graduated from Glasgow Vet School in 1987 and, following a Mountaineering trip to Peru, worked in a Companion Animal practice in North East England. He then spent 2 years in Inverness doing mixed practice followed by 12 years in South West Scotland and the Shetland Islands.
In 2002 Paul moved to Ashburton and spent 2.5 years in predominantly dairy practice before moving to Geraldine where he worked for Aorangi vets from 2005 to 2007. Paul worked for MPI and in Farm Animal practice for 12 years before rejoining Aorangi in late 2019. We are delighted to have him back in a Companion Animal role in Highfield.
Paul has four boys ranging from 13 to 23 years old and two cairn terriers who live under the illusion of thinking they terrify anything that comes near the property.
In his spare time he likes to get out in the hills on foot or ski, play, coach and referee football, swim and play the piano (but not at the same time...)
Veterinarian
Paul graduated from Glasgow Vet School in 1987 and, following a Mountaineering trip to Peru, worked in a Companion Animal practice in North East England. He then spent 2 years in Inverness doing mixed practice followed by 12 years in South West Scotland and the Shetland Islands.
In 2002 Paul moved to Ashburton and spent 2.5 years in predominantly dairy practice before moving to Geraldine where he worked for Aorangi vets from 2005 to 2007. Paul worked for MPI and in Farm Animal practice for 12 years before rejoining Aorangi in late 2019. We are delighted to have him back in a Companion Animal role in Highfield.
Paul has four boys ranging from 13 to 23 years old and two cairn terriers who live under the illusion of thinking they terrify anything that comes near the property.
In his spare time he likes to get out in the hills on foot or ski, play, coach and referee football, swim and play the piano (but not at the same time...)

Emma Bridgman BVSc
Veterinarian
Emma has joined Aorangi Vets as a new graduate, having completed her veterinary studies at Massey University in 2019. Her main interests are small animals, and she has a particular interest in rabbits – having two of her own, Louie and Jasmine. Emma is also looking forward to doing Veterinary work on farms.
She is originally from Dunedin and is enjoying being back down south, after five years in Palmerston North. In her spare time she enjoys playing netball, skiing and learning the guitar.
Veterinarian
Emma has joined Aorangi Vets as a new graduate, having completed her veterinary studies at Massey University in 2019. Her main interests are small animals, and she has a particular interest in rabbits – having two of her own, Louie and Jasmine. Emma is also looking forward to doing Veterinary work on farms.
She is originally from Dunedin and is enjoying being back down south, after five years in Palmerston North. In her spare time she enjoys playing netball, skiing and learning the guitar.

Richard Sides BVSc
Veterinarian
Richard graduated from Massey University in 2005. He started his career in a Mixed practice in Hawkes Bay, followed by 3 years in Wanaka, which was dominated by deer farm work, sheep and beef, and plenty of emergency small-animal challenges. Richard worked for two years as The Sheep and Beef Technical Advisor for Boehringer Ingelheim, before joining Aorangi Vets, based in Highfield. He’s keen to continue a mixture of clinical work, focussing on canine/feline surgery and sheep and beef productivity. Richard is a member of the ANZCVS in Sheep medicine, and will complete the Massey Master of Veterinary Medicine in companion animal surgery in 2021.
Prior to being a vet, Richard was a physiotherapist, and has also spent quite a bit of time house-building. Richard, and Wife Belinda are both keen multisporters and skiers, with their sons Tom and Jack hot on their heels!
Veterinarian
Richard graduated from Massey University in 2005. He started his career in a Mixed practice in Hawkes Bay, followed by 3 years in Wanaka, which was dominated by deer farm work, sheep and beef, and plenty of emergency small-animal challenges. Richard worked for two years as The Sheep and Beef Technical Advisor for Boehringer Ingelheim, before joining Aorangi Vets, based in Highfield. He’s keen to continue a mixture of clinical work, focussing on canine/feline surgery and sheep and beef productivity. Richard is a member of the ANZCVS in Sheep medicine, and will complete the Massey Master of Veterinary Medicine in companion animal surgery in 2021.
Prior to being a vet, Richard was a physiotherapist, and has also spent quite a bit of time house-building. Richard, and Wife Belinda are both keen multisporters and skiers, with their sons Tom and Jack hot on their heels!

Gunhild Gregor VS
Veterinarian
Gunhild has been an important part of our Highfield team for over 30 years. She earned her Veterinary Degree in Germany and moved to New Zealand after visiting here for a working holiday.
She is a vastly experienced Small Animal Veterinarian, has a Master’s degree for Veterinary Medicine (Companion Animal) from Massey University and is also a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, with over 20 years of experience. Gundhild's children have all flown the coop and are distributed throughout New Zealand and the world and she is now working for Aorangi on a part term basis.
Veterinarian
Gunhild has been an important part of our Highfield team for over 30 years. She earned her Veterinary Degree in Germany and moved to New Zealand after visiting here for a working holiday.
She is a vastly experienced Small Animal Veterinarian, has a Master’s degree for Veterinary Medicine (Companion Animal) from Massey University and is also a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, with over 20 years of experience. Gundhild's children have all flown the coop and are distributed throughout New Zealand and the world and she is now working for Aorangi on a part term basis.

Danielle Weeks BVTech
Veterinary Nurse
Danielle completed a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology at Massey University and initially worked in a mixed animal practice. She decided she wanted to have a go at living the big city life so moved up to Wellington where she worked for two years at the SPCA as an animal welfare inspector. Now back home in Timaru, Danielle is an important part of our Vet Nursing team. She is passionate about pain relief and local anaesthesia and, when not looking after your pets, a very keen wakeboarder and skier.
Veterinary Nurse
Danielle completed a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology at Massey University and initially worked in a mixed animal practice. She decided she wanted to have a go at living the big city life so moved up to Wellington where she worked for two years at the SPCA as an animal welfare inspector. Now back home in Timaru, Danielle is an important part of our Vet Nursing team. She is passionate about pain relief and local anaesthesia and, when not looking after your pets, a very keen wakeboarder and skier.

Melissa Halley
Trainee VN
Melissa has a Bachelor of Science in Zoology which she gained through Otago University. She is now currently working and studying towards her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing through the Otago Polytechnic. Melissa is originally a Dunedin girl but is now living here in Timaru learning the ropes and all there is to know about being a surgical nurse here at our Highfield clinic. She enjoys playing all types of sport in her spare time.
Trainee VN
Melissa has a Bachelor of Science in Zoology which she gained through Otago University. She is now currently working and studying towards her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing through the Otago Polytechnic. Melissa is originally a Dunedin girl but is now living here in Timaru learning the ropes and all there is to know about being a surgical nurse here at our Highfield clinic. She enjoys playing all types of sport in her spare time.

Nicola Yeo
Trainee VN
After many years overseas, Nicola has returned home to NZ, to pursue her diploma in veterinary nursing.
Nicola originally comes from a farming background and is now enjoying learning the ropes and all there is to know about being a surgical nurse here at our Highfield clinic.
She enjoys the outdoors in her spare time, especially hiking and mountain biking.
Trainee VN
After many years overseas, Nicola has returned home to NZ, to pursue her diploma in veterinary nursing.
Nicola originally comes from a farming background and is now enjoying learning the ropes and all there is to know about being a surgical nurse here at our Highfield clinic.
She enjoys the outdoors in her spare time, especially hiking and mountain biking.

Muz
You wouldn't know by looking but Muz is a Poodle cross.
Muz spends most workdays either asleep in the office at Highfield, hoovering up food in the smoko room or stealing chew bones from reception. He even has his own company uniform. If you haven't met Muz yet I am sure he will make himself known next time you visit us.
You wouldn't know by looking but Muz is a Poodle cross.
Muz spends most workdays either asleep in the office at Highfield, hoovering up food in the smoko room or stealing chew bones from reception. He even has his own company uniform. If you haven't met Muz yet I am sure he will make himself known next time you visit us.