Geraldine Clinic

Aaron grew up on a Sheep and Beef farm in Rangitata.  He graduated from Massey University in 2001. Since then, he has worked in intensive mixed animal practice in New Zealand (North Otago and Waikato) and the U.K. Aaron spent two years traveling before returning to Geraldine in 2007. Aaron enjoys all aspects of his veterinary work. He is very interested in helping farmers to improve on farm efficiency and profitability through monitoring programmes to help improve animal health and performance. These programmes identify areas on farm which help to improve reproductive performance, reduce mastitis incidence etc. thereby increasing farm revenue. Aaron also has a strong interest in orthopaedic surgery in cats and dogs. 

He’s got three hard case little girls who love hunting, fishing, and riding their bikes, just like their dad. 

Nathan comes from a mixed farm in Nova Scotia, Canada but has now settled in New Zealand. Initially graduating with an Animal Science degree and then gaining vet qualifications he worked in a progressive dairy practice in central Canada before coming to Canterbury in 2012, working in Ashburton. He is passionate about anything farming, with interests in preventative medicine, nutrition, reproduction, and improving farm profitability.  He has gained membership to the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Dairy Medicine. Away from work, he tries to get outside as much as possible, spending time hiking, hunting, and fishing. Although he watches the odd rugby game, his sport is ice hockey and from time to time he will be following the action from afar.

Neroli graduated from Massey in 2012, and since then worked as a vet in Ashburton, before coming to Aorangi. She has a keen interest in dairy production medicine and companion animal medicine and surgery. She is currently working towards her Masters in veterinary medicine by distance learning through Massey. Outside of work you will mostly find her in the hills trail running, mountain biking, road biking, yarning or occasionally skiing if and when dairy vetting allows! 

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 children and partner. He has a farm in Cannington where he grazes sheep and cattle. 

Sally joined us as a new graduate in 2009 and has been part of the team ever since. During that time Sally has gained a lot of experience and respect as a top-notch vet, both in production animal work and companion animals.  She has a special interest in dairy production and is an In-Calf and Healthy Hoof advisor. Sally enjoys getting outdoors with family and friends and exploring New Zealand. 

Catherine grew up on a lifestyle block in Dunedin. After graduating from Massey with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 2023, Catherine is excited to be back in the South Island. She enjoys all aspects of veterinary work, whether that is seeing companion animals in the clinic or getting out on farm. As well as working with animals, Catherine also loves to paint them in her spare time. She also enjoys exploring the outdoors through hiking, cycling and skiing

Hilary graduated from Massey in 2000 and worked in Mid Canterbury, mainly with cattle and deer. She spent three years travelling, working in the UK as a vet to fund wild adventures in obscure locations. Unfortunately one of those adventures resulted in her falling under the spell of Aaron McCullough and they returned to NZ to grow up. They both worked in dairy practice in the Waikato for a while before moving to Geraldine. 15 years later they are still here, with three kids and a small block of land with a petting zoo on it Hilary works two days a week, based out of our Geraldine clinic.

Lauren grew up on various vineyards in rural Hawkes Bay and Marlborough.

After graduating from Massey end of last year with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science Lauren made the move back to South Island. Lauren is a mixed animal vet who loves both working with small animals as well as getting out on farm when possible.

In her spare time Lauren enjoys spending time working on her garden, going on walks and getting involved in social sports.  

Rachael graduated from Massey with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree at the end of 2019 and has happily returned to the Canterbury region, which is where she was born and raised. Rachael is a mixed animal vet and loves getting out and about on farm as well as spending time in clinic with the smaller animals. Outside of vet she fills her spare time with mountain biking, skiing and riding her horse.

Robyn had an idyllic childhood, growing up in a pub in Roxburgh – also home of the famous ‘Jimmy’s pie’.
She helped to fund her way through Vet School by milking cows, graduating in 2016. After working in a mixed practice in Ashburton for two and a half years, she joined the Aorangi vet team. Robyn enjoys working with Companion animals and Dairy Cattle, with a special interest in pathology and cytology – i.e she’s our laboratory nerd. When not at work she is a keen power lifter and self-confessed cat lover.

Sarah graduated from Massey university in 2003, and worked in a large mixed/dairy practise in Southland for 7 years, before her passion for horses took her into equine practice in Ashburton for a few years. Sarah was born and raised near Orari, and with her husband and two young sons has recently moved back to the area to be involved in the family farming business. She is a highly skilled vet across all areas of our business and a patient and enthusiastic mentor to our new staff. When she is not at the clinic, she is busy looking after her two small boys, helping her husband on the farm, and when she gets time show jumping her own horses.

Trudi is originally off a small block in the Waikato but relocated to South Canterbury after graduating as a veterinarian in 2022.

Trudi loves working in the companion animal clinic, providing one-on-one patient care to any furry friend, or working dog.

She also takes any opportunity to get out on farm as she has a keen interest in sheep, beef, deer, and horses.

On her days off, Trudi can be found exploring the outdoors in adventures with her dog, tending her garden or spending time with family and friends.

Fiona has been with Aorangi Vets since 1987 so has seen a lot of change and growth over the years with the company.  Starting as a vet nurse Fiona moved into accounts and from there is now in a management role overseeing all the clinics.   In her spare time Fiona enjoys horse riding and getting outdoors.

Jill has worked in the Veterinary industry for many years, joined Aorangi Vets in 2021 and took on the role of Clinic Manager in 2022. She has a vast amount of knowledge about animal health products and is in charge of all of the inwards goods at our Geraldine clinic – she spends much of her morning in the goods shed with a beanie on!

Maree works is our accounts manager and is based at our Highfield office. This job is a complete change from her previous role as a phlebotomist (blood sucker) for a medical laboratory but is she is enjoying the challenge of book keeping and the fact that people dont shake anymore when they see her!!

Amy graduated in 2002 with a diploma in Veterinary Technology from St. Lawrence College in Canada. She has been living on and off in NZ for the past 10 years. She has one dog, one cat and one rooster. In her spare time she loves going tramping, biking, baking and going to the movies.

Carol is a long-standing member of Aorangi Vets who enjoys all aspects of the job. (Do you think she will mind if we say she has been with us for over 40 years?!) After all this time, she is still working on the art of organising the vets. During her weekends Carol enjoys hunting and fishing – in contrast to saving animals. Basketball, golf, gardening and running a cattery keep her busy. Its a wonder she has time for work!

Jess joined our team in 2021 and graduated with a Diploma of Veterinary Nursing in 2023.  She’s an integral part of our Geraldine Nursing team and you’ll see her smiling face on reception also.  Jess has two black cats called Blackberry and Void and loves reading, sewing and walking in her spare time.

Megan joined our team in the spring of 2021 as a Vet Nurse and Vet Tech.  Originally from a sheep and beef farm in Waimate, she did a short stint on a dairy farm before heading to Dunedin to study vet nursing and drink beer.  She put her new skills into practice working as a vet nurse and vet tech back in her hometown, before moving to a sheep and beef farm in Mt Somers.  When she’s not at work Megan is often found helping her partner out on the farm.

April is originally from North Canterbury, and after spending time exploring different working industries, she headed to Massey University graduating with a Diploma in Science and Technology focused on agriculture. 

April has stock handling experience from work in dairy farming, calf rearing, and showing beef cattle, pigs, and sheep as well as yearling sales prep work on a Thoroughbred stud farm.

In her spare time, she enjoys time with her spoilt Persian cat, exploring new places, following the rodeo circuit, and playing Netball, and Ice Hockey.

In 2020, we were delighted to have Fleur join us as a key member of our Vet Technician Team.  She has a wealth of training and experience in this field including; a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology from Massey University,  18 months as a Large Animal Technician in Austrailia and 7 years working in the same role in New Zealand.

When she’s not at work Fleur spends her time biking, skiing,  attempting to garden or helping on her partner’s farm.

Jane joined us in 2022 and is our Stock officer in Geraldine.  Her role involves attending to all inwards goods, running farm deliveries and keeping our office and grounds spick and span.  Jane also has the very important role of providing morning tea on Fridays, which we would be lost without.  Jane competed her vet nursing diploma at Wanganui Vet services in 2005 which included placements at the SPCA, a piggery and a local groomers.  This has given her a well rounded view of the vet industry and set her up well for her role with AVS.

When she’s not at work Jane can be found in her garden, on the beach or up the ski field.  She loves to make the most of exploring our wonderful area.

Petrina grew up in the Otago region and moved to South Canterbury in 2007. In 2018, she gained a National Certificate in Veterinary Nursing at Otago Polytechnic and in 2021 she joined our team at Aorangi Vets.

She enjoys working with our rural services team and is currently studying the Rural Animal Technician course through Otago Polytechnic.

When she’s not working she enjoys spending time with her family and fur babies and riding off into the sunset on her motorbike.

Marcelle joined our team in 2021 in an administration role, based in our Geraldine clinic. Marcelle has skills in administration and reception and also remarkable powers enabling her to interpret rural veterinarians hand writing.