Highfield Timaru clinic

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. 

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.

Meg graduated from Massey University in 1993 and has since worked in mixed animal practices in NZ and the UK. Meg has a vast amount of experience in all areas of Veterinary medicine and is a huge asset to our team. In her ‘spare time’, Meg juggles three busy school aged children and countless volunteer roles in our community
“ I am particularly interested in the health and well-being of aging companion animals.”

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…)

Zani graduated in 2008 from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and worked as a mixed animal veterinarian in Rustenburg. In 2017 she and her family moved to Christchurch, where she worked as a companion animal vet. In 2021 she joined our vet team in Highfield, Timaru and is enjoying getting to know our clients and the Timaru community. Zani has a busy household with two young daughters, two cats and ten chickens.

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.

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.

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!!

Ange is “getting back on the horse” and is picking up her veterinary nursing skills again after a bit of time off looking after the kids. Ange is primarily a surgery nurse but also spends time on reception duties.

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.

India joined our Highfield team in 2023 after qualifying with a Diploma of Veterinary Nursing. Currently she is studying part time around her work hours to complete her Bachelors of Veterinary Nursing. India is a dog lover at heart, with her own dog Alpha the dachshund, but at work she loves being able to help all types of companion animals. India can usually be found in surgery monitoring anesthesia or taking care of hospitalized patients.

While she completes her final year studying a Diploma of Veterinary Nursing, Mel is working in our Highfield clinic as and all-rounder – helping with nursing support, reception and administration.

In her free time, Mel enjoys long walks and adventures with her dog Rosie, who is a big part of her inspiration for becoming a veterinary nurse.

Sam completed a diploma in Veterinary Nursing at SIT in Invercargill in November 2009 and has been with us since February 2010, becoming Clinic manager of our Highfield clinic in 2022.
​Sam is a skilled and caring surgical nurse and also has a wealth of knowledge in all areas of animal care.
​In her spare time, Sam is an amazing singer and a little bit crazy about horses.

Brooke originally joined Aorangi Vets in 2020 as part of the Geraldine customer service team. She now works part time in the Highfield clinic where she enjoys her busy front of house role, being able to help people and their pets. Outside of work Brooke is kept busy in her role as a mum to her two young kids (and two cats!).  

Jo originally hails from South Africa where she trained as a vet nurse and also worked in the agricultural industry and ran her own business. After moving to NZ around seven years ago, she started working for Aorangi Vets in 2019. Jo’s role is mainly in administration, she runs our worm tablet mail out service, sends all vaccine reminders, and assists our accounts team.

Jude is a wealth of knowledge in our Highfield practice with over 20 years of experience in the vet industry. You have likely met Jude at reception in the clinic where she enjoys helping people and animals, but she also does velveting administration and large animal merchandising, customer service and coordination behind the scenes.

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.