Our People

Our Vet Team

DR IAN SCHRAA
Senior Veterinarian & Owner of Rappaw
Qualified in 1985 with BVSc. (Massey)
Started at Rappaw in 1993
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Ian graduated from Massey University, in New Zealand, in 1986. He spent his first 3 years in rural practice in Patea, Taranaki. Ian then went to work in the England for 4 years. During his time there he moved from rural practice to working in companion animal practice. He also travelled extensively in Asia, the UK, Europe and Africa during the time overseas. In 1992 Ian returned to New Zealand to marry his wife Kay and settle in Wellington. Ian bought the Paremata Veterinary Hospital in 1993. He spent the next 12 years building it up from a single vet practice to a 3-vet practice. In 1995 Ian helped establish and set-up the Wellington After Hours Veterinary Clinic. He has been a board member twice since then. Ian purchased the Kapi-Mana Veterinary Hospital and Titahi Bay Veterinary Clinic in 2004. In 2007, together with the Paremata Veterinary Hospital, the three clinics were merged under the new name Rappaw Veterinary Care. Ian has worked on the New Zealand Veterinary Association Companion Animal Society committee and the Practice Standards committee. Ian has lived in Whitby since 1994 and Ian played football (but not very well) for the Western Suburbs Football Club for 14 years. He has coached junior teams since 2007. Ian has completed the Coast to Coast individual race three times, most recently in 2008 and 2009. Ian enjoys the New Zealand outdoors whether it be running, kayaking or skiing, as well as travelling to wonderful places around the world. At home he has one re-homed dog, Holly, and an ex-shelter cat, Harry.

DR PETER WHILEY
Head Veterinarian at the Paremata Clinic
Qualified in 1985 with BVSc. (Massey)
Started at Rappaw in 2003
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Peter graduated from Massey University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree. Peter started his career in mixed practice (pets and farm animals) in Waikato and then went on to spend 16 years in small animal practice in the United Kingdom. Peter joined this practice in 2003 after returning home to New Zealand with his family.

Outside of work Peter and his family are enjoying all the aspects of the great outdoors New Zealand has got to offer.

DR SCOTT MARTIN
Senior Veterinarian
Qualified in 1996 with BVSc. (Massey)
Started at Rappaw in 2008
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Scott joined the team here at Rappaw Veterinary Care in 2008 and has a keen interest in both companion animal medicine and imaging. He also manages Rappaw’s IT department. After completing his degree in 1996, Scott spent time as a companion animal vet in the Kapiti Coast before moving to the north-west of England. After returning to New Zealand in 2002 he spent 6 years working in Auckland, before moving back to Wellington with his family & joining Rappaw. Scott has a special interest in Radiology & Ultrasound and is currently studying for his Membership in Imaging with the Australian & New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS). He has 2 cats, Mo and Toby, who are both rescue cats and needed good caring homes.

DR RACHEL GRIFFITHS
Part-Time Veterinarian
Qualified in 1992 with BVSc. (Massey)
Started at Rappaw in 2001
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Rachel has worked part-time for this practice since 2001, and currently works at our Titahi Bay branch clinic of Rappaw Veterinary Care.

DR SAVITA SHARMA
Veterinarian
Qualified in 2005 with BVSc (Massey)
Started at Rappaw in 2019
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DR KATHLEEN
Veterinarian
Qualified in 2001 with BVSc (Massey)
Started at Rappaw in 2001
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DR SARAH-ANN KWEK
Veterinarian
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Our Vet Nurse Team

MICHELLE
Senior Veterinary Nurse Plimmerton
CVN (1992)
Started at Rappaw in 1993
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Michelle first started work at the Paremata clinic in 1993, shortly after Ian Schraa bought the practice. Michelle started as a part-time receptionist although she had a National Certificate in Animal Technology and Nursing. With this Michelle then became a part-time vet nurse, before eventually becoming full-time. In 2000 Michelle became our Head Veterinary Nurse at our Paremata clinic.

NAOMI LAMOND
Senior Registered Veterinary Technician
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Naomi is a Registered Veterinary Technician from Canada with over 30 years of experience. Her background includes working both in small animal practice and with Board Certified Veterinary Surgeons and Ophthalmologists in specialty practices. This has given her both extensive experience and passion in anaesthetics, surgery and pain management.

KATE BENNETT
Qualified Vet Nurse
Joined Rappaw 2015
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Kate joins the team after qualifying in Vet Nursing in Australia.

MIKE STEWART
Head Veterinary Nurse
Qualified CVN (2015)
joined Rappaw 2015
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Mike has been a vet nurse with Rappaw since qualifying at the end of 2015. His interests include animal cytology, diagnostic imaging, and surgery

CAITLIN HICKS
Qualified Vet Nurse
Started at Rappaw in 2018
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Cate joined the Rappaw team at the end of 2018 and loves working with such a great group of people. She received her vet nurse diploma in 2016 then had the opportunity to expand my skill set by running a rescue shelter for a year and a half before I joining Rappaw to focus on her nursing skills. She has a strong passion for dog training and behaviour, so in her spare time she is working towards a diploma in Canine Behaviour and Psychology. She has two Staffies (both adopted, rather nutty and the loves of my life!) and have fostered/bottle raised quite a variety of animals over the years.

CHANTEL NAUDE
Qualified Vet Nurse
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Im originally from South Africa and after coming to New Zealand I pursued my passion for helping animals and studied Veterinary Nursing. I started at Rappaw in 2018 after I completed my NZCAT at Ucol. I love all pet’s but especially dogs and puppies. I have a interest in socialisation, training and nutrition.

GARETH NICHOLAS
Qualified Vet Nurse
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Gareth became a nurse after learning about the profession while volunteering at the SPCA. He studied for his certificate at WelTec and did his work placements at Rappaw while studying. He has a Huntaway called Rico.

NICOLE TAIT
Qualified Vet Nurse
joined Rappaw 2021
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SARAH HARAN
Vet Nurse Assistant (training)
joined Rappaw 2021
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Hi, I’m Sarah, I love all animals big and small, but my favorite are exotics especially rabbits! I have a silver fox rabbit called Elle who lives in the house along with a beautiful ginger cat called Marmaduke. We also have chickens on our section too. In my spare time I enjoy patchwork, sewing and crochet, they help me to unwind at the end of the day, along with some chocolate! 😊

Our Client Services Team

SHARON BOURKE
Practice Co-ordinator
BSc (Waikato 2003)
Started at Rappaw in 2005
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Sharon joined the team at Rappaw in 2005 as a receptionist. Sharon is now the Client Services Leader and Practice Co-ordinator. Before joining Rappaw, Sharon completed a Bachelor of Sciences Degree majoring in Animal Behaviour at the University of Waikato. Sharon has a beautiful cat named Grub who she loves to pieces.

EMMA SCOTT
Practice Manager
Started at Rappaw in 2021
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Emma joined the Rappaw team in November 2021 after returning from the UK. Emma worked in the UK as a Veterinary Nurse and then Practice Manager of a busy Veterinary Hospital before deciding to return to her home country to raise her family. Emma qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 1999 and then completed her certificate in Veterinary Leadership and Managment. Emma has two cats named Florence and Floyd.

ANNE BENTON
Senior Client Services
Started at Rappaw in 2017
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Anne has been working for Rappaw since May 2017. Before working at Rappaw she worked in the Pharmacy Industry. She has two West Highland Terriers, Hugo and Charlie, and one black cat Max. I got into my role as I love greeting both animals and their owners. Most dogs love seeing me because they know I’m the soft touch with the treats on arrival, and I love forming a bond with them, and helping their owners get the best out of their pets. Anne

NIKKI ADAMS
Client Services
Started at Rappaw in 2002
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Nikki started working at Rappaw on the front desk at our Paremata clinic in 2001. She took two years off in 2009 to run a local kennels and cattery. Nikki previously worked in record shops, a bank and at Wellington Zoo. She has a keen interest in animal welfare and 80s music. Her favourite thing to do is go hunting the second hand record shops to extend her ever growing vinyl collection. Nikki currently has a rescue tabby named Mambo. She has had many pets over the years including 4 German shepherds.

ELAINE CLARKSON
Client Services
Started at Rappaw in 2009
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Elaine joined Rappaw Veterinary Care in 2009 and works part-time at our Paremata and Titahi Bay clinics.

JESS TOOHEY
Client Services
joined Rappaw 2021
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Jess has been working for Rappaw Paremata since March 2021. Before working at Rappaw she owned her own small pet services business doing pack walking, pet feeding, house sitting and aquarium services. Jess made the hard decision to close her business down after Covid, and was lucky enough to get a job that embodies everything that she loves – Helping people with their animals. She owns a boxer named Maximus, and a Sharpei x named Ollie, in her spare time you’ll find her out and about with her boys and enjoying time with family.

SANDRA EAGAR
Client Services
Started at Rappaw in 2018
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Sandra has a background in finance and HR, and after the sale of her business joined the CS team at Rappaw in April 2018. You will see her at different Rappaw Clinics as she cover shifts across most of our branches. She lives on a lifestyle block with horses, fish, chickens, a cat called Bailey and an ex guide dog Diesel. She loves her job and being surrounded by like minded people who love, and care for the well being of all animals .