MEET THE TEAM

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.

Dr Rachel Inder

Mātanga Rata / GP

MBChB (Otago 1995), DCH (Distinction), FRNZCGP

Tēnā koutou,

Ko Pōrangahau te maunga, Ko Rotoiti te roto, Ko Ngāti Pākēha te iwi, Nō Waiharakeke ahau. Ko Rachel Inder tōku ingoa.

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 teenage 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.

Rachel Inder

Dr Sara Simmons

Mātanga Rata / GP

MBChB, DCH, DHSc – Palliative Care (Distinction), FRNZCGP

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.

Sara Simmons

Dr Georgina Walton

Mātanga Rata / GP

MBBS, CEM, FRNZCGP

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.

Georgina Walton

Dr Mary McWatters

Mātanga Rata / GP

MBChB, DCH, FRNZCGP

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.

Mary McWatters

Tania Gregory

Tapuhi Arahanga / Clinical Nurse Leader
Registered Nurse - Diploma in Comprehensive Nursing

Kia ora koutou,

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.

Tania Gregory

Ann McAslan

Tapuhi Hauora / Nurse

Registered Nurse - Bachelor of Comprehensive Nursing

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 14 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

Registered Nurse - Bachelor of Comprehensive Nursing

Kia ora koutou,

I’m Nicola, and I have recently joined the Manu Ora whānau as a Practice Nurse following on from 13 previous years at District Nursing, 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 children who are now entering the teenage years.

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 have joined 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.

Anna Young

Kaiwhakahaere / Manager

Tēnā koutou,

I arrived in Waiharakeke from England with my whānau (husband Steve and two daughters) 16 years ago. We consider ourselves extremely lucky to call Aotearoa home, with its freedoms, open spaces and friendly faces.

I am passionate about supporting the health of others. I trained as a physiotherapist in 1988 before slowly transitioning into health management and have held many rewarding roles in Wairau including CAMHS manager, GP Practice Manager and Faster Cancer Treatment at the DHB.

Management positions have allowed me to ensure ethical and culturally inclusive practice on a larger scale and I will strive to make Manu Ora a place where you will feel welcomed, supported and strengthened whoever you are. My door is open, please feel free to say hello.

Noho ora mai, Anna.

Anna Young

Angela Love

Kaiwhakatau Manuhiri / Receptionist

Tēnā koutou,

I am the proud grandmother of 2 beautiful girls who visit us often from the West Coast. My iwi is Ngāpuhi, and I am lucky to have been born right here in NZ, where I am learning te Reo Māori while farming in Marlborough.

I am passionate about helping people and have done so in my past careers of retail, teaching, and hospitality.

Meeting people and helping them to feel comfortable and important

is a pleasure to me and I am looking forward to bringing my skills to Manu Ora. You will find me at the front desk where your privacy and comfort are my main goal.

Noho ora mai, Angela.

Angela Love

Tara Scott

Kaiwhakatau Manuhiri / Receptionist

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 Sativa taku tamāhine

Ko Tara toku ingoa

I’m Tara, I was born & breed in Wairau, most of my childhood was spent exploring our luscious backyards from the moana to maunga and enjoying whānau time.

I will be at the front desk of Manu Ora helping you all feel welcomed and at ease when you visit.

He aha te mea nui o te ao?

He tāngata! He tāngata! He tāngata!

Ngā mihi nui,

Tara.

Tara Scott

Marama Matthews

Kaitautoko Hapori / Health Coach

Tautoro te Maunga

Kereru te Wai

Ngātokimatawhaorua te Waka

Morewa te Hapū

Ngā Puhi te Iwi

Nō Ōtautahi ahau, engari, Kei Wairau toku kāinga noho ināianei

Ko Marama Matthews toku ingoa

Ko au te Kaitautoko Hapori ō Te Piki Oranga rāua ko Manu Ora

Kia Ora Koutou!

My name is Marama Matthews and I am a Maori Community Support Kaimahi – Kaitautoko Hapori / Health Coach for Te Piki Oranga. 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 have 3 children – Georgia – my 24-year-old daughter, and two sons -Ezekiel who is 20 & Ronan who is 14 - with my partner of 26 years, Jonathon Manunui. We have been living in Wairau for three years now after making the move from the frosty southern town of Middlemarch, Otago where I worked as a Shearing Gang cook, a School Office Administrator and then as an Itinerary and Depo Administrator on the Otago Central Rail Trail. Prior to our southern adventure, we lived in Australia for almost 10 years.

I have been working in Social Services for a very short period of only 18 months but am thoroughly enjoying working in this environment – 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 - all while continuously learning as I go.

I am grateful for the support and opportunity to be working as a Te Piki Oranga Kaimahi and thoroughly looking forward to my journey ahead with Manu Ora.

Ngā Mihi,

Marama.