Kaimai Vets Tauranga - Bethlehem

Meet The Team

Veterinarians ​

Arjan de Wilde | Director Veterinarian | DVM | Vet

​I opened Kaimai Vets in 2004 and haven't looked back since. You can generally find me out on farm and working with more of the large animals but on the odd occasion you'll see me in the clinic with the small animals . When I'm not working you can find me spending time with my wife Aukje who is also a Veterinarian and my 5 kids who keep me extremely busy.  

​Kirsty Wood | BVMS | Vet

​I moved over from Scotland and joined Kaimai Vets late 2017. I really enjoy living and working in NZ, even though it's a lot warmer than what I'm used to! In my spare time I enjoy multi-sport, and I am competing in Ironman and Coast to Coast this year.

Shrawan Bhandari | BVSC | MSC | PHD | PGDIPVCSC | Vet

Shrawan is passionate about his profession qualifying as a veterinarian in 2001. He has more than a decade of clinical veterinary experience across large and companion animal practice. He is also a trained research scientist and has published several high quality research papers in reputed international scientific journals. In addition to his BVSc degree and experience, Shrawan has undertaken several postgraduate courses relevant to small and large animal practice. He also has worked with Sheep as an animal model of human disease in his PhD project at Otago University between 2007 and 2012. He has undertaken an MSc degree in Animal Science (in the area of Reproduction and Fertility) at Massey University between 2004 and 2006. As a part of his Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Clinical Science (PGDipVCSc), Shrawan has undertaken courses in Small Animal Oncology and Anaesthesia at Massey University in 2013.

Veterinarian Nurse/Large Animal Veterinarian Technician

Jolene Taylor | NCAC | Vet Tech |  Office Assistant | Stock Coordinator

​I joined the team from the beginning back in 2004.  I handle clinical stock purchasing from Veterinary Supplies to Companion Animals food and accessories.  I have also completed a certificate in Companion Animal Care and can slot in where needed. Being born and breed in Matamata on my parent’s dairy farm has given me a good understanding of the dairy industry and stock sense. Which is helpful in assisting the vets on farm, from de horning calves to vaccinating stock.

Kristen O'Riley | NZCAT VNA | Vet Tech | Wellfarm Coordinator 

I was born in the north of England, grew up in south Wales ,then emigrated with my family to NZ as a teenager. We settled in a small rural community called Arohena, 40km from Te Awamutu. I grew up on a dairy farm which has lead to my love of anything to do with cows/calves/dogs etc.! My husband runs his own building business here in Matamata and together we have a 10year old daughter and two sons aged 8 and 3.5years. I have worked at Kaimai vets for almost 10years as a vet technician and clinic vet nurse which I qualified for via distance learning through Unitec in 2015. I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to have such a varied job in our mixed practice. Outside of work we love to go wakeboarding and mountain biking as a family, and for myself, I love the peace and satisfaction of swimming for my mental and physical well being.

 

Sarah Shaw | NZCAT VNA| Vet Nurse | Vet Tech 

I joined the Kaimai vets team early 2019 right after finishing my VNA. I started off doing mainly vet tech work and now love doing more small animal nursing, but still get excited when I can get out of the clinic and help the team in those busy periods. My fiancé and I moved to Ohaupo in 2020 to start our first share milking job, meaning my free time is spent either doing jobs on the farm or on the odd occasion escaping the farm to see family and friends.

Sapphire Sydney | NZCAT VNA | Vet Nurse | Marketing | Student Coordinator

I joined the Kaimai Vets team in July 2019. I am a qualified veterinary nurse assistant  and love being able to work with animals every day.
I grew up in town as a townie but enjoy getting out on the farm and doing calf dis-budding in the winter. I have a dog and two cats, I also take home most of our kittens to foster until they find homes, which keeps me super busy. In my free time you can catch me at music concerts & festivals with my pals or the beach. 

Tokasa Narara | NZCAT VNA | NZCAT RAT | Vet Tech

I joined Kaimai Vets in 2021 after finishing my studies as a Rural Animal Technician. I am a qualified vet nurse assistant as well. During my spare time I enjoy bush walks, going to the beach and spending time with my family and friends. 

Sonya Harnett | NZCAT DVN | Vet Nurse 

I joined the Kaimai Vets team halfway through 2021 while completing my Diploma in Vet nursing. I love all aspectsof small animal nursing and all the interesting cases I get to see. I live on a small lifestyle block on the lower Kaimai, where we have a small herd of cattle and sheep, also many pets of my own ranging from dogs/budgies/chooks and horses. When i'm not at work I enjoy, horse riding/wake boarding with my family or riding motorbikes with my boyfriend. 

Administration Staff

Delwyne McNeill | Practice Manager

I have been with Kaimai Vets since 2004 (Landmark Vets). Coming from a dairy farming, milking machine and stockfeed background, I have always enjoyed the rural way of life. I oversee the running of all the Kaimai Vets clinics, doing some technician and nurse work, and lots of paperwork. I enjoy netball and snow-skiing in the winter, and I am a supporter of the Chiefs rugby team. Water sports in the summer, spending time at the beach, and I have a passion for the V8 Supercars, which I follow religiously. I have two adult children, 3 cats, and two awesome grandchildren, which also keep me busy.

Debbie Blackstock | Office Assistant

I joined Kaimai Vets in November 2019 as Delwyne and Jo's sidekick. A complete change to hairdressing! My husband and I share-milk 1200 cows on 3 farms. We have 3 teenage children who with the farms keep us very busy. Working at Kaimai Vets gives me a break from the farms and allows me to feel human. I don't get much spare time but when I do I like fishing, bush walk , reading and relaxing with family and friends.  

 

Sally Paris | NZCAT RAT | VET TECH | Office Assistant

I joined Kaimai Vets in 2017, having previously worked at other vet clinics as, a Vet Nurse and then a Large animal Technician. I enjoy the variety during the day from the Te Aroha and Matamata clinics. When I'm not working I can be found cycling the Rail Trails, Hiking and relaxing at the beach.
 

Saskia Price | Office Assistant

I joined the Kaimai Vets at their Tauranga branch in 2017 after having a break from the veterinary industry for a few years. During this time I ran a homestay for dogs on my property.
I live on a 10 acre lifestyle block with my husband and all that goes on a lifestyle block. In my spare time time I breed Golden Retrievers and British Shorthair cats which I enjoy showing. I enjoy spending time with my husband, son and his young family, walking, felting and spinning the fleece from their alpacas.

Catherine McKee | Office Assistant

​I  joined the Kaimai Vets team in 2017 working in our Tauranga clinic.  I have been working in the veterinary industry for most of the past 25 years and enjoys interacting with clients and going the extra mile to assist them.
I live with a variety of two legged and four legged animals including my husband and three children, dogs, cats, chickens and guinea pigs. I enjoy going walking with family, friends and of course my two dogs.