Meet Our Team of Highly Trained Professionals

General Practitioners

Dr Emily McNicholas - Director (BHB, MBChB, FRNZCGP)
I am a GP from Opotiki. I have been a doctor for ten years since graduating from the University of Auckland in 2006. I chose to work here in Kawerau as I have always wanted to work in the EBOP, close to home, especially in an area of need. I am proud to be one of the few Maori GP's working in rural New Zealand and I am passionate about the positive impact our clinic will have on the health of the Kawerau community. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, and fishing down the coast at Waihau Bay. 










Dr Indira Edwards (MB BS, FRNZCGP)
We are excited to have Dr Indira Edwards join our team (she previously worked at Total Health Doctors in Whakatane). Dr Edwards has a wealth of experience within General Practice, in particular women's health and paediatrics, where she works in the Paediatric Department at Whakatane Hospital. We look forward to utilising her expertise to further improve our services. 
Dr Edwards will be working at KMC Monday - Wednesday.










Dr Nasir Khan (MBBS)
I was born in the north of Afghanistan and my parents had to seek refuge in Pakistan during Afghan-Russia war when I was only two years old. I grew up in afghan refugee camp in Peshawar Pakistan as we spent good 18 years in the camp.
I graduated from Bahria University Islamabad in December 2007, worked in different Public hospitals in Pakistan to gain experience in medical and surgical fields.
I landed in New Zealand as a visitor in early 2013 and simply loved this Beautiful and Peaceful country. I feel very proud in offering my services in this area of need in EBOP as a part of team of  Kawerau medical centre.
I have special interest in the areas of Geriatrics, neurology and cardiology and have a good working experience in the said fields from hospitals where I worked.
I have three daughters and a son from ages nine to four and half, My family arrived in New Zealand in October 2015. We are in love with New Zealand, my wife and kids are enjoying learning English, walking , tracking, swimming and cycling in our free time.



Dr Paul Anderson (MBChB, FRACS, FRCS (Edin), PhD MA/ Dip Tch)
Dr Paul Anderson is a consultant upper gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary surgeon. He grew up in Opotiki and Rotorua before advancing his medical career in the United States and Australia. He also is the founder and ex-chairman of a not-for-profit organisation, Specialists Without Borders www.specialistswithoutborders.org.au which takes high quality medical education into developing countries. He has developed a free specialist review clinic  to assist those patients who have difficult medical/surgical problems and who need support. He is currently chairman of the Emergency Assessment Fund , which has been established in the Eastern Bay of Plenty , to assist those with urgent medical problems, who are financially disadvantaged and where their GPs think the wait in the public system might prejudice their treatment outcomes.







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Mr Nigel Giles (MB, FRCS, FRACS (Orth)
Mr Giles is a Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Bay Of Plenty District Health Board. Mr Giles is a General Orthopaedic Surgeon, and also specialises in Upper Limb and Hand surgery.

Mr Giles has fortnightly clinics and offers a comprehensive consultation and pre/post-operative service which is FREE to all ACC patients.

Registered Nurses

Marja O'Connor
I have been in Whakatane since 1979. While having my children I worked in my husband's business and was a  part-time nurse. I have had several different nursing/nurse management roles and thoroughly enjoy being a practice nurse. Other than being a Registered Nurse, my qualifications include a Diploma is Business Management, Post Graduate Nursing Certificate in Chronic Care Management and I have completed the Level 8 Diabetes paper.  I get great job satisfaction ensuring everyone's health monitoring is up to date and ensuring there is improvement in their health.




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Louise Burt
Louise is from Whakatane and has over 30yrs experience as in Community and Theatre Nursing. Louise works part-time at Eastbay Surgical Services and prior to joining KMC, she was the head nurse at Phoenix Health Centre. Louise has three children and in her spare time she enjoys farming, fishing and gardening and has her own florist business called 'Lulu's Blooms'.













​Aroha Ruha
Kia Ora, my name is Aroha Ruha - Hiraka and I am from Ngati Awa, Tuhoe and Te Arawa. I recently completed my Bachelors of Health Sciences Maori Nursing at Awanuiarangi, Whakatane. I have been fully emerged in kohanga reo, kura kaupapa and wharekura, te reo Maori being my first language, so if you prefer or feel more comfortable speaking in Te Reo while your visiting the clinic, I am here.  I am very fortunate to work at Kawerau Medical Centre helping to improve our peoples health. My hobbies are Kapa Haka, playing sports and hanging out with whanau and friends, I also hope to further my studies in health at the end of my 3 years at Awanuiarangi.
 
I look forward to meeting you all!

Healthcare Assistants

Nerina Hermanson
I am 35 years old and I'm the twin sister of Dr Emily Hermanson. I was born and raised in Opotiki. Before starting here at the Kawerau Medical Centre I was working at Fonterra in Edgecumbe as Specification Management Coordinator where we looked after the exports of Dairy Products around New Zealand and the world.  I am the proud mum to my son, and I really enjoy working in Kawerau, its the friendly people that we have met while working here that has made this transition a success. In my spare time I enjoy fishing especially game fishing and hunting.










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Kiriwai Peters
Kia Ora, my name is Kiriwai Peters, I am 18yrs old and I've lived in Kawerau all my life. I also come from the beautiful East Coast (Te Whanau a Apanui). I previously worked at Kawerau Pharmacy as the after school girl. I have a huge passion for all things health and beauty and I love the outdoors.

Practice Manager

​Hayley Hiha
Kia ora my name is Hayley, I am 28 years old and have lived in Kawerau most of my life. Prior to working here I was a Teacher Aide at Kawerau Putauaki School, which I really enjoyed. I am a mother of three beautiful children so when I am not at work you will usually find me with them relaxing or out and about exploring. I am loving my new work environment and look forward to the future. 

Administration

​Kahlise Hata
Kia Ora, my name is Kahlise Hata, I am 21 years of age and have been brought up in Kawerau. I'm very lucky to be a part of such an amazing work place that is here to improve health in the community of Kawerau. I enjoy being outdoors and my hobbies include sports and socialising with my friends and family.

​Medical Receptionist

Brooke Mansell
Kia ora my name's Brooke. I am originally from Ngaitai (Torere) and Ngati Awa (Te Teko). I'm 25 and a proud mother of two. I have lived in Kawerau most of my life and am very pleased and honoured to be part of an amazing new team and to be able to interact with our local people on a daily basis is a bonus. I was a retail assistant at our local supermarket for just over a year and a half before I was given the opportunity to join this very welcoming and happy team. I am glad to be able to help our community in a way that benefits them and their health as well. I love the outdoors too so if I'm not working I'm enjoying every other moment I can with my family and friends.