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About Kensington Health

Your Whangārei Family Doctors

Our History

Kensington Health, originally known as Primecare, was established as a Whangārei family doctors’ practice in April 1988. Our first clinic was opened by then Health Minister Helen Clark. Dr Vivienne Arkinstall was the first general practitioner at the time, followed shortly by Dr Dave Bawden and Dr Melissa Gilbert-Smith, who not only reimagined Primecare into the Kensington Health that we have today, but continue to be a pivotal part of our team.

Kensington Health changed its name from Primecare in 2018 and moved into the newly established Kensington Health Hub building of August 2020. We have continued to grow, expanding into an additional adjacent space in early 2023 where we can offer an increased range of providers and services to our patients.

Our caring and highly skilled staff can provide a full range of general practice consultations. You will find us in the Kensington Health Hub building on 8 Kensington Avenue and we are open Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm. We look forward to welcoming you as part of our whānau.

He aha te mea nui o te ao?
What is the most important thing in the world?
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.

Meet our team

Our Directors

Our GPs

Dr Beth Dennie

Dr Melody Curle

Dr Maud Maltha

Dr Melissa Gilbert

Locum

Dr Mikayla Mckeague

GP Remote Support

Our Nurse Practitioners

Leanne Faull

Nurse Practitioner

Holly Frood

Nurse Practitioner

Kiel Harrison

Nurse Practitioner Intern and Nurse Prescriber

Our Extended Care Paramedic

Kate Dent

Our Nursing & Healthcare Assistant Team

Toyah Olson

Nurse Prescriber

Carolyn Jameson

Registered Nurse

Ashleigh Young

Registered Nurse

Jade Stevenson

Registered Nurse

Judy Knox

Registered Nurse

Ruth Shortland

Registered Nurse

Sophie Fournier

Registered Nurse

Melissa Armstrong

Registered Nurse

Karen Yovich

Healthcare Assistant

Dana Shaw

Healthcare Assistant

Our Extended Team

Joline Zwart

Health Improvement Practitioner

Our Admin Team

Shakaina Hoskin

Annette Woodman

Jess Bacon

Linda Elson

Sara Metcalfe

Our Management Team

Darren Rowbotham

General Manager

Jess Hows

Clinical Lead

Sian Dawber

Practice Coordinator