Our Team

Our team of doctors, nurses and support staff are highly experienced. They will do their best to make you feel safe and supported throughout your healthcare journey.

Dr Keith Holmes

General Practitioner

I am Dr Keith. I graduated in 1978 and gained the Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 1981, followed by the Diploma in Sport Medicine at the London School of Medicine in 1984. I started working in General Practice in 1986, and I have been lucky to witness and be a part of a massive improvement in the quality and breadth of General Practice since then.

My aim has always been to provide accessible, quality primary care that is affordable. I have practised in South Auckland because there is a stronger need there for accessible and equitable care.

When not at work, I enjoy spending my time at the golf course or tramping all around Aotearoa.

Dr Dean Mackay

General Practitioner

Dean is one of our senior General Practitioners and is also one of the business partners of Papakura East Med. He studied at Auckland University and recently became a member of the New Zealand Skin Cancer Doctor Society.

Dean’s professional goal is to remain working in general practice until the age of 70, whilst maintaining a work/life balance.

Dean is a keen mountain biker and also enjoys playing golf, fly fishing, snow skiing and wake boarding, in his spare time.

Dr Primla Khar

General Practitioner

Meet Dr Primla Khar FRNZCGP. Primla earned her Diploma of Paediatrics at the University of Auckland, and her Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) at the University of Jammu.  

Primla also works as a medical educator for Royal New Zealand College of General Practice and has special interests in cultural and ethnic wellbeing, women and youth empowerment and as a community advocate. Primla speaks English, Hindi, Punjabi and Kashmiri.

In between all of her work and community commitments, Primla enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends.

Dr Sarah Holmes

General Practitioner

I’m Sarah. I work as a GP at Papakura East Med. I’ve been working here since December 2020 and I love it. We have such a great team, lots of support and lots of laughs. I grew up nearby in Karaka and have always wanted to work as a GP at Papakura East Medical; I’m the daughter of Dr Holmes Senior, Keith.

I studied initially in Dunedin at Otago University then at the University of Wollongong in Australia. I have now worked in three countries as a doctor, which has given me a great breadth of experience – in London, UK; Nowra, Wollongong and Sydney, Australia; and all-over New Zealand.

I love working in general practice for the wide variety of working experiences I have, the interesting people I meet; I’m very passionate about preventative health so general practice is a great place to work at this.

Quality time spent with family and friends is so important to me. Together we enjoy good food and wine and travelling; in winter I love to get away skiing or snowboarding.

Shelly Collins

Physician Associate

Shelly is a Physician Associate (PA-C), from Oklahoma, America. We welcomed Shelly to the Papakura East Med team in early 2021.  Since then, she has also taken on the role as President of the New Zealand Physician Associate Society, where she is advocating for more PA-Cs in New Zealand to help support our declining GP workforce.

Shelly studied at the University of Oklahoma and her professional goals are to advance the PA-C profession in New Zealand and help fill in the gaps in providing timely patient care.

Her interests outside of work include hiking and op-shopping around Aotearoa.

Lauren Hennessey

Physician Associate

Lauren is a UK trained Physician Associate (PA-C) with 6 years experience working in emergency and general medicine within the National Health Service, England.  

Lauren is a compassionate and dedicated PA who finds great joy in working with patients. With a deep sense of empathy and understanding, Lauren strives to provide the highest level of care and support to each individual she encounters.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Lauren leads an active lifestyle, indulging in activities such as climbing, running, and football. Her passion for exploration has taken her on numerous adventures around the world, living and immersing herself in different cultures along the way.

Samuel Wood

Physician Associate

Sam is a UK trained Physician Associate and joined the Papakura East Med team in March 2024. He has worked as a Physician Associate for 5 years and completed his studies at the University of Surrey.

Sam has a special interest in muscular-skeletal medicine and has completed a medical acupuncture and electro acupuncture course allowing him to treat myofascial pain, chronic pain and migraine/tension headaches.

Sam’s hobbies include, running, fitness, reading and Rugby.

Korrinna Walker-Burns

Nurse, RN Prescriber in Community Health

Ko Whiria toko maunga
Ko Ngāpuhi toko iwi
Ko kohewhata toku marae
No Tāmaki Makaurau ahau
Ko Joyce toku whanau
Ko Korrinna Burns toku ingoa

Tēnā koe PEMC whānau, I’m Korrinna, one of the Registered Nurses at Papakura East Medical Centre. I hail from Papakura and I trained at Manukau Institute of Technology, and I joined Papakura East Med in 2019.

I have used my training to become a Community Nurse Prescriber, LARC inserter, independent vaccinator, smear taker, diagnostic spirometry nurse and just all-around general nursing awesomeness. The goal is to one day be a Nurse Practitioner, to help improve health outcomes for Māori whaiora.

Outside of work you’re most likely to find me hanging out with my children and partner, baking or sewing. If you see me in clinic, feel free to mihi in Te Reo – I love to learn new kupu! Aroha nui whanau.

Toni Austin

Registered Nurse

Tena Koe!

My name’s Toni, I’m one of the five nurses that make up the awesome nursing team here at Papakura East Medical Centre. I’ve been a nurse for almost nine years now, having gained my Nursing Degree at the University of Auckland. I worked as a surgical ward nurse first at Middlemore then at Ormiston Hospital before I made the switch to practice nursing three years ago, joining the team here at PEMC. I have a special interest in wound care, and one day I hope to also become a nurse prescriber.

I grew up in Howick but now reside in Pukekohe with my husband and two young kids. When I’m not at work you may spot me out and about in Pukekohe with my family or walking my two golden retrievers. I enjoy playing hockey and am also a part of the 4WD scene where my family competes in the National Series.

Rochelle Brown

Registered Nurse

Rochelle has been a registered nurse for 10 years and joined the Papakura East Med family in early 2022. She completed her nursing studies in Melbourne, Australia where she worked at the Alfred Hospital in a number of departments including a surgical ward (specialising in Burns, Plastics, ENT and Vascular) and the Emergency Department. On her return to New Zealand, she worked in the Plastic Surgery Operating Theatre at Middlemore Hospital before then moving to General Practice.

She is passionate about improving health in the community and making a difference with her patients. Next year she is returning to university to complete her post graduate studies, with the final goal of becoming a nurse practitioner.

She loves fast cars, music, the outdoors and spending time with her family and church friends.

Kate Afoa

Registered Nurse

Ko wai au
Ko Taupiri te maunga
Ko Waikato te awa
Ko Tanui te waka
Ko Ngāti Maniapoto te iwi
Ko Tokikapu te marae
Ko Kate toku ingoa

Tēnā koe, Talofa lava. I am the newest edition to PEMC. I reside in South Auckland and completed my Bachelor of NursingMāori Te Tohu Paetahi Tikanga Rangatira aa Tapuhi, at Manukau Institute of Technology. I was honored to join the team in November 2023. I am passionate about Mental Health and can engage confidently with Tangata whai ora / Tagata ma’i.  

As a child it was an ambition of mine to become a nurse so I could serve the community. Growing up in South Auckland I have experienced and seen barriers that have been placed before Māori and the Pasifika community. It is a priority of mine to advocate for everyone who has been allocated into my care. I provide cultural safety and apply the He Korowai Oranga model into my practice. I make it an effort of mine to have you leave PEMC with at least a laugh or smile on your face.

Outside of work you will find I am an active member of the Otara Samoan Metotisi Church. I enjoy my weekends and base them around my Whānau.

Ka mahi au, ka inoi au, ka moe au, ka mahi ano.

Rawene Marsden-Matenga

New Grad Nurse

Ko Te Aupōuri, Tainui, Ngāti Whātua, me Te Arawa ​ōku iwi.

Tēnā Koe,  

My name is Rawene, I am passionate about reducing health inequities and believe that everybody should have an opportunity to achieve optimal health. I have a genuine desire to give back to my community through integration of competent clinical skills and demonstrating the virtues of aroha, manaakitanga, compassion and empathy.  

Born and raised in South Auckland, I began my journey in Hauora in 2020, graduated with a level 4 in health and well-being. In 2021 I started a bachelor’s degree in nursing Māori at Manukau Institute of technology, graduated in 2023. I was honored to join the amazing team of registered nurses at PEMC in 2024. My goal is to become a nurse practitioner and help improve health outcomes for our clients and their whanau.  

Outside of work, I love doing fun activities with my partner and tamariki, hiking, reading, and travelling the globe.

Lauryl Hartnett

Practice Manager

Lauryl is the Practice Manager and has been part of the team since 2011, when she started off as a receptionist. She enjoys the versatility of her role within the practice and can sometimes be seen out at reception or helping the nursing team.

In her spare time, Lauryl enjoys spending time with her two boys that attend boarding school, tending her gardening, trying to revive plants she forgot to water, or going to concerts with mates.

Slavica Misur

Health Improvement Practitioner

Slavica is a qualified Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP) and a registered social worker. Her role as a HIP at PEMC aims to help patients work through stressful and challenging times while maintaining or improving their well-being. 

She is passionate about empowering people and supporting them on their holistic well-being journey by focusing on all dimensions of health: Tinana (physical), Hinengaro (mental and emotional), Whanānau (social), and Wairua (spiritual).

Slavica aims to help patients find their inner resilience, so they can in turn empower those who depend on them. 

Slavica is originally from former Yugoslavia.  

Outside her professional life, Slavica enjoys spending time with her family, yoga, and connecting with nature by going for walks. 

Katrina Jackson

Receptionist

Hi, I am Katrina and I am the lead receptionist at Papakura East Med. Along with being lead receptionist, I am also the fire warden for the practice and look after our fire drill procedures. I have worked with the team since 2012, when the practice was a lot smaller. I have seen the practice grow into a popular well-regarded clinic.

I enjoy helping our patients and have built up some warm relationships with many of them over the years. I love our team and find it a fun and friendly environment. I am from Papakura, now living in Pukekohe with my 2 children. I enjoy dining out, going to concerts and spending time with family and friends.

Brittany Thackham

Healthcare Assistant / Receptionist

Brittany has been working at Papakura East Med since 2019. The best part of her role is meeting new patients and problem solving the tricky requests. Brittany is also the Health and Safety Co-ordinator for the practice which takes up a lot of her time. She has a passion for health and safety and finds both roles exciting and rewarding. She has lived in Papakura most of her life and has two children that keep her busy outside of work.

Shirley Uele-Hipa

Receptionist

My name is Shirley, and I am one of the receptionists at Papakura East Medical Centre. As a newer member of the team, I am thoroughly enjoying getting to know our patients and colleagues. I take great pride in ensuring that every patient feels cared for and valued and enjoy building warm, positive relationships with everyone who visits our clinic.

Outside of work, I cherish time with my two young children. We enjoy outdoor activities and are actively involved in our church community.

Angeline White

Receptionist

My name is Angeline, and I am one of the four receptionists at Papakura East Medical Centre.

I have been a medical receptionist in the local area for several years and take pride in helping people feel welcome and supported when they visit.

Papakura East Medical Centre is a vibrant and dynamic practice with a fantastic team dedicated to providing excellent care. I thoroughly enjoy getting to know our patients and look forward to continuing to match faces with names.

Outside of work I am either watching rugby games, growing roses, spending time with my 2 children (when they are home from overseas!), or enjoying bush walks or concerts with my husband.

Book an appointment online or give us a call.

We are currently accepting online bookings for appointments through The Doctors app and online portal. Use the link below to book a consult online. If you'd rather, you can always call our friendly reception staff, too.

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