Kelly Davison

Director

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

Dip Physiotherapy, PGD HSc (Manips)

Kelly is an experienced physiotherapist and one of the founders of Hands On Rehabilitation. She has an extensive background in hand therapy, which started at Middlemore Hospital and developed into private practice, teaching, supervising and has also been involved in governance roles with Hand Therapy New Zealand from 2016 - 2020.

Together, with co-founder Tania, Kelly brings together a team of like-minded, committed hand therapy professionals who pride themselves on providing an expert, individualised and caring service to their hand therapy clients.

Tania Stephenson

Director

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

Dip Physiotherapy, PGD HSc (Manips), MHSC

Tania is a co-founder of Hands On Rehabilitation and a physiotherapist. Her varied and dynamic background includes work in both the public hospital and private practice (here and abroad), as well as extensive post graduate study in manipulative therapy and Western acupuncture. She gained her Masters of Health Science in 2002. Tania’s commitment to hand therapy is highlighted in her continual training and supervision of Hands On rehabilitation staff, she loves to see therapists learn and evolve in their practice. She also has a strong focus on developing leadership and organising education opportunities that benefit the entire hand therapy profession.

Outside of work Tania keeps busy with her young family and still enjoys the camaraderie and competitiveness of hockey.

David Beattie

Shorecare Clinic Team Leader

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

Dip Physiotherapy, PGD HSc (Manips), PGC (Rehab)

David joined Hands On Rehab in 2017 and divides his time between our Akoranga Drive branch and at our Shorecare practice.
Prior to Hands On Rehab David gained expertise in acute sports injury management as the physiotherapist for the North Harbour NPC team, Blues Rugby and Yamaha Rugby in Japan. Recently he has been the physiotherapist for the Tuatara Basketball NBL team.
David enjoys assessing and managing acute upper limb injuries and brings his side line and sport medicine experience to help his clients return to the field, court, turf or life safely and quickly.

Larissa Fisher

Albany Clinic Team Leader

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy)

Larissa currently leads our Albany clinic. While she started her career in physiotherapy private practice, concentrating on sports, Larissa became fascinated with rehabilitation of the hand and upper limb after receiving treatment for her own injuries.

She now works for Hands On Rehab, where her strong focus on sporting conditions continues, with involvement in hockey, netball, adventure racing and touch. Larissa also is one of the representatives for the Auckland Regional Hand Therapy Special Interest Group. Outside of work she runs a busy household who are also happily involved in sports!

Sarah Te Whare

Drury Clinic Team Leader

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

Grad Dip Physiotherapy

Sarah is Hands On Rehab’s team leader for our Drury clinic. Her physiotherapy career began in London, but it wasn’t until she travelled to New Zealand that she was introduced to hand therapy, in a role at Waitakere Hospital.

Sarah continues to be passionate about hand therapy and loves the challenge and creativity involved in designing and making customised splints, particularly for multi- trauma patients. She has also served as secretary for HTNZ and been involved with examining on the Hand and Upper Limb Training programme at AUT.

When not at work Sarah is kept busy with her family. She enjoys running, cycling and swimming whenever she gets the chance!

Tony Faulkner

Manukau Clinic Team Leader & Papakura Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy)

Tony is a senior hand therapist and has recently established the Hands On Rehab clinic in Manukau. For the 10 years prior to this he led the team at the Akoranga clinic – one of our biggest and busiest hubs. Tony comes from a physiotherapy background. He began his career in hand therapy at Middlemore Hospital and the Superclinic, before travelling abroad. He gained valuable experience at several prestigious London hospitals and then further honed his skills in a senior role at the St Andrews Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery. Tony returned to New Zealand and joined Hands On in 2006.

Kirsty Neal

Surgical Services Team Leader Akoranga Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), BSc (Sport Sci), PGD (Teach)

Kirsty has been a hand therapist for 13 years, joining Hands On in 2010. For the last 7 years she has led the Hands On post operative and acute hand therapy care working alongside some of our local, respected Hand and Upper limb Orthopaedic Surgeons.
As a senior therapist with Hands On Kirsty has also held roles in clinic management and continues to assist with the training and mentoring of associate hand therapists.
Her strong, musculoskeletal physiotherapy background, qualifications in Sports and Exercise Science and a personal interest in continued health and fitness makes her perfectly placed to deliver acute hand therapy services from Shorecare complimenting the existing Accident and Emergency services at Smales Farm.

Brierley McCarten

Red Beach Clinic Team Leader

Occupational Therapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Occupational Therapy), PGC (Rehab), PGC (Western Acupuncture)

Brierley has led the team at our Red Beach clinic since 2022. She brings a wealth of experience that began in her early Occupational Therapy years at Middlemore Hospital. She went on to spend six years in London, working in varied hospital and private roles that further developed her skills. Upon return to New Zealand, and Middlemore, she took on the role of Section Head Therapist of Occupational and Physiotherapy for Burns, Plastics and Paediatrics. Since then she has also completed post graduate study in Western Acupuncture. Brierley joined Hands On Rehab in 2011 and continues to be passionate about treating traumatic injuries, as well as a wide variety of other hand and upper limb conditions. Additional to her role at Hands On, she is available for ergonomic workplace assessments. Brierley loves to figure out what makes her patients tick to get the most gains in rehab.

Outside of work Brierley is busy with her young family, pottering in the garden and keeping fit and healthy.

Jelena Nasmith

Manager of People & Culture

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), MHSc.

Jelena previously lead the Westgate Clinic team but moved into a non-clinical role as Practice Manager in 2022. She continues to lead our admin team and managing our people and culture across all sites. Jelena looks after our business HR, development, health and wellness. Jelena's background started out as a physiotherapist in musculoskeletal private practice and became a registered Hand Therapist in 2016. She has been working for Hands On since 2014. Jelena is a mum/taxi driver to three girls, loves the outdoors and especially enjoys mountain biking, travel and spending time with friends and family.

Lindsay Egbers

Westgate Clinic Team Leader

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), PGC (Rehab)

Having previously worked from our Albany and Akoranga clinics, Lindsay became the Team Leader of our Westgate clinic in 2022. He began his physiotherapy career at Waikato Hospital, and he went on to gain private practice experience also before choosing to follow his interest in hand therapy. He completed post graduate training in hand therapy and became a registered hand therapist before leaving New Zealand in 2015 to travel and work in the UK. He returned in 2017 and joined the Hands On Rehab team shortly after.  Outside of work Lindsay enjoys spending time with his young family, cycling, fishing and getting outdoors.

Rachel Atkinson

Whangarei Clinic Team Leader

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

Dip Physiotherapy

Originally from Whangarei, Rachel graduated from Auckland Institute of Technology in 1987. Following three years of broad physiotherapy experience both at Waikato hospital and in the UK, she returned home and was employed at Middlemore hospital. It was here she was introduced to the exciting specialty of Burns and Plastics rehabilitation. This included hand therapy; Rachel spent over a year in this outpatient role enjoying the art of splint making, educating patients and assisting them achieve their goals of returning to work, home tasks,sport and leisure.

Rachel gained Registered Hand Therapist status in 2001. She later served two years on the HTNZ executive committee as secretary and has also held a sales & education role in the hand therapy field.

Rachel opened Drury’s Moving Hands in 2006 and then joined the Hands On Rehabilitation group in 2018.

Rachel especially enjoys treating multi trauma, those with complex pain and problem solving to make alternative splints.

Rachel has returned to her home town of Whangarei and is enjoying the Sunshine and lifestyle that Northland offers.

Aaron Bank

Albany Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy)

Aaron studied physiotherapy at AUT university in Auckland graduating in 2018. After graduating Aaron has worked in general musculoskeletal physiotherapy for 3 years seeing a wide range of sporting and work-related injuries and postoperative conditions before deciding to specialize in hand and upper limb injuries.  Aaron started as an associate hand therapist in March 2022, joining the Albany Hands On team in July 2022. Outside of work Aaron is a keen skier and golfer and looking for cheaper hobbies.

Alesha Brokenshire

Akoranga Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), PG Cert (Rehab)

Alesha is part of our Akoranga team. She trained as a physiotherapist at AUT and worked in musculoskeletal private practice, where she gained a wide range of clinical experience and knowledge. Alesha joined the Hands On team in early 2022 to pursue her interest in hand therapy and focus on hand and upper limb injuries and rehabilitation.

Outside of work she enjoys spending time with friends and family and living an active lifestyle.

Alisha McKeown

Westgate Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), PGC (Acupuncture)

Alisha joined the Hands On Westgate team in 2019. Prior to this she worked as a physio in musculoskeletal private practice where she gained valuable experience with various sports teams including Beko netball, rugby league and NZ touch rugby. Alisha now splits her time between Hands On Rehab and private practice as she works towards her hand therapy registration.

In her spare time, Alisha enjoys time outdoors with her husband, and she is a keen scuba diver, having recently gained her PADI open water dive certificate.

Asher Crouch

Manukau & Papakura Clinic

Physiotherapist and Assoc. Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy)

Asher has trained as a Physiotherapist at AUT and worked in musculoskeletal private practice seeing a wide range of injuries and conditions. He developed an interest in hand & upper limb therapy and decided to focus on that area. He joined Hands On in Manukau in July 2022 and is currently working towards his Hand Therapy Registration.

Asher likes to play football and tennis in his spare time, and you’ll find him away camping or skiing with his family or friends whenever he gets the opportunity.

Becky Masters

Drury Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered. Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), PGD HSc (Western Acupuncture)

Becky works at our Drury clinic, and joined Hands On in 2018. Her interest in hand therapy was piqued early as the result of a research project while still in physiotherapy training. After several years working in the musculoskeletal field post graduating, she returned to study to focus on the hand and upper limb. Becky enjoys treating a wide range of injuries, as she continues to gain experience and knowledge within the hand therapy field. When not at work, Becky enjoys playing netball, fishing and going to the gym.

Becky Sheehy

Red Beach Clinic

Occupational Therapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BSc (Hons) Curr Occ; PGDip HSc (Rehab)

Becky is originally from Ireland where she trained as an occupational therapist and worked primarily in the area of spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Becky became a registered hand therapist in 2021 and was working at Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau prior to joining Hands On in  January 2023.

Becky is passionate about post graduate study and research and is currently working towards a Masters of Health Science. She also works part time as a Hand and Upper Limb Research Coordinator at Middlemore Hospital. In her spare time Becky enjoys the gym and spending time outdoors. 

Bhavisha Patal

Akoranga & Westgate Clinics

Occupational Therapist and Associate Hand Therapist BHSc (Occupational Therapy)

Having trained as an occupational therapist at AUT, Bhavisha worked at Christchurch Hospital for almost five years seeing a range of conditions on the medical and surgical wards. She moved to Auckland and due to my interest in orthopaedics and the upper limb, started her hand therapy journey in 2022. Hands On rehab welcomed Bhavisha to the Akoranga team in April 2024. She is also currently working towards her postgraduate certificate in health science and hand therapy registration. Outside of work Bhavisha enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling and exercising.

Chantal Choromanski

Westgate Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), PGC (Rehab)

Chantal works at Hands On in Akoranga Drive. Prior to joining Hands On, she gained experience in musculoskeletal private practice and then a rotational physiotherapy programme at Middlemore Hospital, where she covered various areas of rehabilitation for 5 years. During this time Chantal developed a passion for hand therapy and she went on to work a further two years in the hand therapy, burns and plastics departments, while also working part time in a private hand therapy practice. She has completed post graduate studies in the hand and upper limb as well as rehabilitation. Chantal joined us in 2016 to follow her passion for hand and upper limb rehabilitation. As well as English, Chantal can also speak Spanish.

Courtney Wilkinson

Westgate & Shorecare Smales Farm

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BPhty

Courtney joined Hands On Rehab in January 2023, working at our Westgate clinic. She has been working in the Musculoskeletal and Hand Therapy fields since graduating from Otago University in 2013.
She has worked pitch-side for a number of rugby teams and prior to joining the Hands On team, Courtney worked overseas in London for five years as well as in the Waikato.
In her spare time, you will find Courtney at the beach surfing, baking or playing netball.

Donna Hickmott

Albany Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

Dip Physiotherapy, Dip MT, PGD (Manips), MHPrac (Hons)

Donna graduated from Auckland Institute of Technology in 1980 and has an impressive knowledge in the musculoskeletal field, gained from working in private practice and teaching at Auckland University of Technology’s School of Physiotherapy. Donna developed an interest in hand therapy while working at AUT and completed papers in the hand and upper limb and Western acupuncture, as part of her clinical Masters.

Erin Goad

Albany Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered. Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), PGdip (Sports Management)

Erin works at our Albany clinic. Erin joined us in 2021 part time and also currently works as a Physiotherapist at a private musculoskeletal clinic. She has a strong interest and background in sports physiotherapy mainly focusing on field hockey. Erin is currently training towards her Hand Therapy registration.

In her spare time, you’ll find Erin outside when she is not in the clinic.  She enjoys playing hockey where she plays competitively. Erin also enjoys, hiking, snowboarding and fishing.

Felicity Stevens

Drury & Papakura Clinics

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy)

Felicity splits her time between our Albany & Drury clinics.  She has a strong musculoskeletal physiotherapy background with a keen interest in sports physiotherapy. Prior to joining Hands On in 2018, she worked in private practice  and with several rugby and AFL teams. She is also trained in Pilates and PINC and STEEL cancer rehabilitation. Following her own injury, Felicity developed an interest in hand therapy.

Harry Long

Akoranga Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy)

Harry is based at our Akoranga clinic. Prior to joining us in 2020, he worked as a physiotherapist in the musculoskeletal private practice setting where he gained experience with rugby teams, return to work rehabilitation and pain management. Harry speaks Mandarin and outside of his work enjoys playing badminton, riding his bike and training / exercising with his Border Collie.

Janine Manga

Akoranga Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), PGC (Rehab), BSc, BA

Janine is one of our Akoranga team. She comes from a strong neurological physiotherapy background, and has worked in neuro rehab in both the hospital setting and in specialist neuro rehab clinics. Janine has also enjoyed a stint living in Chicago with her family. She has completed post graduate study in rehabilitation. Janine joined the Hands On team in 2019.

Joanne Covacich

Albany Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

Dip. Physiotherapy, PGD HSc (Rehab)

Jo works part-time for our clinic in Albany. While gaining a strong physiotherapy base and initial hand therapy experience in New Zealand, Jo spent extensive time working in the UK where she gained further expertise in a specialist burns and plastics hospital as well as private practice. She enjoyed travelling and cycling throughout Europe before returning to New Zealand in 2003. She joined Hands On at our original clinic in Forrest Hill, and has continued as a valued member of our team since. At home Jo has four children.

Jodee Parker

Akoranga Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), PGD (Musculo), PGC (Rehab)

Jodee is part of the Hands On team at Akoranga. She is a physiotherapist with over 20 years experience. Before entering the hand therapy field, she gained extensive skills working predominantly in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, both here and abroad. During this time she worked with many sports teams from club to national level. After working alongside registered hand therapists for many years, she finally took the leap to pursue her interest in the specialty and joined Hands On in 2017. Outside of work, Jodee keeps busy with her two school-age children and playing competitive hockey. She loves the outdoors and is a recent convert to paddle-boarding.

Johanna Baumann

Akoranga Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

B.AppSc (Physiotherapy), PGD (Rehab)

Johanna is based at our Akoranga clinic. She has worked in hand therapy for the past ten years, but prior to this developed a strong physiotherapy base working as a musculoskeletal physiotherapist and pilates instructor in private practices and hospitals in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Johanna initially joined Hands On in 2010, then relocated to Sydney where she worked in a hospital-based hand unit. She returned to New Zealand, and happily to Hands On, in 2019. She continues to have a keen interest in post-operative splinting and rehabilitation of hand injuries.

Outside of work, Johanna enjoys exploring the New Zealand coastline, giving old houses a new lease on life, and attempting to keep up with her active boys in and out of the water. She is also fluent in German.

Kate Osborne

Red Beach Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physio), PGCert (Rehab)

Kate graduated from Auckland University of Technology in 2000 with a Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy). Since then she has worked in many physiotherapy roles in New Zealand and the UK, specialising in orthopaedics and paediatrics.

Combining her diverse physiotherapy knowledge and love of writing she has also written for numerous sports/health publications and websites. Always keen for new challenges and ongoing learning, Kate joined the Hibiscus Coast team in 2018

Katie Northfield

Red Beach Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Hons), PGC (Acupuncture), MHSc

Katie is part of the Hands On team at the Hibiscus Coast clinic. She completed her physiotherapy training in the UK, and gained wide general physio experience for several years before focussing on hand therapy. She travelled to New Zealand in 2007, and after initially working in a well-established, musculoskeletal, private practice on the Coast, she joined Hands On in 2008. Since then she has completed not only her post-graduate hand and upper limb training, but also gained a Masters in Health rehabilitation and acupuncture. Outside of work Katie is involved in netball, swimming, cycling and sailing, and also keeps busy with her young family.

Karine Dellow

Red Beach clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), PGD (Sport & Exercise)

Karine is a member of our Red Beach team. She has a strong physiotherapy background in exercise and sports performance/sports rehab, particularly rugby. This has seen her work extensively with local and regional rugby teams. She has also undertaken the mentoring and supervision of undergraduate physiotherapy students. Since moving into the field of hand therapy she has been able to utilise her skills to manage many sporting upper limb injuries as well a wide range of other conditions. Karine lives locally and enjoys spending time with her young family at their rural property.

Khushali Shah

Manukau & Westgate Clinics

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy)

Khushali graduated from AUT in 2016. Prior to joining the Hands On team in 2020, Khushali worked at a private Physiotherapy clinic for 3 years. While working with a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries, she developed an interest in hand and upper limb therapy. This inspired her to pursue further study in the area. Outside of work, Khushali enjoys spending time with her family and friends, while also exploring her creative side with watercolour painting. Khushali is fluent in both Hindi & Gujarati.

Kirsty Cocks

Albany & Shorecare Greville Road

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

Kirsty joined the Albany team in May 2022.

Kirsty studied physiotherapy at Coventry University in the UK and graduated in 2013. Kirsty has worked in a variety of hospital rotations including musculoskeletal practice.

Kirsty has more recently worked full time in plastics hand trauma in the south west of England and then in a split role in a private clinic setting before relocating to New Zealand. Outside of work Kirsty enjoys being outdoors whether that be running, hiking, skiing or water sports depending on the season.

Mark Lanigan

Albany & Shorecare Smales Farm

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), PGDip Health Science, MHPrac (Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy)

Mark is part of our Albany team. He has spent the majority of his physiotherapy career working in musculoskeletal private practice. Mark has had stints in Australia, the United Kingdom and back home in Wanaka as a ski field triage physio. He also spent 10 years in Warkworth running his own private clinic, before choosing to focus on hand and upper limb injuries and joining Hands On in 2019. In this time Mark has also completed his Masters in Health Science. Outside of work Mark enjoys staying active with his young family, surfing, playing in the occasional Masters water polo tournament and a bit of DIY for good measure.

Niamh Bothwell

Red Beach Clinic

Physiotherapist and Assoc. Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy)

Niamh is part of the team at our Westgate clinic. Growing up Niamh experienced numerous hand injuries which frequently landed her in Hands On. Inspired by her hand therapists, Niamh’s love for hand therapy grew and she joined us soon after graduating from AUT in  January 2023 to pursue her dream of being a hand therapist herself. 

In her spare time, Niamh enjoys going for walks, hanging out with family and friends, and eating out at new restaurants. 

Nicole Liesching

Manukau & Papakura Clinics

Physiotherapist and Assoc. Hand Therapist

BHs (Physiotherapy)

Nicole joined the Hands-On team in April 2023, and she splits her time between the Manukau and Papakura clinics. Nicole’s physiotherapy career started as a Rotational Physiotherapist at Auckland Hospital.  Gaining experience working with a range of conditions, such as Respiratory, Orthopaedics, General Medicine as well as working in the Emergency Department. 

Nicole has also worked in a busy private practice, gaining valuable experience in musculoskeletal conditions, as well as side-line management for several sports teams including NZ Touch, and Counties Manukau Rugby League.

However, it was during her fourth year of physio school, Nicole quickly realised her passion for treating hand injuries and has been working towards this career change since she graduated. In her free time Nicole spending time with her family and friends.  She also fuels her creative side by recently learning how to sew.

Susan Fromm

Whangarei Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BPHTy, MHprac (Rehab)

Susan graduated Physiotherapy in 1996 from Otago University.  Her initial career started at Waikato Hospital as a rotational Physio including 1 year of hands, burns and plastics.  Susan then spent 6 years in the Middle East in a role of Hospital Physio and migrated back to Hand Therapy whilst there.

Susan returned to NZ in 2007 completing the HAUL training at AUT and finishing her Masters in 2014 whilst working as a Hand Therapist in Auckland.  Susan then moved to the Waikato to build a new home and continue Hand Therapy in private practice.

The Winter less North had been calling her for some years (since her introduction to scuba diving in the early 80”s), and she finally made it North, joining the Hands On Team officially in February 2024.

So, when she is not in the clinic helping people get the best result for themselves, she can be found under water taking photos of fish, gardening or even doing some D.I.Y.

Tom Mason

Albany Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), PGDip (Musculoskeletal)

Tom joined our Albany clinic in 2021.  He has been working for the past 9 years in musculoskeletal private practice, in that time completing his post-graduate musculoskeletal diploma.  Tom has enjoyed his work in private practice and in particular his work with football teams, but is excited to have made the move into hand therapy to further develop his skill-set.  Outside of the football season Tom is a keen runner and enjoys getting out and exploring the kiwi backyard.