About us
Steve is originally from the UK and trained at Nottingham University. Steve joined us in 2010 following GP training in Nelson. Steve has developed a special interest in rheumatology and has worked alongside Dr David Porter in supporting people with rheumatological conditions. Steve also has an interest in bowel health and undertakes sigmoidoscopies.
Qualifications: MBChB, FRNZCGP
Dr Jo Knight – Partner (Not accepting new patients)
Jo graduated from Otago Medical School in 2004 and took over his father’s practice in October 2009. Jo’s interests lie in sports medicine, especially muskoskeletal conditions, as well as all aspects of family medicine. Jo has been very involved with the Tasman Makos and likes to be involved in other community sporting events such as Fight for Victory. Jo undertakes a variety of minor surgery. Jo is married with 3 young children who keep him busy when he is not at work or playing Frisbee. Qualifications: BCom, MBChB, FRNZCGP
Dr Stephen Neas – Partner
Stephen joined the Tahunanui Medical Centre in 1997 and is interested in all aspects of medicine, Stephen has worked in Palliative Care and is the teacher for GP Registrars in the practice. Stephen is undertaking a post grad certificate in general practice and recently completed a Pain Management paper. Outside of work Stephen loves to spend time listening to his vinyl record collection, swimming, watching tennis and eclectic films. Qualifications: MBChB, Dip Ob’s, FRNZCGP
Frith started working at Tahunanui medical Centre on a long-term basis in November 2016 after completing her GP registration practice here. Prior to this she has worked on the West Coast and Queenstown with the rural medicine training programme and travelled widely, including a period working in Nepal. She is interested in travel medicine, women’s and children’s health, and encouraging a holistic approach to improving wellbeing. Outside of work Frith is kept busy with two young children and enjoys tramping, outdoor adventures, trying new activities, reading, mountain biking and skiing. Qualification: MBChB, FRNZCGP
Dr Laura Judge – Partner (on leave returning September 2025)
Laura graduated from Otago University, and has trained and worked in various locations around NZ. Laura is new to Tahunanui Medical in 2021, and she looks forward to getting to know the local community. Laura has an interest in all General Practice, urgent care and public health. Laura has publications in the New Zealand Journal, has competed a advanced Dermoscopy course and enjoys all minor surgery. Laura is married with a young son, enjoys exploring the outdoors, travel and adventuring in anyway. Qualifications: MBChB, BSc, FRNZCGP.
Kirstie Harris – Sessional GP (Not accepting new patients)
Kirstie graduated from Otago Medical School in 1990 and has been working at Tahunanui Medical Centre since 1998. Kirstie enjoys all aspects of general practice, but she has extensive experience in women’s health including family planning. Kirstie is our resident guru on menopause and long-term contraceptive devices and also works at the Independent Nurses Medical Clinic. Kirstie and Stephen (Neas) have two grown up sons and Kirstie is a great cook. Qualifications: MBChB, Dip Ob’s, FRNZCGP.
Dr Amy Mannering – Sessional GP (on leave returning February 2025)
Amy joined the team at Tahunanui Medical Centre after her GP registration year in 2020. Prior to moving to Nelson, Amy worked in Rotorua, Blenheim and Greymouth as part of the rural hospital medical training programme. She has a broad range of medical interests and enjoys the variety general practice has to offer. When not at work Amy enjoys spending time in the outdoors. Her interests include kayaking, biking, skiing, running and eating good food. Qualifications: MBChB, DCH, FRNZCGP.
Dr Sophie Blomfield – Sessional GP
Sophie started working at Tahunanui Medical Centre in 2022. She graduated from Otago Medical School in 2015 and worked in a range of hospital specialties across the lower north island before moving the Nelson in 2021 for GP training. She enjoys the full breadth of GP practice and is currently undertaking some further study in travel medicine. Outside of work she spends her time travelling, exploring the outdoors, crocheting and playing ultimate frisbee. Qualifications: MBChB
Dr Anita Van De Leemput – Sessional GP Anita is originally from The Netherlands and graduated at the University of Utrecht in 2007. After graduation she worked in the fields of psychiatry, urgent care and on the wards in a hospital in Suriname. She graduated from GP training at the Utrecht University in 2012. Since then Anita worked as a GP in different practices in The Netherlands and also as a teacher in urgent care. She made the big move to New Zealand in december 2022 with her husband and four children. Anita has a broad interest in all General Practice and also in teaching. In her free time she loves exploring the outdoors and she plays the harp.
Dr Laurice Magdalani – Sessional GP covering Dr Mannerings patients during her leave.
Dr Andrew Riddell – Sessional GP
Health Improvement Practitioner – Heather Smith
HIPs are behavioral health clinician’s who work as members of the general practice team. We deliver focuses brief interventions for al problems and for all age groups. A HIP can offer a same day appointment for anyone who needs support to develop a plan and/or skills to better their own health and well being.
We are very fortunate to be a teaching practice for doctors who are undertaking specialist training in general practice. Our GP Registrars are fully qualified doctors, they spend 6 months with us and receive teaching from our staff, led by Stephen Neas, as well as seeing patients. The GP Registrars bring a variety of experience, many have previously been senior doctors in other specialities such as Psychiatry, General Medicine. We see their input as extremely valuable to our practice.
Health coaching is a FREE service that aims to build people’s motivation and capability to better understand and self-manage their physical and emotional wellbeing needs.
Working with a Health Coach can support:
- Exercise and Physical activity
- Healthy lifestyle
- Nutritional support (Supermarket tours, label education, healthier options)
- Emotional wellbeing
- Understanding of long-term health conditions – Diabetes, Gout, Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure
- Connection with community based social and physical groups
- Goal setting and action plans
- Supporting you in making your changes to your overall health and wellbeing
Our Building
The carving spanning the driveway was commissioned by Dr Chris Knight and carved by the Wakatu Marae carvers. It was unveiled and blessed by local kaumatua, Mr Jack Kohe, in a dawn ceremony on October 18th 1980. The carving represents a gateway to health for all races. It depicts the traditional healing methods for spiritual, physical and mental health. The pillar which supports the carving represents the modern healing methods. Te Rapu Oranga can be translated as the place to seek health or to feel well.