Laura Harvey is Head of Environmental and Animal Sciences at Unitec Institute of Technology, Auckland. Laura is a registered veterinary nurse, having gained her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing in 2007, Bachelor of Science in 2014, and MSc in 2020.  

She has a background in clinical practice and practice management. She has an interest in researching the veterinary nursing profession and the role of the veterinary nurse in modern practice; in particular, the psychosocial challenges facing the veterinary nursing profession in Aotearoa.

Find me online at Linkedin and ResearchGate

Yani Riley Sangroniz is a Territory Manager for Zoetis. Yani is a registered Veterinary Nurse qualifying way back in 2012 at Unitec NZ, after 13 years of clinic practice she decided to hang up her scrubs and try working in Industry! She has worked in almost every role a nurse could finishing up with imaging technician for VSA. She has an interest in the fear free handling of our companion animals and educating Vet Nurses to be the best they can be. In her spare time (when she has any) she likes to socialise with friends and train at the gym and work in her garden. 

Hi!! I’m Wendy, a Registered Veterinary Nurse Specialist and Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Small Animal Internal Medicine, and the creator of The Free-range Vet Nurse. I currently work as a Senior Lecturer at Otago Polytechnic in the School of Animal Health, serve on the executive committee for the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association (NZVNA), and sit on the trust board for Healthy Pets New Zealand.

Since starting my veterinary nursing career in 2008, I’ve worked in a wide range of roles—from veterinary receptionist, lead consulting vet nurse and head vet nurse to clinical coach, rural animal tech and specialist veterinary nurse. My experience spans companion animal general practice, mixed practice, emergency hospitals, and specialist referral centres. I’ve also volunteered for desexing charities in New Zealand and Rarotonga. In 2015, I was honoured to be named New Zealand Vet Nurse of the Year.

I hold a VTS in Small Animal Internal Medicine through the Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians (USA), along with a Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing, Graduate Diploma in Tertiary Education, Graduate Certificate in Business, Certificate in Rural Animal Technology, and a Diploma in Feline Nursing through ISFM. I’m also RECOVER CPR Certified. Along with a host of others because Im obsessed with learning!

I’m passionate about sharing knowledge and have contributed articles to the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Journal and the UK Vet Nurse Journal. I regularly present at conferences, offer in-clinic and online training, and enjoy supporting ongoing professional development for veterinary teams. My areas of special interest include internal medicine, oncology, low-stress handling, and vet nurse-led consults.

Outside of vet nursing, I’m a martial arts instructor and love spending time with friends and whānau, traveling, and exploring new places.

You can find me on social media HERE

Anna began her Veterinary Nursing journey in 2005 in Wellington before moving to London in 2008. She spent 11 years working in a variety of small animal clinics across London from private practice, corporate practices and big charity hospitals. She returned in NZ settling in Auckland at the end of 2019 and settled into referral nursing life at Veterinary Spealists Aotearoa working soley in anaesthesia. She completed her ISVPS Nursing Certiciate in Anaesthesia in 2023 and continues to love working on the floor, teaching and continually learning. Anna joined the NZVNA executive committee at the end of 2022 and took on the CPD portfolio in November 2023. I am really excited to be able to bring exciting content to Veterinary nurses around Aotearoa with webinars and promoting new learning platforms. 

My name is Lisa Hamilton, I graduated from Massey University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology. I nursed for 7 years in busy mixed practices in both Piopio and Waihi/Whangamata. I began as a sole charge Nurse and Large Animal Tech in Piopio and worked my way up to Clinic Co-Ordinator and head nurse in Whangamata. In 2022 I joined the team at Zoetis as an area manager.

I have been an NZVNA member since I graduated in 2014, and I am very excited to be joining the Executive committee in 2023. I am looking forward to helping my fellow nurses and I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the amazing vet nurse community we have here in NZ.

My passions are in dog behaviour, anesthesia and continuing education for nurses. I currently have a German Shepherd named Brax and a Heading Dog x Staffie named Stan. I spend my free time down at the beach swimming with them and I also love to go fishing off the Waihi Beach Coast.

Hi I’m Lisa and I have been welcomed onto the NZVNA executive committee this year.

I have worked within the veterinary industry since 2008 as a young sole charge vet nurse in an equine clinic to office management within vet clinics in latter years learning every role in between particularly really enjoying emergency triage and surgical nursing. I have worked in large vet groups as well as locally owned and operated clinics both CA and LA with a keen interest in operations management creating a fair, fun and productive work environment.

My husband and I live on his family farm in mid Canterbury along with our baby girl Violet who arrived in the world late Feb this year. Our 3 legged cat Trev and huntaway Oak have mercifully accepted Violet as part of their pack. Getting outdoors and working with the animals on the farm is one of my favourite past times and in the summer months heading down to the McKenzie country for a water ski and dip in the glacial fed lakes.

We are very fortunate to have such great support from communities and committees such as the NZVNA and I look forward to being a part of the growth and change while shining a light on the superstars that keep our vet clinics running like well oiled machines - that is the vet nurses of NZ.  

Hello, my name is Natalie.

I have been a qualified veterinary nurse for over 20 years. Working in a mixture of private, corporate and charity clinics.

During my time as a nurse, I have gained a lot of experience in all disciplines of clinical nursing/practice management and have a passion for nurse development and team members wellbeing.

Currently I am a Vet Area Manager and support six veterinary clinics. My role allows me to mentor Practice Managers. ensure that our clinic teams are upskilled and providing great clinical standards of care, as well as making sure that they are kept safe mentally and physically.

I have learnt a lot in previous roles of what good looks like and I am grateful that my role allows me to put my experience into practice.

I live in Auckland with my husband, daughter, cat and dog.

When I am not at work, I enjoy live music and eating out.

It is such privilege to become a board member of the NZVNA. I am looking forward to working alongside such a great group of people. Where we can continue to raise the standards and support our nursing community.

Hi, My name is Meg and I’m a 2019 graduate from Masseys Bachelor of Veterinary Technology. I started my career working in the South Waikato as both a small animal nurse and large animal technician. I now work in Northland as a Veterinary Nurse Team Leader for Northland Veterinary Group.

I grew up in New Plymouth then moved to Palmerston North to study before accepting my job at South Waikato Veterinary Services in Tokoroa. I have a strong passion for small animal nursing and in 2021 I took on the role of head nurse. I have enjoyed helping the nurses on my team learn and grow all the way from students to confident and skilled individuals. I have since moved up north to continue my nursing career and enjoy spending time at the beautiful Northland beaches in my spare time! 

I am excited for the opportunity to be on the executive committee for 2023, I would love to be able to give back to this profession and help its growth by sharing my experiences and enthusiasm. I am sure I also have a lot to learn from the other amazing members of the committee.

Hello there, my name is Ellie and I am originally from the south west of England where I started my veterinary nursing career in 2001 and qualified in 2024.

I have worked and travelled to many countries which finally brought me to New Zealand in 2009 which I now call home. 

I have worked in two small animal practices in New Zealand and also in a canine hydrotherapy centre. For two years I also taught the veterinary nursing qualification to students and have been working with Dr Debbie Simpson at The Skin Vet since it opened in 2016.

I love to keep up to date with new innovative ways to improve the profession, always interested and excited about new research which I use both in my work and when presenting talks to vets and nurses.

I have a keen interest in animal behaviour and am passionate in promoting low stress and fear free handling within the veterinary profession.

In 2018 I was very honoured to win the prestigious title of the NZVNA and Hills Veterinary Nurse of the Year award and am now loving being on the executive committee and looking after the Vet nurse of the Year and Vet nurse awareness week portfolios.

I love to be able to promote our profession and this honourable title and make veterinary nurses know what an amazing a job they do and give them the recognition they deserve. 

In my spare time I am a bit of a fitness fanatic, who enjoys trail walks and mountain biking and I am a qualified as a personal trainer. I share my home with my gorgeous old car Blossom and my beautiful rescue dog Dotty, who has the very important role of posing for many a picture on our socials!

Amy Ross is a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN). Having gained the National Certificate in Veterinary Nursing in 1997 she then worked in general practice for three months before taking a veterinary nursing position at SPCA Auckland. While working there, Amy completed the National Diploma in Veterinary Nursing in 2006.

After working for nine years in shelter medicine, Amy decided it was time for a change and started work at Unitec, teaching veterinary nursing students. It was during this time in 2008 when Amy joined the NZVNA Executive Committee (then council). Amy has held a number of different portfolios while on the Executive Committee including journal editor, social media, e-newsletter, Vet Nurse of the Year and representing veterinary nurses on the board of trustees for Companion Animals NZ. In 2021 Amy took on the position of President. Amy currently works at Auckland Zoo, where she started in 2011.

During her spare time Amy likes to spend time with her family, work in her vegetable garden or work on one of her many hobbies.