Find the therapist that best suits your needs.
Our team - ko wai matou
DIRECTOR
Darren North
Clinic Director & Senior Physiotherapist | Sports Injuries
Darren is a highly experienced physiotherapist and clinic director with over two decades of expertise in musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy.
Known for his detailed and analytical approach, Darren thrives on the challenge of solving complex injuries and helping people return to the activities they love—stronger, more confident, and pain-free.
He has extensive experience working with sports teams and high-performance athletes, both on the sidelines and in the clinic, and has developed particular expertise in treating shoulder, knee, spinal, and tendon-related injuries.
Darren also has a special interest in surfing physiotherapy—working with surfers of all levels to manage common surf-related injuries and optimise paddling, pop-up mechanics, and mobility.
As an athlete himself, Darren has competed internationally and continues to live and breathe sport. He’s a passionate surfer, snowboarder, and weekend footy player who understands the demands of sport from the inside out. His personal connection to performance and recovery allows him to tailor treatment plans that are both practical and performance-focused.
Originally from West Auckland, Darren brings a laid-back but driven energy to the team.
Outside the clinic, you’ll likely find him chasing waves, building rally cars, or telling the story of that one time a racehorse was named after him.
He also loves the daily challenge of dealing with his boisterous young daughters, who keep him on his toes at home.
SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Tomu Hiratsuka
Senior Physiotherapist | Special interest in Achilles tendons, Ankle, Knee & Shoulder Injuries.
Tomu is originally from Japan and brings a wealth of experience and passion to his physiotherapy practice.
A graduate of Otago University in 2009, he has continually pursued further learning, completing postgraduate study in 2019 through AUT and recently achieving his Master’s degree with research focused on Achilles tendon ruptures.
Clinically, Tomu has a strong interest in lower limb injuries—particularly Achilles tendons, ankles, and knees—along with a growing reputation for his effective treatment of shoulder conditions.
His approach is grounded in the latest evidence, informed by his research and years of hands-on experience, and tailored to help patients recover fully and return to the activities they love.
Outside the clinic, Tomu lives and breathes sport.
Rugby is his biggest passion, having played for over 20 years, including a professional stint in Japan. Hestill finds time to play touch rugby—debuting in 2017 with the NZ Masters Touch Team.
Whether you're managing a tendon injury, rehabbing from a sports-related issue, or aiming to move better and stronger, Tomu’s skill, energy, and dedication make him a trusted choice for your recovery.
SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Courtney Ropati
Courtney Ropati – Senior Physiotherapist | Sports & Pelvic Health physiotherapist
Courtney is a highly skilled Musculoskeletal Sports and Pelvic Health Physiotherapist with a First Class Honours degree from Scotland. She brings a holistic, evidence-based approach to treatment, shaped by years of experience across New Zealand and the UK.
Since relocating to New Zealand in 2017, Courtney has completed comprehensive Pilates training, which she skillfully integrates into her rehabilitation programs to improve movement, core control, and recovery outcomes. While working in London, she honed her clinical expertise in private practice alongside Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioners, Sports Physicians, and Podiatrists.
Courtney has a dual passion for sports physiotherapy and pelvic health. She supports active people recovering from injury and returning to performance, while also specialising in pelvic floor physiotherapy for women. Trained through the Pelvic Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP) group in London, she treats a wide range of pelvic health concerns—including urinary incontinence, prolapse, pelvic pain, bowel dysfunction, and pregnancy-related pain.
With a calm and compassionate approach, Courtney is especially passionate about supporting women through pregnancy and postnatal recovery—a space that has taken on even more meaning as she prepares to become a mum herself.
Outside the clinic, you'll find her walking or running her way around town in search of the perfect coffee spot—something she’s just as committed to as her patients' wellbeing!
Jen Touzel
Senior Physiotherapist & Pelvic health physio | Special interest in Sports & Women's Health
Jen is an experienced physiotherapist with a dual passion for sports physiotherapy and women’s pelvic health. She has worked in both Auckland and London across musculoskeletal and high-performance sport settings, including two seasons with the UK’s Superleague Netball and travelling with NZ Athletics to the Oceania Championships in 2022.
With a strong background in sports injuries and return-to-play rehab, Jen brings both energy and insight to helping active people recover and perform at their best. Alongside this, she has developed a specialist interest in pelvic health physiotherapy, supporting women through all stages of life—including pregnancy, postnatal recovery, and menopause.
Jen regularly works with people experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction, including prolapse, urinary incontinence, bowel issues, pelvic pain, and sexual pain. She’s passionate about breaking down stigma, improving awareness, and helping her patients feel confident in their bodies again.
Whether you're an athlete returning from injury or a new mum navigating pelvic health challenges, Jen blends clinical expertise with a down-to-earth, individualised approach. She's committed to finding the root cause of issues and tailoring treatment to what matters most to each patient.
Known for her empathy, sense of humour, and motivating style, Jen is always ready to guide, challenge, and cheer her patients on. Outside the clinic, she’s a keen social sportsperson—more about good company than competition—and always up for a cold drink and a laugh after the final whistle.
SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Paul White
Senior Physiotherapist | Special interest in Running Analysis, Sporting Injuries & Return to Sport
Paul is a physiotherapist with a deep passion for all things running.
With special interests in running injuries, sporting injuries, return to sport programs, low back pain, and chronic pain, Paul offers a comprehensive approach to recovery and performance.
Paul leads our specialist Running Assessment Program, combining expert movement analysis with tailored rehabilitation strategies. During his time in the UK, Paul had the opportunity to learn from some of the world’s leading running analysts. This experience has shaped his unique method of teaching people how to run more efficiently—targeting the root causes of injury through individual movement patterns and biomechanical weaknesses.
Whether you're training for a marathon, just getting started, or struggling with persistent pain, Paul’s goal is to help you run stronger, safer, and with greater confidence. He believes that understanding each person's unique situation is key to achieving meaningful results, and he uses a wide range of evidence-based treatments to optimise recovery and performance.
Outside the clinic, Paul enjoys spending quality time with his family and is an enthusiastic (and ever-improving) watercolour artist.
Paul runs (excuse the pun) our specialist running assessment program.
SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Allison Lerette
Allison Lerette – Senior Physiotherapist | Special interests: Sports Injuries, Concussion & Movement
Allison is a passionate and experienced physiotherapist who believes in the power of movement and exercise for injury recovery, prevention, and lifelong wellbeing. Originally from Canada, she brings a broad and well-rounded clinical background to her new home in New Zealand—and is excited to explore everything Aotearoa has to offer.
With a strong interest in sports injury management and performance rehab, Allison works with athletes and active individuals to reduce pain, restore function, and support long-term movement health. She has completed extensive post-graduate training in manual therapy, exercise prescription, concussion management, dry needling, acupuncture, and pain science. Her treatment philosophy centres around understanding the whole person—not just the injury—helping each patient move better and feel more confident in their body.
Allison draws on her own background as a high-performance athlete, having competed in varsity volleyball and track & field at Dalhousie University. She continues to stay involved in the volleyball community as both a player and coach, and enjoys working with athletes of all levels to navigate the physical and mental demands of sport.
Whether you’re returning from injury, dealing with chronic pain, or just looking to move and perform better, Allison combines clinical expertise, active rehab strategies, and a supportive, patient-centred approach to help you reach your goals.
ADMIN GURU
Charlie Carroll
Meet Charlie, our admin guru who truly sees all, knows all, and keeps everything running smoothly. From managing our day-to-day operations to ensuring that all our clients are looked after, Charlie is the backbone of our team and is always ready to help.
When not keeping us on track, Charlie loves spending time outdoors—whether it’s relaxing at the beach, going camping, or crocheting up a storm. Her attention to detail and organisational skills are as impressive as her creativity!
If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to give Charlie a call. She’s always happy to help!
Thanks for everything, Charlie!
