Ian Holmes

Ian graduated from Massey University in 1971. He then spent four and a half years in general practice in the Bay of Plenty before moving to an intensive small animal hospital in Christchurch.

In 1979 together with his wife Carole, he opened the Bucklands Beach Veterinary Hospital, which has grown over nearly 30 years to a staff of four Veterinarians and six Veterinary Nurses.
Ian is a skilled small animal clinician with special interests in medicine and practice development. He constantly involves himself in local post-graduate and on-line veterinary education.

Ian's interests outside of work are his family and six grandchildren, flying, golf, boating, diving, and his very special cat "Mr B." (short for Mr Blobby).

Iain Malcolm

Iain is a Massey university graduate and has been working at the Bucklands Beach

Vet Clinic since 1991. He gained membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Medicine in 1998. He enjoys the many challenges of veterinary work... you never know whats coming up next! 

Outside of veterinary work he enjoys a great variety of outdoor activities: Running, biking, swimming, kayaking, skiing and mountain climbing (though not all at once!). He and his wife Julie live on a 2ha lifestyle block where they are kept busy with two horses along with an ageing labrador and two cats.

Paul Elliot

Paul qualified as a Veterinarian in 1989 at Massey University. After working for two years in South Auckland, he and his wife Catherine moved to the UK. They lived and worked for 5 years in Kent and in London, and enjoyed travelling (and still do!). He Started working at the Bucklands Beach Veterinary Hospital in 1997 and enjoys being part of the great team at the clinic.

Out of hours, Paul loves to play golf (some rounds more than others!!) and also likes to play his guitar. He also loves to cook. Some clients may have met his wife Catherine as she kindly and very ably assists him when he is looking after cases in the weekends.

They live with two cats: Pinto (named after a favourite Italian restaurant in London), and Pluckley (after the most haunted village in England).

Joanne Watkinson

Joanne graduated from Massey University in 2000. She grew up in Bucklands Beach and since qualifying as a vet has worked in Wellington, the United Kingdom, Hamilton & has now recently joined the team at Bucklands Beach. Her particular interest is in feline & emergency medicine.

Kim Elphick

Kim has been a Veterinary Nurse for 22 years. She has been a member of the team here at the Bucklands Beach Veterinary Hospital since 1994 and still enjoys every day and the friendly team she works with.

She is married to Terry and they have two girls, Kirstin (9) and Brittany (7). She has been involved with St Johns for the last two years and has recently become a Youth Leader.

They have two dogs, two cats, and numerous fish as pets. In her spare time (when not renovating or gardening), Kim enjoys time out on their boat, reading, and being involved in a variety of activities with her children.

 

Karen Hill

Karen has been part ot the team at the Bucklands Beach Veterinary Hospital since 1987 - so I guess it goes without saying that she loves her job! She worked in a full-time capacity until her husband Brett and she started “reproducing” and since then has worked on a part-time and on-call basis.

Karen says that raising three children is often hectic but extremely rewarding and that it is a description that could equally be applied to Veterinary Nursing. One of the things that never ceases to amaze her is the intensity of the strong bonds formed between pets and their families, and the constant evidence of the huge benefits of having pets to share our lives.

The four-legged friend who shares her family life is Eva the 5 year old British Bulldog. Eva wasn't ever going to be their first breed choice but 4 years after she “found” them, she’s an adored member of the family.

Kerry Pickles

Kerry has been working fulltime at the clinic since 2006, and before that worked part-time whilst studying for her Certificate in Veterinary Nursing at Unitec. She also has a Certificate in Animal Care and has almost completed a further correspondance course. Kerry loves being able to help our animal companions especially when they are sick in hospital or having to undergo surgery.

She has a seven and a half year old son Daniel, a very enthusiastic Welsh Springer Spaniel called “Reckless Ruby”, and a cat Katie who is not actually sure she is a cat. Outside of work Kerry is often found doing some form of art work, home renovations, or gardening with Katie’s help.

Deborah Eagleton

Deborah is Head Nurse and has been working at the clinic since 1997. She completed her qualifications in 1999 and gained a Certificate in Animal Care and Certificate in Veterinary Nursing. She enjoys the challenge of working in a busy environment and helping with the day to day running of the clinic.

Deborah was married in 2001 to Quentin, and in 2006 they bought their first house. They have one special four legged baby called Gucci, who is very spoilt. 

In her spare time she enjoys playing Netball and spending time with family and friends.

Deborah is a loyal member of the team and enjoys the relationships she has built with clients and their pets over the years.

Nicki Paklos

Nicki graduated from Unitec's Diploma of Veterinary Nursing in 2006, and her first full-time Veterinary Nursing job is here at Bucklands Beach where she started in June 2007. Prior to this she had worked on a part-time basis for two years in the Veterinary Department of the Auckland Zoo. She is still involved there as a part-time keeper once a fortnight where she looks after the "birdies" in the exotic birds section.

Nicki loves heading out on the ocean in her kayak, and recently spent a small fortune on a camera to practice photography. After a few blurry and out-of-focus pictures she says she is slowly making progress!! She has a passion and fascination for exotic species and hopes one day to be involved with wildlife conservation or exotic animal medicine in the veterinary field.

Sam Boston