SUPPORT STAFF
Behind every world-class equine hospital is a dedicated support team. At MVS Equine, our nurses, technicians, and administrative staff are the backbone of our clinic, providing 24/7 care and ensuring the highest standards of medical excellence.
Combining technical expertise with a genuine passion for equine welfare, our team works tirelessly alongside our specialists to support both patient and client.
Meet the professionals dedicated to keeping your horse in the best possible hands.
Sophia Donnelly
Business Manager
Read about Sophia
Sophia joined MVS July 2016 as part of our Administration team. In May 2017 she moved into a mixed technician and administration role working with Director, Dave Keenan, followed by stepping into the Business Manager role in 2021.
Sophia graduated from Massey University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Business Studies, and again in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science. She also completed a PgDip in Commerce through Lincoln University via distance in 2023.
Outside of work Sophia competes her horses in a range of disciplines, and also enjoys snowsports, the outdoors and travel.
Scotty Buchanan
Hospital Coordinator
Read about Scotty
Scotty joined MVS in August 2023 as part of our admin team.
Scotty has been a part of the Thoroughbred industry for 20 years, working for racing stables and breeding farms in the Waikato and a few years in country VIC, Australia. He has worked as an Assistant Yearling Manager, Broodmare Manager and Stallion Manager. His all-time favourite stallion was Pentire. Scotty’s interest grew further in management and his last roll was People & Culture Coordinator at Rich Hill Stud. In 2023 Scotty took on the voluntary role of President of the Waikato branch of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Association.
As the Equine Hospital Coordinator, Scotty is the first point of contact for clients and connects the dots between patients and veterinarians to ensure that MVS Equine are providing the best care for your horse, big or small. Outside of work Scotty enjoys being creative with painting and drawing. He enjoys the outdoors, trout fishing, and loves a good movie night! Scotty also works as a facilitator with The Rural Support Trust. He loves people and the industry, and always happy to help.
Marisa Olivier
HR & Administration Coordinator
Read about Marisa
Marisa joined MVS in February 2026 as part of our Administration team. She graduated from Stellenbosch University in South Africa in 2002 and has experience in finance across agricultural business in South Africa and the UK. She also has previous experience in the veterinary industry, having worked as financial administrator and office manager at a dairy vet clinic. Outside of work Marisa loves participating in road or trail running and raising her three boys with husband PJ.
Louise Lloyd
Equine Stock Manager
Read about Louise
Louise joined MVS in July 2019 as part of our administration team.
Louise graduated from the University of Waikato in 2012 with a Bachelor of Sport and Leisure Studies (BSpLs).
Louise manages and procures all the stock needed for the hospital, our ambulatory vets and MVS EquiBreed.
Outside of work Louise enjoys being outdoors, riding her horse and spending time with friends and family.
Natalie George
Senior Equine Administrator
Read about Natalie
Natalie started with MVS Equine in July 2008 and brings many years of experience in both office administration and the Thoroughbred industry. Originally from Auckland, she moved to the Waikato more than 20 years ago and worked at Bendon Te Aroha sewing bras for five years before the factory closed.
Her passion for horses led her to Cambridge Thoroughbred Lodge, where she managed office duties, organised sales and bookings for the NZ Horse Magic Show, and even stepped in as a back-up Ring Master, helping with the horses in the show.
Natalie has been an important part of the MVS Equine team ever since, using her industry knowledge and friendly nature in her role as Administrator.
Outside of work, Natalie enjoys spending time with her two adult daughters, relaxing with her two cats, driving her Corvette to car shows—often alongside her husband in his car—and enjoying speedway and life in general.
Olivia McCormack
Equine Administrator
Read about Olivia
Olivia joined MVS in April 2021 as part of our administration team.
Olivia comes from an extensive administration background with over 20 years’ experience. She also has a passion for working with animals and completed her Veterinary Nursing Certificate back in 2011.
She then moved from Wellington up to Matamata in December 2016 where she met her fiancé, bought a house and now they have a beautiful boy together.
Olivia is full time supporting the administration team. She is looking forward to building relationships with her colleagues and clients in the equine industry.
Outside of work Olivia enjoys baking, adventures and spending time with her family and friends.
Amber Wilton
Equine Administrator
Read about Amber
Amber joined MVS in April 2018 as part of our Veterinary Nurse team. In 2024 she moved across to the Admin team.
Amber graduated from UCOL in 2002 then worked in the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital mainly as a Small Animal Nurse for nearly five years.
She then moved to the Waikato where she gained extensive experience as an Equine Veterinary Nurse while working for a local equine veterinary practice for over 10 years before joining the MVS team. Amber’s main areas of interest are surgery and neonatal intensive care.
Outside of work Amber enjoys horse riding, mountain biking and hanging out with family and friends.
Julia Hadley
Equine Finance Administrator
Read about Julia
Julia joined MVS August 2019 initially as part of our Equine Nurse team and is currently a member of the admin team.
Julia graduated from Massey university in 2016 with a Diploma in Business Studies (endorsement in Human Resource Management) and has previously been employed in an accounts/payroll/human resource role. Julia has ridden all her life and had a fabulous ex racehorse she evented to three star level and took to the UK to compete in 2010.
Outside of work Julia enjoys bringing on her young horse and is looking forward to getting out to some competitions in the future. She also enjoys spending time on her three-acre lifestyle block, travelling, and reading.
Dot Hallyburton
Hospital Operations Manager
Read about Dot
Dot Hallyburton has been at MVS equine for over 20 years which means she seen just about everything a horse can dream up – and still loves the job!
As Hospital Operations Manager, Dot spends her days making sure your horses have their needs met during their stay and the team have all they need to provide a service we are all proud of.
Tatum Mackee
Equine Nure
Read about Tatum
Tatum joined MVS in August 2022 as part of the equine nursing team. Tatum has vast experience in the equine industry having worked in racing stables from a young age, riding trackwork in both the UK and Australia. Tatum completed her Cert IV Veterinary Nursing Qualification in Australia in 2018. Before relocating to New Zealand, Tatum spent eight years working as an equine nurse across several equine hospitals in Queensland and New South Wales. While Tatum enjoys all aspects of her work, she has a strong interest in equine neonatology, diagnostic imaging, and sports medicine. In recent years, Tatum has worked consecutive seasons going between the UK and New Zealand. Outside of work, Tatum teaches Pilates, enjoys spending time with her own mares and foals, and travelling to new places.
Ellie Thompson
Equine Nurse
Read about Ellie
Elle joined MVS in August 2019 as part of our equine nursing team.
Elle currently heads our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the hospital. She has a specialised interest in neonatal care and critical care nursing. Having graduated in 2016 with a Diploma in Equine Veterinary Nursing. Elle spent 6 years working in the UK, this included time at Rossdales Equine Hospital in Newmarket as a neonatal intensive care nurse. Elle is now studying for a post graduate certificate in advanced equine nursing - critical care, to further progress her career and knowledge. She is passionate about the equine nursing profession and loves to mentor future generations. Before becoming an equine nurse, Elle worked as a foaling supervisor on a sport horse stud and spent 5 years in the racing industry where she held her apprentice jockey’s licence for two seasons.
Outside of work Elle enjoys spending time with her husband, 2 little girls, their dog Poppy, and trying to breed the next Melbourne Cup winner!
Claire White
Equine Nurse
Read about Claire
Claire qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2019 having already completed a degree in Physiology previously. Claire worked in small animals for 4 years before switching to equine when she came out to New Zealand for a season in 2023. Having grown up on a farm and working with horses back in Scotland, the switch suited her. In Claire’s spare time, she enjoys running, pilates and horse riding.
Sarita Kennedy
Equine Nurse
Read about Sarita
Sarita joined MVS in July 2019 as part of our Equine nursing team.
Sarita grew up on Norfolk Island and moved to Matamata from Palmerston North after graduating in 2007 with a BScAg.
Sarita’s passion for horses saw her work at various racing facilities across the north island before becoming an equine nurse in 2008. Where her interest in lameness and radiographs has been developed so she’s an integral part of the sales team – plate holding and uploading the sale series.
When Sarita is not spending time with client horses she is with her very own competing in dressage across the country. Sarita also dabbled in breeding sport horses.
Rachel Holcroft
Equine Nurse
Read about Rachel
Rachel joined MVS June 2021 as part of our Veterinary Nursing team.
Rachel graduated from Massey University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology tracking Equine. Since graduation, she has worked mainly as an equine nurse in New Zealand and overseas. This has included two seasons as a Neonatal Intensive Care nurse at Rossdales Equine Hospital, Newmarket, UK in 2016 and 2017 before moving to Melbourne to take up an equine nursing role at The University of Melbourne Veterinary Teaching Hospital Equine Centre. Here she cared for a huge range of horses and ponies whilst supervising and teaching final year veterinary students in clinic. She has also completed a season as a herd manager on a dairy farm and some small animal nursing work.
Rachel enjoys all aspects of equine nursing with a specific interest in neonatal intensive care and medical cases.
Outside of work, Rachel enjoys skiing and snowboard along with following the thoroughbred racehorses she has small shares in.
Emily De Klerk
Equine Nurse
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Emily joined MVS in August 2023 as a part of our nursing team.
Emily graduated from Wintec in 2022 and has had previous experience in the veterinary industry as well as experience within the racing industry prior to studying.
Emily shows an interest in all aspects within the clinic, especially medical cases within the hospital or on the road. She also enjoys working with the foals in the NICU unit.
Outside of work she loves hanging with her friends and family, going in adventures, as well as riding and competing her own horses in show jumping and a bit of eventing.
Olive Westall
Equine Technician
Read about Olive
Olive joined MVS in August 2022, bringing over 25 years of experience in the Thoroughbred industry, having worked across every aspect of breeding and management. Her career includes six years as a neonatal manager, and she later achieved the milestone of taking her own draft to the yearling sales after many years working for others. Olive holds a New Zealand Equine Breeding Certificate, a New Zealand Stable Manager Diploma, and has completed four equine papers during post‑graduate study at Massey University.
Lynley Fraser
Yard Hand
Read about Lynley
Lynley joined MVS in September 2019 as part of our Equine team.
She has spent most of her life working in the racing industry. She left school to become an apprentice jockey and then decided to travel, where the highlight was working for Bart Cummings for 7 years. Lynley also holds her NZ owner/Trainer’s License.
She enjoys seeing all of the different breeds, shapes and sizes of horses that come into MVS Equine Hospital and learning new things. Outside of work she enjoys horse trekking, watching horse racing, and spending time with her daughter.
Seini Rawasoi
Equine Lab Technician
Read about Seini
Seini joined MVS in October 2022 as part of our Equine Laboratory team.
Seini graduated from the University of the South Pacific in 2010. In 2011, Seini joined the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Health & Production Division at the Fiji Veterinary Pathology Laboratory as Laboratory Technical Officer. In 2018 she completed her Diploma in Medical Laboratory Science Course from Pacific Paramedical Training Centre, Wellington where she gained knowledge and skills in the laboratory field.
Seini is looking forward to building her relationship with the team and getting involved in all aspects of her job with her main interest in Equine Microbiology.
Outside of work Seini enjoys traveling, gardening, camping and exploring NZ’s great outdoors.
DEDICATED CARE AROUND THE CLOCK
Our dedicated support team ensures every horse receives seamless, high-level care from arrival to recovery. From our skilled veterinary technicians to our expert stable and office staff, we provide the essential coordination and clinical assistance that keeps our world-class equine hospital running 24/7.
Expert veterinary care for horse health, performance, and wellbeing. Based in Matamata, our dedicated team provides ambulatory and clinic services across the Waikato 24/7, 365 days a year.
CONTACT
07 888 8193
equine@matamatavets.co.nz
362 Hinuera Road, RD2 Matamata
Waikato, NZ
Normal clinic hours:
8am - 5pm Monday - Friday
Emergency calls accepted anytime.
