General Practitioners
Warkworth Family Doctors Who Take The Time For You
Kowhai Surgery is a friendly, community-based medical centre. Your General Practitioner is there to provide comprehensive healthcare when you are ill, as well as advice and services to keep you healthy.
Who you will see when you visit the Kowhai Surgery Medical Centre in Warkworth…
Our General Practitioners
Dr Elspeth Dickson
MBChB(Hons), MRCP(UK) Dip Obst. FRNZCGP
I was born and brought up in Scotland and graduated with honours from the University of Glasgow in 1987.
After completing my postgraduate Membership of the Royal College of Physicians in 1990, I moved to New Zealand where I continued to work in the hospitals, initially as a Medical Registrar and latterly completing my Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, before moving into General Practice in 1994.
I joined Kowhai Surgery in 1995 and moved to Warkworth shortly after. I have been a teacher of postgraduate registrars in General Practice and continue to supervise our doctors who have not completed their GP Fellowship. I am passionate about maintaining the highest standards in our next generation of GPs.
I am married to another local GP and we have three adult children, Isla, Kirsty and Rory. I feel privileged to be living and working in such a great area and enjoy all the challenges that General Practice brings.
Elspeth joined as Principal in January 1995
Dr Steve Maric
MBChB; MRCGP(UK); Dip.Obst
I was born and raised in England (of Croatian/Irish stock) and graduated from Sheffield Medical School in 1988. In 1990 I arrived in New Zealand for a working holiday and stayed for 3 years. During that time I worked in a number of hospitals in Auckland and Hamilton and met my wife, Lianne.
We returned to the UK in 1993 where I completed my General Practice training. 10 years later we came back to New Zealand where our third child was born.
I enjoy practising in the Warkworth area as the case load is varied, allowing me to pursue an holistic approach. When I’m not at work I can (hopefully) be found playing sport or music.
Steve joined as Principal in May 2007
Dr Susanne Krueger
MBChB, MRNZCGP
I was born in Germany but moved to New Zealand aged four and grew up in Warkworth. I graduated in 2010 from the University of Auckland and then moved up to Whangarei where I worked for a couple of years at Whangarei Base Hospital.
I took some time off to get married and travel around Europe for a few months before starting my General Practice training at the end of 2012, during which I worked at Kowhai Surgery and Wellsford Medical Centre for two half-year placements.
I enjoy the variety that General Practice brings and the opportunity to have an ongoing relationship with patients. Outside of work I like horse riding, gardening and enjoying the out-doors that this great area has to offer.
Susanne started as registrar and became full Principal in January 2014
Dr Sophie Lines
I was born in Auckland and grew up in North Canterbury. After studying medicine at the University of Otago and graduating in 2008, I began my career in the Wellington region and went on to complete a Diploma of Child Health.
In 2012, my husband Simon and I set off on an adventure to the Northern Territory, Australia. I worked as a GP in Darwin, Katherine, and remote East Arnhem Land communities, while completing my GP training, an advanced rural fellowship, and a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Life in the outback was exciting and rewarding, but after a few years we were ready to return home to New Zealand to start a family.
Since 2017, we’ve made our home in the Warkworth area. We live on a lifestyle block with our two energetic boys and a lively flock of eight chickens. Simon is a pilot for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, and as a family we love exploring the outdoors, hiking local trails, gardening or just spending time together in nature.
I feel very fortunate to work in rural general practice, where I enjoy the variety, the connections with people, and the chance to provide holistic, preventative care. I also run a travel medicine clinic, combining my love of medicine with my passion for adventure.
locum for one year and then Principal in April 2020
Dr. Nicolas Thorburn
BSC (Hons), MBChB, DCH FRNZCGP
Nicolas [Nico] graduated from the University of Auckland in 2016. Initially worked in Tauranga Hospital for 4 years before starting his career in General Practice in 2021 initially training in the North Auckland area and then consolidating skills in the Central Otago district.
He enjoys all aspects of primary care, but has a special interest in child and youth health, having completed the Diploma of Child Health through the University of Otago.
He has recently moved back to the area with his young family, to be closer to extended family. In his spare time, he enjoys trail running and mountain biking.
Dr Daniela Fernandes
degree in medicine from the University of Minho in 2015.
She is skilled in both general practice and urgent care and has
experience in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases,
work related injuries, maternal and child health, elderly care and
women’s health issues.
Daniela also achieved specialist credentials in 2021 while
working at a primary care unit prior to arriving in New Zealand
together with her partner.
In her spare time she finds joy in travel and sightseeing, has
a keen appetite for the latest movies and TV shows and can
always find room for one more plant in her ever growing
collection.
Needless-to-say she is eager to become part of our local
Warkworth community and explore everything New Zealand has
to offer!
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Contact Us
Find Us
Street Address
10 Percy Street,
Warkworth
Auckland 0910
Postal Address
PO Box 285,
Warkworth
Auckland 0941
Portal
ManageMyHealth
Open Hours
Monday to Thursday
8am to 5.30pm
Friday
8am to 5pm
Bank Details
02 0480 0141717 00
After Hours
After Hours
Saturday Morning
8am to 12 noon Shared with Warkworth Medical Centre
After hours Phone Triage 24/7, call 09 425 7358