Large animal team
The experienced team of large animal vets and technicians are able to provide a complete package of services to lifestyle block holders with a range of animals, right through to large dairy farm units.
They operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and travel thousands of kilometres every week within the region to treat and consult on farm and in paddock. They also have facilities in-house for full medical and surgical care and frequently use the conference facilities for training and up-skilling events.
Richard Nortje
Large Animal Veterinarian (Managing Director)
Leading the farm animal team Richard enjoys herd and preventative dairy health/consultancy and has completed his post graduate degree in Veterinary Preventative Medicine through Massey University.
He is a registered provider of the DairyNZ In-Calf and Healthy Hoof programmes and has been involved with several trials including assessing the metabolic profiles of cows wintering on fodder beet.
Richard and his family are originally from the Rangitikei region and moved to Rangiora in 2013. When not working Rico is spending time with his young family, busy on the lifestyle block or can be found golfing or fishing around North Canterbury.
Tristan Kamps
Large Animal Veterinarian DVM
Tristan joined the RVC Large Animal team at the beginning of April 2019. After becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, gained at the University of Utrecht, in the Netherlands, Tristan worked as a mixed animal vet for seven years and developed a special interest in internal medicine, surgery and pharmacotherapy.
Originally born and raised in Christchurch, he headed off for a big OE which lasted the better part of 17 years, of which 15 years were based in The Netherlands. While on the OE he travelled extensively through Europe and also met the other (larger) half of his family on his father’s side.
He made his way back to New Zealand early 2019 where he enjoys rock climbing, snowboarding and mountain biking when not being a vet. He also dabbles in a bit of small furniture making.
John Spearpoint
Large Animal Veterinarian
John joined RVC's large animal team in December 2020, bringing a rare combination of clinical veterinary training, scientific discipline, and hands-on farming practice. He holds qualifications in Veterinary Medicine, Science, Agriculture, and Conservation & Land Management; a foundation that allows him to translate complex production and animal health challenges into practical, evidence-based solutions for his clients.
Before veterinary school, John worked as a medical laboratory scientist and operated a stud Angus cattle breeding business in Australia's Hunter Valley. This background in understanding both farm systems and applied science now shapes his current focus across dairy, beef, sheep and deer production, along with lifestyle-related animal health matters.
Beyond clinical work, John manages on-farm research to GCP and GLP standards, a responsibility that positions RVC at the forefront of evidence-based innovation in production animal medicine. Recent projects include trials on trace mineral efficacy, veterinary medicine registration studies, lameness detection technology, greenhouse gas mitigation, and validation work on emerging products and systems. This research involvement keeps him connected to where the profession is moving and gives his clinical advice the weight of current data.
John was recently elected to the New Zealand Veterinary Association's Dairy Cattle Veterinarians executive committee and appointed by MPI as an approved veterinarian for disease incursion response. These roles reflect his standing within the profession and his commitment to shaping New Zealand's animal health standards at a national level; work that directly influences policy and collaboration across the industry.
Outside work, he spends time outdoors, cycling, and exploring New Zealand's landscape.
Jevan Eady
Large Animal Veterinarian BVSc
Jevan (Pronounced like “Kevin” but with a “J”) Graduated from Massey University in 2017 and spent the following 4 years working as a mixed animal vet in South Waikato, before moving back to Canterbury to pursue a more dairy orientated role with the RVC Large Animal team in July 2022.
Along with dairy cattle he also has a special interest in deer.
When Jevan takes his Vet hat off, he’s into pretty much anything that gets him outside and moving, sports, river rafting, hiking, snowboarding etc. He is a nature enthusiast, food lover and loves a good coffee and a book too.
Canterbury born and breed he was raised in south Canterbury in the small town of Southbridge where a couple of sheep, chickens, plus several cats and dogs cradled his passion for animals. This combined with a scientific background from his parents led him to pursue a veterinary career from an early age.
2 days before leaving the Waikato he was adopted by a little cat dubbed “Sprite”. A black and white DMH with a gloriously fluffy tail and face markings to rival Gene Simmons. After living in 4 houses in as many months they are both happy to have settled in Rangiora and look forward to exploring all the area has to offer.
Hannah Biddulph
Large Animal Veterinarian
Hannah has spent the first part of her career working in mixed animal practice in the Waikato and has now taken a farm animal role at RVC. Hannah hails from the West Island, qualifying at Murdoch University, Perth, before crossing the ditch to work in NZ along with her partner Kieran (a companion animal vet). Her passion for dairy stems from her experience growing up on a dairy farm in South West Australia, and she is looking forward to continuing to improve her skills and knowledge in intensive dairy practice.
Outside of work, Hannah enjoys her time playing sports, hiking, yoga and recently becoming acquainted with the local cycling tracks. She is excited to enjoy the beach - which she has been missing for the past few years! She also relishes the opportunity to unwind with a cup of tea and a good book or crossword.
Bethany Tamblyn
Large Animal Veterinarian
Beth joined the team in 2026 as a Production Animal Veterinarian. She graduated from Liverpool University in 2021 and grew up in Cornwall in the UK on a beef farm, where her passion for farm animal veterinary work first began.
After graduating, Beth spent three and a half years working in Devon, gaining valuable experience with seasonal calving dairy herds. She is particularly interested in seasonal dairy systems and is looking forward to being involved in New Zealand’s pasture-based dairy farming.
Outside of work, Beth enjoys anything outdoors, including hiking, camping, running, and sea swimming. Since arriving in New Zealand, she’s also hoping to improve her currently limited skiing skills. Beth is missing her family dog, Lola — a very lively collie cross Border Terrier — back home in the UK.
Sophie Mote
Large Animal Veterinarian
Matt Lawrey
Large Animal Health Technical Support
Matt joined the large animal team mid 2023, having worked alongside RVC in his previous position, Matt has a clear understanding of the role and appreciation of our RVC client base.
Matt has worked his entire career in the local rural sector. His agricultural degree and first-hand experience working on a variety of stock and cropping farms, (including managing a 500ha sheep and beef property) means he is aware of the challenges many farmers are facing. Couple this with spending the last 15 years in the Animal Health Industry, Matt is keen to draw on his knowledge and experience to help find clients solutions that align with their animal health goals and their business needs.
Outside of work, Matt enjoys a number of different activities; vintage cars, jet boating, clay bird shooting, and enjoying an ale or two with friends to name a few. Together with his fiancee Sophie (a small animal vet and long-term RVC staff member), they live on a lifestyle block in Loburn, just up the road from where he grew up. Matt is looking forward to getting to know all the RVC farm clients over the coming months.
Kellie Grieve
Large Animal Veterinary Technician DipRAVT
Kellie began working at RVC casually in May 2017, but then accepted a full time position as a technician in October 2018.
After graduating Vet Nursing at Ara in 2016 and realising she had a bigger interest in the dairy sector, Kellie completed a Certificate in Rural Animal Technology in 2017 whilst working on a dairy farm in North Canterbury.
Born in Christchurch and growing up in West Eyreton, Kellie now lives in Sefton with her two cats, Gus and Eva, where there is always something to do around the house!
Leanne Bisseker
Large Animal Technician
Leanne has been a valued member of our team since 2018, bringing both expertise and compassion to her role as a Vet Tech. Born and raised locally in Eyreton, Leanne has a strong connection to the community and a deep understanding of the unique needs of the animals she cares for.
With a keen interest in reproduction work and overall animal health, Leanne is dedicated to providing the highest standard of care to every patient she encounters. Her hands-on experience and commitment to ongoing learning make her an essential part of our veterinary team.
Outside of work, Leanne leads a busy but fulfilling life balancing family and fitness. She enjoys regular gym sessions while also cherishing time spent with her two children. At home, Leanne has a loyal and laid-back retired pig dog named Buck - a charming Greyhound-Labrador cross who enjoys the slower pace of house life.
Tanna Scott
Large Animal Rural Veterinary Technician
Tanna's work interests encompass teatsealing, dry cow management, calf debudding, and assisting the Veterinary team.
Away from the clinic, she finds joy in competing in Show Jumping, exploring the South Island with a roof tent, and delving into rural and wedding photography/videography.
Born in South Africa, Tanna moved to the North Island of New Zealand at the age of five where her passion for farming began. Beginning with calf rearing, Tanna's journey led her to Canterbury, where she pursued further education in the rural sector, which led to her joining the team on a casual basis in 2021, leading to a more permanent position in 2022.
Tanna shares her life with a vibrant array of animals, including two horses named Patrick and Berry, as well as two dogs named Nugget (a Jack Russell cross) and Odin (a French Bulldog). Both dogs eagerly join Tanna on weekend adventures, relishing quad bike rides and the great outdoors.
Rebecca Kreisel
Large Animal Support
Rebecca has a certificate in vet nursing and has been a familiar face at RVC since 2012
She has an interest in horses which carries on outside the clinic environment and extends to dressage and Shetland ponies, along with anything outdoors. She also has restored a classic 1978 Toyota Corolla which she enjoys driving.
Born in Christchurch and growing up in North Canterbury, she is married to Adam and together they have a gorgeous daughter, Lily. Extended close knit family members live pretty close by and they enjoy getting together as a family, along with Rebecca’s menagerie of pets including dogs Matilda, a pug cross, Bud a Jack Russell, Baldrick and Sunny the horses, Teddy the Shetland pony and Stoney who is Lily's pony, 7 sheep, 6 chooks and 3 goats.
Sacha Crawford
Large Animal Support
Sacha joined the Large Animal support team in 2018.
Outside the clinic environment, she loves spending time with her daughter and mucking about on their lifestyle block in West Eyreton which includes - horses, cows, sheep, dogs and a cat.
Sacha has travelled extensively and lived overseas, she is always happy to explore new cultures and has a keen interest in boxing, horse riding & exploring new places with friends.
Olivia Maat
Large Animal Support BSc Animal Science Major GradCertComm
Olivia started working at RVC as a Vet Technician in the Large Animal Team in early 2023, joined the Customer Service Team soon after, and is now back supporting the Large Animal and Equine teams. She has a strong interest in anything large animal and the dairy industry. She has newly completed her Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Science and Graduate Certificate in Commerce at Lincoln University.
Horses were a big part of her life growing up, competing in dressage at Prix St George. She is also interested in skiing, pottery, and going to the gym. Outside of the clinic she is rearing calves or spending time with her cat Lulu.