Our Team

Amy Cram – Director

Amy graduated from AUT in Auckland in 2005 and has worked as a physiotherapist in a variety of hospital and private practice settings throughout Australia and the UK, and has travelled to over 70 countries.
Amy returned home after travelling and has dedicated the past few years setting up a physiotherapy service to smaller rural areas that would otherwise not have this service available. Physio Direct now has clinics in over 12 rural locations in both the North and South Island.
She is dedicated to bringing under serviced communities the services they are entitled to.
Amy’s passion is to help underdeveloped areas and is looking forward to further expanding Physio Direct regionally and internationally to help many more communities who have limited services.

Marelize Ferreira – Physiotherapy Manager

Marelize recently joined the Physio Direct team from South Africa with her husband and two young girls.

She has worked in various sports practices, orthopedic and musculoskeletal clinics through her career. For the last nine years she has owned a private physiotherapy practice in Pretoria that focused on a multi-disciplinary team approach for patients with chronic pain, arthritis, musculoskeletal injuries, work related injuries and sports injuries.

She has a passion for helping people in pain and enjoys educating patients about their amazing bodies and facilitating the healing process.  Hands-on treatment and exercise form the cornerstone of her treatment approach.

When not at work she enjoys running and spending time out-doors with her family.

Alison Huntley – Administrator Napier

Alison has many years of medical reception experience and loves seeing people improve with their physio treatment.  She loves living in the Hawke’s Bay with her family; spending time with family and friends, renovating their property and taking their adopted retired greyhound for walks.

Leigh Burling – Accounts Administrator

Leigh joined the Physio Direct team in April 2018 in an administrative capacity, moving into an Accounts role in early 2019. Originally from Ngongotaha, Leigh now lives in rural Tauranga, fitting work around her young family.

Her background includes administration across a variety of sectors, early childhood education and science.

Outside of work, Leigh enjoys exploring the beautiful beaches and parks around the Bay of Plenty with her family.

Sheryl Rumbal – Administration Manager

Over the past 20 years, Sheryl has worked in General Practice and then moving into Occupational medicine where she managed a small team and conducted audio screening and drug testing.

Sheryl enjoys working in the health sector and understands how important physiotherapy is in the rehabilitation process, so people can move forward pain-free into their day.

In her personal time, she enjoys walking, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, gaining her 200 hour Yoga teaching training in 2020, along with reading and baking and spending time with her family.

Elizabeth Ratcliffe – Physiotherapist

Elizabeth is an experienced physiotherapist with a special interest in musculoskeletal and orthopaedic injuries. She also has a special interest in chronic pain. She is passionate about physiotherapy  ran her own private practice and Pilates studio in South Africa for 14 years. She enjoys group exercise classes and intergrating patients back into society.

Elizabeth enjoys Pilates, tennis and walking.

Matthew Ratcliffe – Physiotherapist

Matthew is an experienced physiotherapist with a passion for sports injuries, orthopaedics and chronic pain. He enjoys teaching back care classes and educating his patients about their conditions. Matthew has a passion for working with sports teams and challenging himself with new technologies. In his spare time you can find Matthew mountain biking, hiking, fishing, hunting or out in the general outdoors.

Bridget Lodge – Physiotherapist

Bridget graduated from the University of Otago in 2007 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy. Bridget values a holistic approach to physiotherapy and creating personalised rehab plans with her clients. Outside of work Bridget leads an active lifestyle and thrives on supporting people to get back to doing what they love too.

Naomi Potgieter – Accounts Manager

Naomi joined Physio Direct in May 2022 as Financial Manager.

She and her family moved from South-Africa to NZ in 2020 and they are excited to explore the whole country and make this their new home. Finances is what she is good at, but she prefers to start her day by being active in the fresh outdoors. Her hobbies will send her to the mountains either by mountain bike or trail running or hiking with the family. Mountain bike stage races is what excites her most.

Lane Malan – Physiotherapist

Lane is originally from South Africa where she worked in a hospital and out-patient setting. With a background in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and specialised training in women’s and pelvic health in New Zealand, Lane Malan is a dedicated advocate for women’s wellbeing as well as anyone struggling with pelvic related problems. Her approach is defined by a deep commitment to building trust with patients, addressing sensitive topics with compassion and providing tailored, high-quality care by creating a safe and open environment. Lane empowers her clients to navigate their pelvic health journey with confidence and empowerment.

Outside of work Lane is adventurous and likes outdoor activities like mountain biking, hiking and swimming.

Barbara Vente – Physiotherapist

Barbara’s passion is to empower people with skills and knowledge to manage their unique conditions. She is originally from Namibia and qualified in South Africa.

She worked in rural South Africa and private practice in Namibia. This has given her varied experience in treating musculoskeletal, orthopaedic, cardiac and pulmonary conditions. She has developed a love for treating children and adults with neurological disorders.

When not working, Barbara enjoys spending time in nature and being active. Her enthusiasm for the movement she has shared by giving Pilates classes.

Muhammad Saqeef (Saqeef) – Physiotherapist

Saqeef, an accomplished physiotherapist originally from Pakistan, possesses extensive expertise in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, showcasing a dedicated and compassionate approach to patient care. With a rich background in helping individuals recover from various musculoskeletal issues, Saqeef brings valuable skills to his practice. He excels in effective communication with patients, ensuring a holistic understanding of their needs and concerns. Saqeef’s personalized treatment approach reflects not only his clinical proficiency but also his ability to tailor therapeutic interventions to the unique requirements of each individual. Beyond his professional pursuits, Saqeef is an avid traveler and explorer, expressing a keen interest in experiencing diverse cultures and environments. Whether it’s watching cricket or soccer, he finds joy in recreational activities that complement his active lifestyle. Inspired by a commitment to bringing essential physiotherapy services to underserved communities, Saqeef channels his passion and expertise to contribute positively to areas in need, striving to enhance healthcare accessibility and make a meaningful impact on the lives of those he serves.

Blessed Vhudzjena – Physiotherapist

Blessed is a physiotherapist passionate about advocacy for people living with disability. Studying physiotherapy changed the way he relates to the world in terms of health and well-being. He is motivated to make a difference in and around his community using his knowledge and skills to enable pain free movement and activities. He is also open-minded and always willing to learn from clients and colleagues. He has a particular interest in research and MSK physiotherapy. Outside of his clinical obligations he enjoys taking walks, hiking and traveling.

Henry Hallatt – Physiotherapist

Apart from being a sport fanatic Henry loves working with people and being a part of their journey to health. Henry is a passionate physiotherapist who believes in the power of hard work and consistency to ensure desirable results. Henry has 5 years experience in both a hospital and private practice setting where he has learned how to manage patients with different needs, from musculoskeletal conditions to cardiopulmonary and post surgical rehabilitation.

Henry loves cooking but not as much as eating good food. He enjoys the outdoors especially going for a run. Henry can also wind down with a book featuring a hobbit or two.

Tobi Agbolade – Physiotherapist

Tobi is a Nigerian from South Africa. He aspires to develop professional expertise in the physiotherapy field with strong interest in sports, MSK, orthopedics and cardiopulmonary. Has the ability to work in a dynamic environment and is willing to acquire new knowledge. He takes pride in delivering effective treatment to people, educating and prescribing self management exercises that are patient specific to return people back to performing their activities of daily living with outcomes achieved.

Outside work, he enjoys playing and watching football, gym, cooking and spending time outdoors.

Benish Shahzadi – Physiotherapist

Isaac Yagobu – Physiotherapist

Isaac is a motivated and passionate physiotherapist who graduated in India and spent a year working in private practice. Isaac mostly focused on geriatrics and enjoys bringing a smile to his patients at the end of treatment. He then moved to the United Kingdom and completed his Post Graduate Certificate in Sports Medicine. Isaac began his career in UK as a specialist MSK and offender health physiotherapist in prisons, hospitals and primary care networks across London and Kent for the past 1.7 years. Isaac has a particular interest in working with MSK and orthopaedic conditions and always adopts a person centred approach and tailors treatment plans based on the needs of the patients. Outside of work, Isaac enjoy spending time with his lovely wife. Isaac loves an active lifestyle and frequents the gym and the outdoors. Isaac also enjoys watching football and cricket.

Muhammad Zain – Physiotherapist

With over 7 years as the Head Practitioner and Physical Therapist at Shifa International Hospital, I have gained extensive experience in managing complex cases and leading a dedicated team of healthcare professionals. My role involved not only providing high-quality patient care but also developing treatment protocols and enhancing service delivery.

In addition to my hospital experience, I own a private clinic in Pakistan, where I focus on personalized rehabilitation and wellness strategies. This dual experience has enriched my clinical skills and allowed me to stay at the forefront of physiotherapy practices.

Outside of my professional life, I enjoy hunting, geocaching, and cooking. Hunting connects me with nature, while geocaching offers fun outdoor exploration. Cooking allows me to experiment with flavours and create nourishing meals. These hobbies enrich my life and enhance my focus and determination, which I bring into my practice to support my patients’ health and recovery.

Ahmad Khan – Physiotherapist

Ahmad Usama Ali Khan is a highly skilled physiotherapist with over seven years of professional experience across diverse settings, including clinics, hospitals, and community work. He holds a master’s degree from Belgium, specializing in neurological conditions, and has extensive expertise in musculoskeletal (MSK) rehabilitation. Ahmad’s international work experience spans Belgium, Dubai, and Pakistan, where he has worked with patients of all ages, helping them regain mobility and manage pain effectively. His comprehensive MSK and neurological experience allows him to provide tailored treatment plans that promote recovery and enhance the quality of life. Now based in New Zealand, Ahmad is committed to delivering exceptional care to his patients.

Lebogang Magagula – Physiotherapist

Lebo is a dedicated physiotherapist from South Africa who qualified in 2016 and has worked in different physiotherapy fields in both private and public sectors these includes hospital, community clinics and private outpatient clinics. She has a special interest in neuro-musculoskeletal conditions and had further training with the OMT course. She has a background in community healthcare which instilled interests in health prevention and promotion through education and/or training. She is a firm believer in a holistic treatment approach that is inclusive of collaborations with other professionals in multi-disciplinary teams.

Jude Obetta – Physiotherapist

Jude has a strong passion for helping patients achieve their rehabilitation goals. He has developed a keen interest in exercise programmes, manual therapy techniques, and education on proper posture and movement techniques. His approach to physiotherapy is centered around empowering patients to take an active role in their recovery and he strives to create a supportive and collaborative environment that fosters growth and independence. When working with clients, he emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practices and treatment plans to meet each individual’s unique needs and goals.

Moiz Anjum – Physiotherapist

Moiz is an experienced physiotherapist with a strong background in musculoskeletal care. Since graduating in 2017, he has worked in both reputable clinics and his own private practice in Pakistan. He is certified in dry needling, spinal, and peripheral manipulations, with a special interest in spinal techniques. Moiz is committed to helping his patients move better and feel stronger. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring nature, PC gaming, long drives and spending time with his family.

Nabira Izhar – Physiotherapist

Nabira is a dedicated physiotherapist with over 8 years of experience, specializing in orthopaedic manual therapy. She is passionate about helping patients recover from injuries, manage pain, and improve their physical function through personalised treatment plans and advanced mobilisation techniques. With a strong focus on injury prevention and patient education, Nabira is committed to empowering individuals to lead healthier, pain-free lives. Outside of work, Nabira loves to enjoy traveling and exploring new places

Sham’unu Abdu – Physiotherapist

Sham’unu is a highly motivated and experienced physiotherapist with over 7 years of hands-on clinical practice. His primary focus has been on treating patients with musculoskeletal and neurological injuries to enhance their quality of life. Proven expertise in manual therapy, exercise prescription, rehabilitation planning, and evidence-based practice. He is passionate about continuous learning, research, and professional development, with a strong background in mentoring students and junior physiotherapists Outside of clinical obligations I enjoy spending time outdoors with his family.

Abduljalil Maikarfe – Physiotherapist

Abdul is an exemplary MSK physiotherapist with a strong educational background holding a Masters in Orthopaedic Physiotherapy and also a Masters in Human Anatomy. He has over 10 years of work experience across public hospitals and private practice. His main focus is on ensuring exceptional evidence-based patient care and safety, contributing solutions to new challenges alongside continuous professional growth and self-reflection.
Originally from Nigeria, he enjoys the breathtaking natural beauty that the long white cloud offers.
Outside of work, I enjoy activities involving connecting with the nature and staying active with indoor workouts.

Kylie Karakia – Contract Coordinator