| 61 Continuing a legacy that spans decades The practice operates across two complementary branches of work: Luke and Ben run the farm-animal side with Debbie and Fiona leading the companion-animal service. Karen Phelps RURAL SERVICES » Kamo Veterinary Ltd Kamo Vets has entered a new chapter with the long-established clinic now in the hands of four veterinarians who have each worked within it for many years. Ben Irwin, his wife Debbie, and fellow vets Fiona and Luke (Lurch) Goodin took over the practice outright in 2024, continuing a legacy that spans decades in the Whangarei region. “It is very much business as usual for our farming clients,” says Ben. “Farmers can be assured of the same great service they’ve always enjoyed. The transition has been seamless because we’ve all worked here for years and understand exactly what our community expects from us.” The practice operates across two complementary branches of work: Luke and Ben run the farmanimal side with Debbie and Fiona leading the companion-animal service. All are experienced veterinarians and all are committed to maintaining the personal, relationship-focused model that has long set the clinic apart. “We are very much a small family-owned private practice,” says Ben. “A lot of the veterinary industry has become corporatised but we’re able to offer a more personal service with genuinely engaged vets. We give our staff autonomy to make decisions and the flow-on effect for clients is continuity of care from people who know their animals and their businesses well.” Both Luke and Ben bring farming backgrounds that strengthen that connection. Luke grew up on a dairy farm in Taranaki and Ben was raised on a kiwifruit orchard in Pukekohe. “It gives us a deeper understanding of our farmers’ needs,” says Ben. “We know what it means to rely on good advice, quick response times and vets who genuinely care.” The practice provides farmers with the full range of farm-animal services from routine procedures and reproductive work to transition cow management, mastitis control, dry-cow therapy, animal health plans and on-farm surgeries. It carries out animal-health planning, seasonal disease monitoring such as facial eczema spore counts and offers emergency call-outs 24 hours a day. Its fleet of fully equipped vehicles allows most procedures to be carried out on-farm, ensuring efficient and stress-minimising treatment. “We want to provide good old-fashioned service where there is a tight bond between vet and farmer,” says Ben. “Clients aren’t just numbers; they’re people we invest in and work alongside.” As well as its large-animal services the practice provides comprehensive care for household pets maintaining the same principles of compassion, professional expertise and competitive pricing. “We know people have plenty of choice when it comes to animal care,” says Ben. “We will never take that custom for granted.” Located at 3 Springs Flat Road, Kamo, the clinic remains a key veterinary partner in the region, supporting farm animals and pets six days a week, with opening hours designed to accommodate busy rural schedules. “Our aim is simply to continue as a fully familyowned private practice offering a caring, reliable and comprehensive service for all animals, great or small. Staying locally owned allows us to keep doing exactly that.” Reduce antibiotic usage by 22% WORLD-FIRST CATTLE DRENCH PROGRAMME STAGE 1 Parasite coverage + Coccidiosis Ultimate parasite coverage STAGE 2 Rain-resistant coverage + Lice control STAGE 3 PROUD TO SUPPORT KAMO VETS PROUDLY NZ OWNED Visit www.alleva.co.nz for more information. TURBO® is a registered trademark of Alleva Animal Health Ltd. TURBO Pour-on (A011722), TURBO Injection (A011742), TURBO Initial (A011703) TURBO Minidose (A011937) and TURBO Advance (A011714) are registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997. See www.foodsafety.govt.nz for registration conditions.
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