Meet Our Team

'When passion meets precision'

At Takanini Physio, we’re proud to have a dedicated and experienced team committed to helping our community move better, feel better, and live better.

Sean Smit 

Senior Physiotherapist 

I got interested in Physiotherapy after a stint of injuries kept me from playing. These encounters left me intrigued by what else Physiotherapy could do to help people I started my journey to becoming a Physiotherapist.

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I have found a career in Physiotherapy not just a job. Any time you are able to rid others of pain or help them achieve a goal they thought they never could is one of the most rewarding feelings there is. That is why I love the job, the fact that I can help people start to use “I can” rather than “I can’t”.

I have a very keen interest in sports Physiotherapy and rehabilitation as this is what first brought me to the profession. I enjoy being under pressure from coaches to keep their star players on the pitch as this pushes me to keep up with advancement of rehab strategies and protocols.

Courtney Razak

Senior Physiotherapist / Pelvic Health Physiotherapist

Raised and schooled in South Auckland, I am enthusiastic and proud to be giving back to the community that I feel so passionately towards.

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I graduated from AUT in 2014 with a BHSc (Physiotherapy). I am a passionate musculoskeletal physiotherapist with a special interest in sports & post-operative rehabilitation. I believe in a combined approach of manual therapy and exercise prescription to ensure people meet their rehabilitation goals so they can get back to enjoying whatever their lifestyle entails.

Ever since having children of my own, I realised that there is a huge need for pelvic health physiotherapists within our industry, so I have gone on to do further training and have become qualified in pelvic health physiotherapy.

My vision:

– to empower women by educating them about their bodies and what they are capable of
– to ensure a safe, comfortable & healthy pregnancy
– to help with recovery following childbirth and post partum
– to provide evidence based exercise and advice

I have an extensive knowledge base and experience in musculoskeletal physiotherapy which I use alongside pelvic health. I personally really enjoy mentoring our junior staff and I love continuing to learn about all things physio!

Carolyn Seth

Practice Manager 

I have lived in South Auckland most of my life, apart from some stints living and working overseas.

My career has mostly been in Customer Service, with the past 15 years in a variety of Medical fields working in Corporate and Private practices.

I believe in building relationships with clients and colleagues and making a warm and welcoming environment so you will return to see us again, even if it is to say hello.

Outside Takanini Physiotherapy, my husband and I belong to a Car Club, love travelling, socialising and spending quality family time with our 2 adult daughters and their partners.

Adrian Chong

Physiotherapist 

Hey I’m Adrian

I was first introduced to the world of Physiotherapy during my time as a competitive swimmer. Throughout the years, I’ve experienced not being able to do the things I was passionate about, to the same extent I knew I was capable of, which was definitely difficult to come to terms with at times.

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But through my experiences of seeing and feeling the effects of Physiotherapy first hand, really got me interested into diving deeper and beginning my journey as a Physiotherapist.

I have a keen interest in Sports Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation and anything sports-related as that’s what drove me to becoming a Physiotherapist. I enjoy seeing people being able to celebrate their progress and achieve their goals, no matter how big or small they may be. That is what motivates me to continue to be a curious learner and further develop my skills.

Outside of work, I enjoy getting up before the crack of dawn to get into the gym, travelling overseas and spending time to watch sports (Go Timberwolves).

Shriram Balachandran

Physiotherapist 

Hi, I’m Shriram,

My friends like to call me Ram (like ‘Ram-en’ noodles in case u weren’t sure how to pronounce that). A proud Aucklander born and raised, and studied a Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy) at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) in 2024. My passion for physiotherapy stems from a lifelong involvement in sport — growing up, I played competitive cricket and badminton at both school and club levels, and enjoyed my time on the field with football and hockey over the years.

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These experiences gave me a strong appreciation for the importance of injury prevention, recovery, and performance, which naturally led me to pursue a career in physiotherapy. I am particularly interested in combining pre-habilitation and rehabilitation techniques, tailoring each plan to the individual’s goals, and helping athletes return to their sport stronger and more resilient after injury.

My approach to physiotherapy is holistic. I look at the bigger picture of health and well-being while focusing on recovery and enhancing overall movement and function. I’m committed to using the latest evidence-based treatment methods and exercise prescriptions to deliver the best possible patient outcomes. Whether you’re chasing a return to competitive sport or simply aiming to move better and feel stronger, I’m here to help guide you every step of the journey (and hopefully have a little fun along the way)!

Our Philosophy

We believe in delivering physiotherapy with empathy, expertise, and evidence-based care. Our team works closely together to ensure every patient receives personalised and effective treatment.