“Poipoia te kakano kia puawai”.
Nurture the seed and it will blossom
At the Paediatric Collective, we believe every child has unique strengths and the potential to thrive and flourish. We work alongside children and families in a supportive partnership, valuing everyone’s input. By recognising the expertise that we all bring including the child and family together we create personalised pathways that build everyday skills into strong foundations for lifelong growth and ability.
Guided by Compassion, Driven by Potential
Occupational Therapy
Physiotherapy Support
Personalised Plans
Enabling and supporting infants and children to engage, master and participate in everyday routines and tasks within their varied environments.
We use task analysis and clinical reasoning frameworks from a systems perspective including processing of sensory, motor, cognitive, physiological, and social emotional information. We meet and match the child where they are at in playful and meaningful interactions.
Physical therapy sessions turn purposeful play into progress by staying focused on each child's unique goals. We integrate all body systems, ensuring that their entire physical well-being is supported. By combining a deep understanding of child development with careful observation and analysis, we support your child's body and muscles to help them grow, move, and thrive.
Collaborative planning and goal setting that put children and their families at the heart of the journey.
Our clinical approach to paediatric therapy.
We focus on each child’s potential, using connection, coaching, therapeutic knowledge and insight to understand family concerns. Guided by clinical reasoning, we make every interaction purposeful and engaging. Every child’s journey is unique, and we support a wide range of needs and abilities.
This includes partnering with families to support children as they navigate:
• Cerebral Palsy and other neurodevelopmental conditions including Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
• Global Developmental Delay (GDD)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Developmental Coordination Disorder/ Dyspraxia
• Sensory Processing Disorder
• Toe walking
• Torticollis
• Prematurity and babies with delayed milestones
• Joint hypermobility
• Respiratory conditions and airway clearance
• Bladder and bowel dysfunction, including toilet training, enuresis, encopresis and constipation.
Getting to Know Your Child
We begin by understanding your child's unique world through comprehensive assessments and meaningful consultation with your family.
Planning Together
Every child is different. Together with the child and family we develop therapy goals.
Working Together in Sessions
Our therapy sessions are playful and purposeful, involving parents as active partners to ensure skills translate from clinical settings to the home.
Supporting Ongoing Growth
We continuously monitor progress, adapting goals as your child evolves to ensure they reach their fullest potential.
At the Paediatric Collective we use the F-words as a foundational framework to hear what is important for the child and family.
The "F-words" developed by CanChild (specifically Dr’s Rosenbaum and Gorter) are a framework for rethinking childhood disability to focus on strengths and holistic development rather than just medical deficits. The six key Favourite words are Functioning, Family, Fitness, Fun, Friends, and Future.
The clinicians behind your child's journey.
The Paediatric Collective is a group of child therapists who work independently but collaborate closely with one another and the wider paediatric community. This approach allows us to share knowledge, coordinate care, and provide the best possible support for your child and family.
Merryn Robertson
Physiotherapist with a special interest in paediatrics
NZRP
With over 20 years of experience and a Masters in Physiotherapy, Merryn is a highly skilled physiotherapist dedicated to helping children thrive. She graduated in South Africa in 2004, registered in New Zealand since 2008, she brings a wealth of expertise in paediatric neurology, respiratory health, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and developmental conditions—including Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, and Autism. Merryn is passionate about pain free movement as a child grows into teenage and young adult life. Merryn is Bobath trained (2005) and is currently on the Bobath Tutor Trainee Pathway.
Merryn is deeply involved in the NZ clinical community and wider abroad through the Wired Collective, recently finishing in the role as the Chairperson in the Physiotherapy New Zealand Paediatric Special Interest Group. She is still actively helping to organize courses for therapists, and contributing to national working groups. Whether she is working in a clinic, a school, or the family home, Merryn’s focus is always on combining "fun" with "potential." She works closely with whānau to ensure every child reaches their unique goals through evidence-based, compassionate care.
Arul Hamill
Occupational therapist with a special interest in paediatrics
NZROT
Arul brings over 30 years of experience working with babies and children.
Arul grew up in Fiji, trained in Aotearoa New Zealand and has worked in many settings including Child Development teams, Therapy for Children (ACC), school learning support unit, private practice and then conceived the idea and co-founded Paediatric OT Ltd.
Arul is passionate about valuing the voice of infants, children and their families. She journeys alongside families in Aotearoa New Zealand and some Pacific Islands supporting infants and children to engage and participate in everyday routines and tasks within their varied environments. She uses task analysis and clinical reasoning frameworks in fun and playful ways.
Arul has experience in assessment and intervention within paediatric developmental delay, congenital syndromes, cerebral palsy, head injuries including shaken baby syndrome, prematurity, learning disability, neurological conditions, autism, environmental (equipment) and postural supports, and cross cultural support.
Arul works alongside families and teachers in diverse settings in the community including preschools, schools, and family homes alongside a clinic setting.
Arul has taught, educated and supervised in New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, South Africa and the UK. Current teaching includes Perceive, Recall, Plan and Perform (PRPP) courses for which Arul is one of the team of certified instructors in Aotearoa.
Sally Parton
Physiotherapist with a special interest in paediatrics
NZRP
Sally is an Australian trained physiotherapist who graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the University of Queensland in 1994 and brings to her role over 25 years of experience. She has worked in Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. More than 20 years of Sally’s career has been dedicated to working within the area of paediatrics. She is passionate about working with all children from infancy to school age, and their families.
Sally has a special interest in the birth – preschool years age group, understanding the importance of early intervention for babies and toddlers who may be delayed in their development; and brings experience and dedication to working with children with bladder and bowel dysfunction, congenital, neurological and developmental conditions.
Sally has worked in many settings including clinics, homes, and community settings such as day cares, play groups and schools. She values collaborative working with the family and others in the child’s life. Her approach is centred around creating a warm and child friendly atmosphere where the children feel comfortable and safe to engage; and where families feel heard and connected.
Ursula Gee
Occupational therapist with a special interest in paediatrics
NZROT
Ursula has over 22 years paediatric experience and is passionate about empowering young people and their families to reach their goals. She has worked in child rehabilitation and management since 2005 within a variety of environments including clinic, home and school. Ursula has experience in the assessment and management of children and young people with conditions including Traumatic and Acquired brain injuries, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Specific Learning Disorders, Developmental Coordination Disorders (DCD), Sensory Processing Difficulties, Cerebral Palsy, Neurological Conditions, Neuromuscular Conditions, Down Syndrome and Global Developmental Delay. Ursula also has experience in children’s bladder and bowel dysfunction.
Ursula is committed to supporting children and their families to have fun, develop friendships, and gain functional skills at home or school. She works collaboratively with other services and specialists to optimise each child’s well-being and ensure cultural and family needs are met.