Hand, wrist & elbow only
From the elbow to the fingertips — we don't dilute focus. Every appointment goes to a registered hand therapist.
Now accepting new patients
ACC accredited
Since 2007
Hands back to doing the things that matter most.
Specialist physiotherapy for hand, wrist and elbow injuries — by New Zealand registered hand therapists with two decades of clinical experience across the Bay of Plenty.
- Years caring
- 18+
- Clinics
- 3
- Registered HTs
- 5
ACC telehealth
Free for eligible ACC patients — see a therapist from anywhere.
MPNZ · HTNZ registered
Who we work with
Trusted referral partners across the Bay of Plenty
Our approach
Specialist hands.
Specialist hands.
Considered care.
Bay Hand Therapy was founded in February 2007 by Danielle Ellis, who returned to her hometown to bring specialist hand therapy to the Western Bay of Plenty. Eighteen years on, we're a five-strong team treating injuries from the elbow to the fingertips — with the time, equipment and post-graduate training to do it properly.
Post-graduate trained
Evidence-based
Surgeon-aligned
Post-graduate training
Our clinical team holds advanced certification through Hand Therapy New Zealand and AUT, plus Masters-level qualifications.
ACC made simple
We complete ACC claim forms on your behalf for accident-related injuries — including visitors to New Zealand.
Surgeon-aligned
Close working relationships with hand surgeons, GPs and other physios mean coordinated post-surgical care.
Self-referrals welcome
Book yourself in
No GP referral needed.
Book yourself in directly. We accept referrals from surgeons and doctors — and self-referrals from people who just want it sorted.
What we do
Four pillars of hand therapy care.
From the first detailed assessment through custom splinting and post-surgical rehab — care that's matched to where you actually are.
01
Initial assessment
Hand & upper limb assessment
On your first appointment we perform a comprehensive assessment — taking a detailed verbal history and a physical examination of the affected limb. From there we agree a working diagnosis, a treatment plan and a clear set of goals together.
- ●Verbal history taking
- ●Physical examination
- ●Working diagnosis
- ●Treatment planning & goals
04
Telehealth
Telehealth consultations
ACC-covered telehealth available at no charge for eligible patients — wherever you live in New Zealand.
Call 07 577 9790 to arrange
03
Treatment
Treatment modalities
Treatment is a range of evidence-based interventions tailored to your specific condition and goals. Follow-up appointments combine reassessment with hands-on treatment.
- ●Custom thermoplastic splinting & bracing
- ●Swelling control
- ●Range of motion exercises
- ●Passive stretches
- ●Joint mobilisations
- ●Soft tissue techniques
- ●Strengthening exercises
- ●Activity modification
- ●Wound & scar management
- ●Advice & education
02
Conditions
Injuries we treat
Elbow to fingertips — including post-surgical care for both elective and trauma surgery.
Sprains & strains
Fractures
Lacerations
Tendon repairs
Tendonitis
Nerve injuries
Amputations
Replantations
Crush injuries
Burns
Arthritis
Gradual process
Post-surgical Dupuytren's release
Meet your therapists
Five registered hand therapists. One focus.
Every clinical team member is registered with both Physiotherapy New Zealand (MPNZ) and Hand Therapy New Zealand (HTNZ).
Founder · Director
Hand Therapist / Director
Danielle Ellis
BPhysio (Otago, with credit) · MPNZ · HTNZ
Danielle graduated from Otago University with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (with credit) in 1997 and has 18 years of hand therapy experience. She completed a junior rotation at Waikato Hospital in 1999, worked in UK hand trauma centres, then in Auckland private practice before establishing Bay Hand Therapy in 2007.
Nerve recovery
Wrist injuries
Complex finger fractures
Mike Ellis
Hand Therapist
BKin · BScPhysio (UBC) · MHPrac (1st Class Hons) · PGCert Western Acupuncture · MPNZ · HTNZ
Kinesiology degree with honours (Victoria, Canada), BScPhysio (UBC) and Masters in Health Practice (Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, First Class Honours, 2006). Registered hand therapist with 7+ years' experience; joined Bay Hand Therapy in 2010.
Sports injury rehab
Book with Mike
Evelyn Willmann
Hand Therapist
BPhysio (Otago) · Hand Therapy cert AUT · PGCert Acupuncture · MHPrac (Distinction) · MPNZ · HTNZ
Graduated from Otago University in 2003. Four years in hospital and private musculoskeletal physio, then Hand Therapy training at AUT in 2007. Masters in Health Practice with distinction. Joined Bay Hand Therapy in 2017.
Book with Evelyn
Susan Muspratt
Hand Therapist
BPhysio (AUT) · MHPrac inc. Hand Therapy cert (2018) · MPNZ · HTNZ
Graduated from AUT in 1997. Four years in acute hospital paediatrics, volunteered in Cambodia, then private hand therapy. Masters in Health Practice (2018) including Hand Therapy certification. 8 years' hand therapy experience; joined the team in 2018.
Trauma
Post-surgical
Paediatrics
Book with Susan
Kathryn Hay
Hand Therapist
BPhysEd · BPhysio (Otago) · Hand Therapy cert AUT · PGCert Ergonomics & Human Factors · MPNZ · HTNZ
Bachelor of Physical Education (Otago, 2001) followed by a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (2005). Worked in private practice physiotherapy before completing hand therapy training at AUT in 2016. Joined Bay Hand Therapy in 2022.
Book with Kat
Kyra May
Administrator / Receptionist
Kyra joined Bay Hand Therapy in 2016 and is the friendly face of the front desk — first to greet you and the person who'll get your appointment sorted.
Call front desk
Registrations
All clinical staff registered.
- MPNZ · Physiotherapy New Zealand
- HTNZ · Hand Therapy New Zealand
- ACC Provider · co-payment model
- Southern Cross · Easy-Claim
Transparent fees
What it costs.
Most patients pay only a small ACC co-payment. Private fees are listed in full — no surprises after the appointment. Additional charges may apply for splinting materials.
Southern Cross Easy-Claim accepted
ACC claims
Most common
Accepted ACC claim
For accident-related injuries. We complete the claim forms on your behalf.
- Initial visit co-payment
- $40
- Follow-up visit
- $30/visit
- ACC telehealth consult
- Nil
Private visits
No ACC claim
Private fee
For non-accident referrals or where ACC cover doesn't apply.
- Private initial consultation
- $168
- Private follow-up visit
- $126/visit
Additional charges may apply for splinting materials. Southern Cross Easy-Claim available.
Visiting New Zealand?
Visitors to New Zealand are covered by ACC for accident-related injuries. We can sort the paperwork for you.
Where to find us
Three Bay of Plenty clinics. Same standard of care.
Our main clinic is on Fraser Street, Tauranga, with satellite clinics in Katikati and Te Puna so you don't have to travel far.
Main clinic
Satellite
Directions
Katikati Clinic
Katikati Health Centre,
4 Clive Road, Katikati 3129
Satellite
Directions
Te Puna Clinic
Bespoke Physiotherapy,
4 Te Puna Road, Te Puna 3174
Get in touch
- 07 577 9790
- Email office
- Mon – Fri, hand therapy appointments
Ready when you are
Let's get your hand working the way it should.
Book online any time, or call the front desk if you'd rather have a chat first.