About Us

History of the Trust

The Physiotherapy Trust (PNZT) started in around 2005 by a dedicated group of prominent physiotherapists that realised that something needed to be done about the state of physiotherapy in New Zealand. One of its major functions to negotiate on behalf of all physiotherapists. Hence the PNZT was formed. The original Trustees of the Trust were at the time:

Malcolm Hood. Private practitioner, Physiotherapist All Blacks.

Jordan Salesa. Private practitioner, Head Physiotherapist New Zealand Olympic & Commonwealth Teams (2008, 2006), NZ Academy of Sport, Clinical Educator School of Physiotherapy AUT, President Auckland Private Practitioners Physiotherapy Association (APPPA), Trustee Total Healthcare Otara (PHO).

Murray Hing. Private practitioner, Physiotherapist Kiwi NZ Rugby League, NZ All Whites Soccer, NZ Tall Blacks Basketball, NZ Academy of Sport, Olympic and Commonwealth Games athletes provider, Clinical Educator School of Physiotherapy AUT, Past President North Shore Branch NZSP (10 years).

Dennis Shepherd. Physiotherapist All Blacks, Chiefs.

Chris Lapine. Private practitioner, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Champion.

Graeme Hayhow. Private practitioner, Physiotherapist New Zealand Māori Rugby, New Zealand All Whites, Athletics NZ.

Cam Green. Private practitioner, Spinal Specialist.

Karen Sutton. Private practitioner, Physiotherapist Samoan Rugby Football Union, NZ Women’s Basketball, Trustee Total Healthcare Otara (PHO).

Stan West. Company Manager, Former Officer NZSAS.

John Porteous. Businessman, Company Director.

Mike Lamont Chair and CEO Mangere Community Health Trust, Chair and CEO Mangere Health and Resources Trust, Chair of the Genesis Trust for NZ Police dealing with young offenders, Executive member of the PHO Alliance, Member of NSDP (National Systems Development Project Ministry of Health), Member of Governance group for NIR (National Immunisation Register), Member of the Governance Group for PPP (PHO Performance Program).

Sir William Birch: Patron.

They were an integral part of negotiations with various groups and worked with the main society of physiotherapists to help advocate for the profession. They were part of the 2007 physiotherapy enquiry, the Justice Goddard review and worked on negotiations with ACC to implement change.

The Trust has recognised and still recognises that Physiotherapy New Zealand (PNZ) is the main body of the profession. Recently, it is the opinion of the Trust, that PNZ is not doing all that it can to support physiotherapists in New Zealand. At times when PNZ is not seen by the Trust as doing everything that it can, the Trust steps up and volunteers to help physiotherapists.

The New Zealand Physiotherapy Trust [2007] Limited is still guided by many of the original members and has its own shareholders and constitution that ensures that only the interests of physiotherapy in New Zealand are protected. 

NEW ZEALAND PHYSIOTHERAPY TRUST LIMITED (8461907) is directed by Dr Benjamin Hinchcliff. He is a physiotherapist, previous President of Physiotherapy New Zealand, and a lawyer focusing on ACC and employment litigation. While most of his time is spent working in litigation, he still works as a physiotherapist and volunteers his time helping the Trust.