New Brighton Healthcare team
Active Health Christchurch
Meet the team at New Brighton Health Care
Helping you to be the best you can be
Julia Oppert
Podiatrist
About Me
BHSc (Pod)
Juls qualified as a podiatrist in 2017 and relocated from the North Island to Christchurch to join the Active Health team. Her clinical interests include ACC-related and overuse injuries, paediatrics, and general podiatric care. She enjoys the variety that podiatry offers and the opportunity to work with people of all ages, creating tailored treatment plans to suit each individual’s needs and goals.
With a background in competitive sport, having represented Waikato in both waterpolo and netball, Juls has developed a strong appreciation for the physical demands placed on the body and a particular interest in injury prevention and rehabilitation. This sporting background gives her keen insight into lower limb biomechanics and sports-related injuries.
Juls chose a career in podiatry because she’s passionate about helping people of all ages stay active, healthy, and pain-free. Being able to support someone’s mobility and overall wellbeing is incredibly rewarding, and it’s what she loves most about her work.
Juls is based at Active Health’s Eastern Hub in New Brighton as well as the main clinic on Manchester Street, bringing her enthusiasm and expertise to both locations.
Outside the clinic, Juls keeps active through running and Pilates, and enjoys spending time at the beach, travelling, and discovering new cafés and restaurants. If she had to eat one meal for the rest of her life, it would hands down be sushi – fresh, delicious, and satisfying!
Vy Nguyen
Podiatrist
About Me
BHSc (Pod)
Vy has a background in General Medicine and completed a Bachelor of Health Science (Podiatry) in New Zealand in 2022. His passion lies in improving foot health and helping individuals maintain their mobility and activity levels. He has participated in many multidisciplinary programs to provide a holistic approach to patients with sports injuries or chronic foot conditions, such as diabetes. He received a scholarship from Arthritis New Zealand to conduct and successfully publish his first research about provision of podiatry services to people living with arthritis in 2022.
Outside of work, Vy is an adventurer who has achieved advanced scuba open water diving certification and can dive up to 40 meters deep in the ocean. He also conquered Everest Base Camp (5364m) in 2018.
Jessica Machado da Cruz
Podiatrist
About Me
BHSc (Pod)
Jessica gained her Bachelor of Health Science in Podiatry from Auckland University of Technology and moved to Christchurch to join the Active Health team. She enjoys all aspects of podiatry including general nail and skin care, diabetic foot care, biomechanical and sports-related injuries, and ingrown toenail surgeries. Jessica tailors her treatment approach to each individual and enjoys helping a wide range of people – from everyday foot care needs to more complex musculoskeletal concerns.
Prior to becoming a podiatrist, Jessica worked at a custom orthotic manufacturing company, giving her a strong understanding of the orthotic fabrication process that has been invaluable in designing orthotics that are both comfortable and effective for her patients.
Jessica has always been drawn to healthcare and wanted a career where she could make a real difference. Podiatry stood out because it’s hands-on, specialised, and impactful – helping people walk pain-free and manage chronic conditions. She finds it rewarding knowing she can improve mobility, prevent complications, and enhance quality of life.
Jessica is based at both the main clinic on Manchester Street and the New Brighton clinic, bringing her expertise to multiple locations.
Born in the Netherlands with a Portuguese dad and South African mum, Jessica spent most of her childhood living in Doha, Qatar, before moving to New Zealand to study. Having grown up all over the world – including time in Dubai, Qatar, and Europe – she brings a global perspective to her practice.
In her free time, Jessica enjoys going for runs on the beach and baking for her family and friends. If she could only eat one meal for the rest of her life, it would be a protein yoghurt bowl with fresh fruit and granola – because it feels like dessert but it’s healthy!
Ash Turner
Physiotherapist
About Me
BPhty
Ash graduated from Otago University with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and has since completed both a dry needling course and ICIR Level 2 (Immediate Care in Rugby) certification. After finishing her placement in Christchurch, she decided to stay in the city and now works with Active Health, having ventured north from her Southland roots.
Ash practices general physiotherapy but has a particular passion for sports rehabilitation and helping those in physically demanding jobs return to their everyday activities. Growing up on a family farm in Moss burn, she was surrounded by people whose work pushed their bodies to the limit. That background gave her a deep appreciation for physical resilience and a strong understanding of how to support recovery when injuries occur.
Her interest in physiotherapy is driven by a love of helping people, a fascination with the human body, and a lifelong enthusiasm for movement and exercise. For Ash, it’s the perfect blend of personal passions and professional purpose – every day offers a new challenge, the chance to make a difference, and an opportunity to keep learning.
Ash has over five years’ experience in rugby physiotherapy, currently supporting the Belfast Division 1 team and previously working with the St Thomas First XV. Her dual background in farming and sports gives her insight into the physical demands of both lifestyles, and she draws on her own sporting experiences to help clients return to activity with confidence.
A keen athlete herself, Ash grew up playing netball, rugby, and athletics, fostering a love for the outdoors and active living that continues to shape her approach to physiotherapy. In her spare time, she enjoys playing netball, going for runs, hitting the gym, and spending summer days enjoying water sports with family and friends. She also loves early morning walks, good coffee, and cheering on the rugby.
If Ash could have any superpower, it would be teleportation – or the ability to be in two places at once. With her family and partner still based in Southland, she’d love to get the best of both worlds by splitting her time between her Southland roots and her awesome Chch clients. Being able to instantly connect with loved ones and explore the world all at once would be, in her words, “the dream.”
Bernice Lau
Physiotherapist
About Me
MScPT
Bernice graduated from the University of Toronto (Canada) with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy. She began her career in Toronto, working across a broad range of settings including private practice and rehabilitation hospitals. She has treated a variety of patient populations, including those recovering from neurological injuries/conditions and various musculoskeletal and sports injuries.
Her treatment approach focuses on using tailored exercise programming, along with a combination of manual therapy and modalities such as dry needling. Her aim is to provide a holistic model of care, and to empower patients in playing an active role in their recovery. Outside of work, Bernice enjoys spending time in the outdoors – hiking, rock climbing and snowboarding, travelling, and exploring the food scene wherever she goes.
Ashley Briscoe
Pelvic Health / Cancer Rehabilitation Physiotherapist
About Me
BHSc, BPhTh (Credit), Cert Pain Mgmt, DipHlthSc, CEAP Cert, APPI Matwork L1, APPI Pre/Postnatal Pilates, Pinc & Steel Cert
Ashley has a strong background in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and has developed a passion for pelvic health and pain management. She studied at Otago University before heading to Auckland for better weather, where she started working in pelvic health. After a few years up north, she returned home to Christchurch.
Ashley has completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Continence Management and Pain and is currently working towards her Master’s in Pain Management. She loves helping both men and women regain confidence, improve their quality of life, and return to the activities that they enjoy!
Ashley specializes in back and hip issues, postpartum recovery, bladder and bowel incontinence, prolapse, and pelvic pain, and she can fit pessaries for prolapse and stress incontinence. She also works in cancer rehabilitation, supporting people with fatigue, mobility, and scar tissue management.
When she’s not working or studying, Ashley enjoys reading and spending time with her dogs.
Judy Forward
Reception
About Me
Judy works part time between our New Brighton and Manchester Street clinics.
She attends her Aqua Fit classes most days and love to tandem bike ride with her husband and travel in their caravan.
Deb Woodfield
Reception
About Me
Deb is one of our lovely receptionists, working across both our New Brighton and Manchester Street clinics. A long-time East Christchurch local, she now enjoys the coastal lifestyle in Waimairi Beach, where she loves spending time outdoors gardening or walking the nearby tracks. She also enjoys reading, music, and has recently taken up watercolour painting.
Deb previously worked with us from 2005 to 2013, and we’re absolutely thrilled to have her back on the team!
Make an appointment today
Find a time that suits you and book an appointment online using our booking system. If you are not sure who to see, give us a call and we can help find the best clinician for you.