Our people

Areas of Practice

• General Radiology
• Abdominal Imaging
• Oncologic Imaging
• Gynaecology & Gynae Oncology Imaging
• Obstetric Ultrasound

Current Appointments

•  Middlemore Hospital – Body & Obstetrics and Gynae imaging
• Auckland City Hospital – Obstetric and Gynae imaging
• Radiologist Co lead Ultrasound governance at Middlemore
  

Dr Darshna Kasabia graduated from the University of Otago Medical School in 2007 and completed her radiology training in Auckland. After a six month fellowship in women’s imaging at Auckland Hospital she continued her work at both Auckland and Middlemore Hospitals, focusing on both Obstetrics & Gynaecology and General Radiology. Darshna is passionate about Women’s Imaging and alongside her roles at Auckland Radiology and the Auckland District Health Board she is also part of the Gynae Oncology Radiology team and is Radiologist co-lead for ultrasound at Middlemore Hospital.

Areas of Practice

• Paediatric Imaging
• General Radiology

Current Appointments

• Starship Children’s Hospital – Paediatric Radiologist

Dr Bonnie Leung joined Auckland Radiology in 2022 and is also a Consultant Paediatric Radiologist at Starship Children’s Hospital. After graduating from the University of Auckland Medical School, she completed her radiology training in Auckland. During this time, she achieved a Master of Health Science at the University of Auckland with First Class Honours. She then undertook further subspecialty fellowship training in paediatric imaging at Starship Children’s Hospital and Middlemore Hospital. Bonnie has continued her contribution to research and published in peer reviewed journals, whilst having an active role in radiology training and education. 

Areas of Practice

• General Radiology
• Musculoskeletal and Spinal Imaging
• Musculoskeletal and Spinal Procedures
• Rheumatology and Sports Medicine Radiology

Current Appointments

• Middlemore Hospital

Dr Glen Lightbody graduated from the University of Otago medical school in 2000 and completed his specialist radiology training in Auckland in 2008. He was the Auckland Radiology Group musculoskeletal fellow in 2009 prior to moving to Brisbane and gaining further experience in general radiology, musculoskeletal imaging, MRI and image-guided procedures. In 2018 he returned to ARG. Glen is also a consultant radiologist at Middlemore Hospital. He has a special interest in orthopaedic imaging, rheumatology and sports medicine as well as image-guided spinal and musculoskeletal procedures and is also currently involved in radiology registrar teaching.

Areas of Practice

• Musculoskeletal Imaging
• Musculoskeletal Procedures
• Abdominal Radiology

Current Appointments

• Radiologist, Auckland City Hospital

Lydia completed her medical degree at the University of Auckland in 2009, and undertook radiology training in Waikato, New Zealand, being awarded FRANZCR in 2017.

She has undertaken two Fellowships. In 2018 Lydia completed a Clinical Fellowship in Abdominal Imaging at the University of Toronto – Sunnybrook Health Science Centre. After returning to New Zealand Lydia undertook a Fellowship in Musculoskeletal Imaging at Auckland City Hospital, which she completed in 2024.

Areas of Practice

• Musculoskeletal Imaging
• Musculoskeletal Procedures
• General and Body Radiology

Current Appointments

• Consultant Interventional Radiologist – ADHB, Auckland

Dr Mladen Macanovic graduated from the Imperial College in London, UK and completed his radiology training at South West Peninsula Radiology Academy in the UK. Mladen completed an Interventional Radiology Fellowship in Canada in 2011 before returning to the UK to work as a consultant specialising in interventional radiology, vascular imaging studies and general body CT reporting. After moving to New Zealand in 2024, Mladen took up a role with Auckland Hospital where he continues to consult alongside his role with us.

Areas of Practice

• General Radiology
• Musculoskeletal and Spinal Imaging
• Musculoskeletal and Spinal Procedures
• Abdominal Imaging
• Neuroradiology

Current Appointments

• North Shore Hospital – Abdominal and General Radiologist
• North Shore Hospital – CT and Ultrasound Interventional Procedures
• North Shore Hospital – MRI Director

Dr Chris McKee is a radiologist at Auckland Radiology Group, alongside his role as a consultant at North Shore Hospital where he is the Director of MRI. After graduating from the University of Auckland School of Medicine he completed his Radiologist training in Auckland. Chris’ post graduate experience includes a 12 month MRI Fellowship at Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne followed by further experience in neuroradiology and body imaging at the Alfred Hospital.

Chris has a general radiology interest with over 20 years expertise in MRI and body imaging, abdominal imaging and image guided procedures.

Areas of Practice

• Body and Vascular Imaging
• Interventional and Vascular Procedures

Current Appointments

• Managing Radiologist, ARG Te Tai Tokerau Radiology
• Managing Radiologist, Auckland Radiology Group
• Managing Radiologist, Pacific Radiology Waikato
• Interventional Radiologist, Auckland City Hospital

With more than 20 years delivering quality healthcare, Dr Stephen Merrilees is ARG Te Tai Tokerau Radiology's Managing Radiologist/Medical Director and is also an Interventional Radiologist at Auckland City Hospital. Steve is an Otago University graduate who then completed Fellowships in Auckland, at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh, Scotland and in Melbourne, Australia.

While Steve is involved in all areas of body imaging and intervention, he has particular interest in Hepatobiliary and Vascular Imaging and Intervention. He has published in peer reviewed journals, co-written book chapters, and been involved in local and international meetings both as invited Faculty and Convenor. He has previously been the NZ branch representative of the Interventional Radiology Society of Australasia (IRSA); Australasian Committee member for the Asia Pacific Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology (APSCVIR) and NZ representative for the Conjoint Committee for the Recognition of Training in Peripheral Endovascular Therapy (CCRTPET). 

Areas of Practice

• Breast Imaging
• Body & Oncology Imaging
• Women’s Imaging
• Interventional Radiology

Dr Ria Minnie has more than 13 years’ experience as a radiologist and has been part of our ARG Te Tai Tokerau team since February 2024. Originally from South Africa, she moved to New Zealand in 2019 to work with the Northern District Health Board. Ria has a special interest in Breast Imaging, Body and Oncology, Interventions and Women’s Imaging.

Areas of Practice

• Musculoskeletal and Spinal Imaging
• Musculoskeletal and Spinal Procedures
• Bone and Soft Tissue Tumour Imaging and Intervention

Current Appointments

• Auckland City Hospital – General and Musculoskeletal Radiologist
• University of Auckland – Senior Lecturer

Dr Rhian Miranda has been with Auckland Radiology Group since 2015, alongside his role as consultant radiologist at Auckland City Hospital.

After graduating from the University of Auckland Medical School Rhian stayed on in Auckland to complete his radiology specialty training. He completed a fellowship at St Vincents Hospital, Melbourne, in 2013, focusing on bone and soft tissue sarcoma imaging and intervention.

Rhian is involved in orthopaedic registrar teaching, as well as teaching at the University of Auckland. He regularly participates in the regional ‘Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma Multidisciplinary Meetings’ and has a further interest in musculoskeletal intervention including image-guided treatment and diagnostic procedures.

Areas of Practice

• Neuroradiology
• Body Imaging
• General Radiology

Current Appointments

• North Shore & Waitākere Hospital – General Radiologist
• North Shore & Waitākere Hospital – Deputy Clinical Director

Dr Rob Mitchell graduated from the University of Otago Medical School and completed his Radiology training in Auckland. He completed fellowships in Neuroradiology at Auckland Hospital and MRI at North Shore Hospital, and then began as a Consultant Radiologist at North Shore Hospital in 2012. Rob is currently Deputy Clinical Director at North Shore Hospital and Waitākere Hospital, and was previously CT Team Leader for 5 years and Education Team Leader for 3 years. Amongst other interests at North Shore Hospital, Rob has been a passionate advocate for improving rapid access to advanced stroke imaging in the Waitematā District. Rob’s special interests include neuroradiology, as well as body and general radiology.

Areas of Practice

• Gastrointestinal Radiology
• CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy)
• Hepatobiliary imaging
• Gynaecology and Gynae Oncology
• Endometriosis
• Urogynaecology and Pelvic Floor Imaging
• Obstetric ultrasound and MRI
• Cardiac CT
• General Radiology

Current Appointments

• Auckland City Hospital – Body Imaging Subspecialist Radiologist

With more than 20 years in practice, Dr Helen Moore greatly values her profession and the opportunities to contribute to patient care, and the ongoing learning and teaching involved. An Otago Medical School graduate, Helen completed her post graduate training in Auckland before completing her fellowship in MRI at the Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne in 2002. In 2021 she was recipient of the RANZCR Rouse Travelling Fellowship award.

Helen specialises in body imaging, with particular expertise in Gastrointestinal Radiology and CT Colonography, and Gynaecological Imaging including Oncology, Endometriosis and Urogynaecology MRI and Advanced Pelvic Floor Ultrasound. She teaches at regular CT Colonography accreditation workshops in Australasia and has lectured widely on this topic as well as Women’s Health topics; and published scientific papers. She is a member of the Northern Midland Gynaecology Oncology Tumour Stream, and serves on the medical advisory board for the NZ Gynaecological Cancer Foundation. She was a member of the Northern Bowel Cancer Tumour Stream from 2010-2021, and on the National Bowel Cancer Working Group from 2014-2020. She is a member of Abdominal Radiology Group of Australia and NZ, Australia NZ Gynaecological Oncology Group and the European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology.

Areas of Practice

• Musculoskeletal Radiology
• Percutaneous MSK procedures

Current Appointments

• Auckland City Hospital – MSK Radiologist

Dr Vicki Morganti graduated from the University of Auckland Medical School, then went to Christchurch for her radiology training. Vicki has had postgraduate experience in Australia, and her special interest is in orthopaedic and sports medicine imaging using ultrasound and MRI. In addition to her role at Auckland Radiology Group she is a musculoskeletal radiologist at Auckland Hospital.

Areas of Practice

• General Radiology
• Head and Neck Radiology

Current Appointments

• Auckland District Health Board
• Board Director, RHC Holdco
• Elected member of RANZCR Board

Dr Kate O’Connor has more than 20 years’ experience delivering exceptional care to patients. She combines her Auckland Radiology Group roles with an additional position as radiologist for Auckland District Health Board.

A University of Auckland graduate, Kate stayed in Auckland to complete her radiology training. She has had roles as a supervisor of registrar training and Part 2 viva examiner for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) as well as two terms as the NZ Faculty Councillor for Clinical Radiology for RANZCR.

Kate has a special interest in all aspects of Head & Neck imaging, works closely with the ORL Surgical & Oncology service at ADHB and regularly presents imaging findings at the weekly regional Head & Neck MDM.

Areas of Practice

• Body Imaging
• Interventional and Vascular Radiology
• General Radiology

Current Appointments

• Middlemore Hospital

Dr Brendon O’Donoghue joined Auckland Radiology Group in 2023, alongside his role as a Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist at Middlemore Hospital, where he has worked full-time since 2015.

After graduating from the University of Otago School of Medicine in 2000, Brendon completed specialist radiology training in Wellington in 2010, before undertaking a Fellowship in Interventional Radiology at Auckland City Hospital.

Brendon then worked in Interventional and Diagnostic Radiology in Melbourne, with Medical Imaging Australia (MIA) Victoria and St Vincent’s Hospital.

In addition to his sub-specialty areas of interventional radiology, endovascular therapy, and interventional oncology, he is a general radiologist with a strong interest in body and oncology Imaging. Brendon is actively involved in training radiology registrars through his role at Middlemore Hospital.

Areas of Practice

• Paediatric Imaging
• Obstetric Imaging
• Gynaecology
• General Radiology

Current Appointments

• North Shore Hospital

Dr Kirsten Pearce has a special interest in women’s and paediatric radiology. After graduating from the University of Otago Medical School she went on to House Surgeon posts in Christchurch Hospital, before completing her radiology training in Auckland. Kirsten has been a radiologist with Auckland Radiology Group since 2004, alongside her role as a Consultant Radiologist at North Shore Hospital.

Areas of Practice

• General Radiology
• Obstetric & Gynaecology Ultrasound
• Infertility Imaging
• Pelvic Floor Ultrasound

Dr Jane Peart is a general radiologist who has worked with Auckland Radiology Group since 2002. After graduating from the University of Auckland she completed her radiology training in Auckland, followed by MRI Fellowships at Auckland Hospital and Auckland Radiology Group. Jane has a special interest in infertility imaging and in obstetric and gynaecology ultrasound. She also maintains an interest in new developments in imaging technology and remains active academically with publications in peer reviewed journals and ongoing research activity in infertility imaging.

Areas of Practice

• Paediatric Imaging
• Obstetric Imaging
• Abdominal & Pelvic Imaging

Current Appointments

• Starship Hospital – Paediatric Radiologist
• National Women’s Health – Obstetric Radiologist

Dr David Perry has contributed significantly to the fields of paediatric and women’s imaging. David graduated from Auckland University School of Medicine and completed his radiology training in Auckland in 2004, finishing with a fellowship in paediatric radiology at Starship Hospital before joining Auckland Radiology Group. He has worked as a consultant paediatric and obstetric radiologist at Starship and National Women’s Health since 2005, including time as the clinical director of Women’s Ultrasound.

Having pioneered fetal MRI in New Zealand, he is known for his ongoing contribution to the NZ Fetal Medicine Service and holds an honorary position at the Liggins institute, where he is a co-investigator in work assessing patterns of neonatal brain injury and optimising outcomes. He is the chair of the Northern Region Obstetric Ultrasound Quality group and is a co-author of the NZ National Maternity Ultrasound Guidelines. He has published in peer-reviewed journals, and contributed to obstetric imaging textbooks. David is a frequent invited speaker at numerous Australasian conferences and continues to contribute to radiology and ultrasound education. David is a guest lecturer at Auckland Medical School.

Areas of radiology expertise include obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound including screening, fetal abnormalities and placental imaging; neonatal and paediatric imaging including neuroimaging, abdominal and pelvic imaging and assessment of paediatric abdominal pain, urinary and gastrointestinal conditions.

Areas of practice

• Chest radiology
• Body oncology

Dr Seán Quinn graduated from University College Dublin medical school in 2015. He qualified as a member of the Royal College of Physicians Ireland in 2018 and completed specialist radiology training in St Vincents University Hospital Dublin, Ireland where he came first place in his final examinations. He subsequently completed a dedicated one year Chest Radiology fellowship in St Vincents University Hospital Dublin incorporating cardiac imaging, interstitial lung disease as well as lung cancer and CT guided biopsies. He has publications on Cardiac MRI and also been contributing author to book chapters on the topic. In addition, he has been radiology tutor to University College Dublin medical students.

Areas of Practice

• Musculoskeletal and Spinal Imaging
• Musculoskeletal and Spinal Procedures
• Rheumatology and Sports Medicine Radiology
• Bone and Soft Tissue Tumour Imaging
• General Radiology

Current Appointments

• Middlemore Hospital

Dr Simran Singh graduated from the University of Otago Medical School and completed radiology specialty training in Auckland in 2016. Following a musculoskeletal imaging fellowship at Victoria House Medical Imaging (I-Med Radiology Network) in Melbourne, Australia, Simran worked as a consultant in Melbourne for four and a half years, gaining broad experience and skills in musculoskeletal imaging, general radiology and interventional procedures.

In 2021 Simran returned home to New Zealand to join ARG. He also works as a consultant radiologist at Middlemore Hospital where he contributes to several musculoskeletal radiology meetings, including the North Island Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma Multidisciplinary Meeting. Simran has a special interest in sports imaging, musculoskeletal procedures, and bone and soft tissue tumour imaging.

Areas of Practice

• Diagnostic Neuroradiology
• Neuroradiology Spinal procedures

Current Appointments

• Auckland City Hospital Neuroradiologist

Dr Andrew Smith is a radiologist at Auckland Radiology with a special interest in Neuroradiology. He combines this role with an additional position as Neuroradiologist at Auckland City Hospital. After graduating, Andrew completed postgraduate fellowship training in Neuroradiology in both Auckland and Vancouver.

Andrew’s expertise is in Diagnostic Neuroradiology, including CT and MRI as well as percutaneous spinal procedures. Andrew is also a member of the ‘Deep Brain Stimulation’ group at Auckland City Hospital. He has published multiple articles in these areas and has also been invited to speak at international radiology conferences.