our story.
our history.
Doors open.
Dr. Brent Anderson opened his first medical centre in Oakura, housed in a charming corner building at the intersection of Dixon Street and South Road, right opposite the local Four Square. In those early years, the centre was a small, close-knit operation with just Dr. Anderson, one nurse, and one receptionist.
moving day.
Following the closure of the post office, Oakura Medical moved to its current location at 1149 South Road.
expansion.
Dr. Anderson expanded his services by acquiring the Okato Practice from a local doctor, Dr. Dick Wilson after his retirement. After running that practice for three years, it was eventually merged with Oakura Medical. Around the same time, he also purchased the Opunake Practice. Initially, this practice was housed in an older building with its share of challenges. Still, after about a decade, it was relocated to a new medical centre on Napier Street, now managed by Coastal Taranaki Health Trust. This period also saw the retirement of Dr. Gunatunga, whose practice was seamlessly incorporated into the existing operations and expanding services for the community.
Dr. Anderson managed these practices with his unique personal touch, even establishing a specialist skin business, “Skin on Forty-Five,” in New Plymouth. He collaborated with various locum doctors and maintained a streamlined administration with just one practice manager for all clinics, fostering an environment where the team supported one another. In addition to these clinics, Coastal Medical also operated through the New Plymouth Emergency Department (providing staffing and training for doctors), the Hawera Emergency Department, and a training company called Paramed, which managed offshore oil paramedic staff. Dr. Anderson’s commitment also extended to the oil industry and emergency services for about a decade.
new doctors.
the next generation of doctors joined Coastal Medical, beginning with Dr. Nick Loveridge-Easther, followed by Dr. Shaun Butler. They brought with them new ideas and a focus on technology and innovation, which complemented Dr. Anderson’s decades of business experience. Together, they helped expand the practice, including the acquisition of Avon Medical, which later transformed into Stratford Health Centre. Their vision for integrated health services grew, with the acquisition of Occupation Health OHD.
the hub.
2025 will see their collective vision lead to the creation of The Hub—a flagship project blending Dr. Anderson’s seasoned expertise with the doctors’ modern, team-based approach and tech-forward methods.
Where to from here? The sky is the limit for Coastal Medical. Since its inception, people have been at the heart of everything we do, and carrying that philosophy forward is our promise. As we embrace new ideas, technology, and opportunities, Coastal Medical will continue to innovate and evolve—always with compassion, excellence, and community at its core.
Doors open.
Dr. Brent Anderson opened his first medical centre in Oakura, housed in a charming corner building at the intersection of Dixon Street and South Road, right opposite the local Four Square. In those early years, the centre was a small, close-knit operation with just Dr. Anderson, one nurse, and one receptionist.
moving day.
Following the closure of the post office, Oakura Medical moved to its current location at 1149 South Road.
expansion.
Dr. Anderson expanded his services by acquiring the Okato Practice from a local doctor, Dr. Dick Wilson after his retirement. After running that practice for three years, it was eventually merged with Oakura Medical. Around the same time, he also purchased the Opunake Practice. Initially, this practice was housed in an older building with its share of challenges. Still, after about a decade, it was relocated to a new medical centre on Napier Street, now managed by Coastal Taranaki Health Trust. This period also saw the retirement of Dr. Gunatunga, whose practice was seamlessly incorporated into the existing operations and expanding services for the community.
Dr. Anderson managed these practices with his unique personal touch, even establishing a specialist skin business, “Skin on Forty-Five,” in New Plymouth. He collaborated with various locum doctors and maintained a streamlined administration with just one practice manager for all clinics, fostering an environment where the team supported one another. In addition to these clinics, Coastal Medical also operated through the New Plymouth Emergency Department (providing staffing and training for doctors), the Hawera Emergency Department, and a training company called Paramed, which managed offshore oil paramedic staff. Dr. Anderson’s commitment also extended to the oil industry and emergency services for about a decade.
new doctors.
the next generation of doctors joined Coastal Medical, beginning with Dr. Nick Loveridge-Easther, followed by Dr. Shaun Butler. They brought with them new ideas and a focus on technology and innovation, which complemented Dr. Anderson’s decades of business experience. Together, they helped expand the practice, including the acquisition of Avon Medical, which later transformed into Stratford Health Centre. Their vision for integrated health services grew, with the acquisition of Occupation Health OHD.
the hub.
2025 will see their collective vision lead to the creation of The Hub—a flagship project blending Dr. Anderson’s seasoned expertise with the doctors’ modern, team-based approach and tech-forward methods.
Where to from here? The sky is the limit for Coastal Medical. Since its inception, people have been at the heart of everything we do, and carrying that philosophy forward is our promise. As we embrace new ideas, technology, and opportunities, Coastal Medical will continue to innovate and evolve—always with compassion, excellence, and community at its core.
making a positive impact, one person at a time.
