Chiropractor Cole Mackie is embarking on a new era at Queenstown Health taking over the popular Queenstown clinic from founder and long-term owner Neki Patel.

“Although I will be the owner of Queenstown Health as of April next year everything will pretty much stay the same. Neki has spent 30 years creating a successful clinic and my goal is to keep his basic ethos – to treat people very well and they will return.”

For the past 12 months Neki has mentored Cole to take over the thriving health practice that has clinics in Queenstown, Five Mile and Millbrook Resort.

“Neki is an incredibly good chiropractor with an excellent understanding of how this business runs ensuring all our clinicians share the same core values,” says Cole. “He is mentorship has been invaluable throughout this transition and changeover and he will continue to be a guiding light working in the business.”

Queenstown Health currently operates with three chiropractors, four physiotherapists, one acupuncturist and two massage therapists.

“Since the impact of Covid-19 we have worked hard to rebuild the team with excellent clinicians who fit into our special Queenstown environment. One of Queenstown Health’s strengths is it multidisciplinary approach holistically working together to ensure the very best results for our patients.”

“If someone requires rehab to avoid re injury I can bring in our physios to assist with that and likewise our acupuncturist can help reduce pain levels. Massage therapy is excellent for soft tissue work especially for something chronic and together we cohesively work for optimal results. Our patients can see this extra level of care and attention which overall helps them progress towards better health.”

Becoming the owner of Queenstown Health is achieving a dream for Cole.

“When Neki offered me this opportunity it was everything I wanted,” he says. “Growing up in Alexandra I was actually treated by one of his clinicians back in the day and it was from that interaction I went on to train as a chiropractor so it’s extra special.”

SPORTS FOCUS

Queenstown Health’s remedial sports practice has forged long-term relationships with local, national and international sports teams.

Current owner Neki Patel is the current Pacific representative on the executive board of the International Sports Chiropractic Federation while Cole Mackie is an acting president of Sports Chiropractic New Zealand.

“Collectively we are both working on professional development of sports chiropractic in New Zealand which is quite unique,” says Cole. “Our clinic has been with New Zealand Ice Hockey for over 20 years and has  supported local football teams for many years.”

This year Cole travelled to Turkey with the national under-18 ice hockey team while another Queenstown Health chiropractor travelled with the national Ice Black squad.

“I also went to Vanuatu to work with the under-19 Cook Island football team,” says Cole. “We pride ourselves on our care and attention for local and high-level sports teams alongside supporting community initiatives like the recent Relay for Life fundraising event.”