We Put You First.
Here's What That Actually Means.

We spent years trying to find the right name for this business. The three of us, Cate, Katherine, and Nigel, went round and round. Then You First Physio landed, and all three of us knew. That was it. Because it says the thing we actually believe — that you, the person who walks through our door, are the centre of everything we do. The diagnosis matters. The treatment matters. But they’re in service of you. Not the other way around.

Trainer assisting woman with dumbbell split squat

What makes us different

There's a version of physiotherapy where you come in with a sore knee, a clinician tells you what's wrong and what to do about it, you do the exercises, and off you go. That model works — sometimes.

But it's not how we work.

When you come to one of our clinics, we're not running through a checklist. We're listening, properly listening, to understand what matters to you, what you want to get back to, and what you've already tried. Then we figure out the path forward together.

Katherine describes it as being "alongside" rather than "in charge." Nigel calls it collaboration. Cate calls it giving people hope.

We're all describing the same thing: you're a partner in your own recovery, not a passive recipient of treatment.

The team behind You First Physio

You First Physio didn't start as a five-clinic operation. It started at Riccarton, with a small team, doing good work and figuring things out as they went.

  • Nigel Roy Headshot

    Nigel Roy

    Physiotherapist Director

    I have over 20+ years of private practice experience, with the majority of those spent here at You First Physio, where I became a partner in 2006. I am a very hands-on physiotherapist and enjoy all aspects of patient care, especially being able to make a tangible difference to movement and function.

    Over the past six years, I have also found great fulfillment in teaching and watching our new graduate physios develop their clinical skills to become excellent practitioners.

  • Cate Broderick Headshot

    Cate Broderick

    Physiotherapist Director

    I am a New Zealand-trained physiotherapist with 30 years of full-time experience across New Zealand, Michigan, and an 18-year tenure in private practice in London. This extensive background means I have seen almost everything that can walk through a clinic door, which helps me provide comprehensive care for my clients.

    My clinical interests include managing hip, knee, and ankle injuries, treating osteoarthritis, and supporting running rehabilitation and general health for those over 40. Since returning to Christchurch with my family in 2014, I have been a dedicated member of the You First Physio team.

  • Katherine Pierce Headshot

    Katherine Pierce

    Physiotherapist & Director

    I have worked in musculoskeletal physiotherapy for over 25 years, including eight years in the UK. One of my roles there was at Portland Physiotherapy, which specialised in treating knees, sparking my lifelong passion for rehabilitating knee injuries.

    This interest further evolved during my time at Physioworks in the UK, where I focused heavily on movement dysfunction analysis to help prevent recurrences. I completed a full-time postgraduate year at Otago University in 1997 and earned my Masters in Physiotherapy in 2003. I joined the team at You First Physio in 2000 and became a partner in 2001.

Different specialties. Same underlying belief: that the best outcomes come when people understand their own situation and feel genuinely supported through it. 

The three of us have been building this together ever since. We added a University of Canterbury campus clinic, then Longhurst in Halswell. In 2022, we took over Avonhead Physiotherapy and Pilates. Five locations now, 20-plus team members, and still the same conviction that drove the whole thing: The patient comes first. 

We rebranded as You First Physio in 2020, partly the result of working with a business mentor and asking some honest questions about what we stood for. The answer was the same one it had always been. We just finally had the name to match. 

What our patients say

  • Very helpful in getting me back on track

    The front desk staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, which immediately put me at ease. My physiotherapist, Allison, has been wonderful—knowledgeable, supportive, and very helpful in getting me back on track. Highly recommend!

    Mike

  • Highy recommended expert physiotherapy care

    I underwent 7 months of physiotherapy treatment after sustaining a shoulder injury, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the care I received. The treatment throughout my recovery was outstanding, professional, and always tailored. The support, expertise, and encouragement made a significant difference during a challenging time. Thank you for helping me on the road to recovery — I highly recommend your services to anyone needing expert physiotherapy care.

    Carolynn Searell

  • Great individualised exercise programmes

    Knowledgeable, efficient and effective physiotherapists at You First. Great individualised exercise programmes as follow up, and there's a gym onsite if required. I definitely recommend them.

    Margaret Ingram

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Ready to meet the whole team?

You've read about what we believe and how we got here. Now meet the people who make it happen — physios, Pilates instructors, and support staff across all five of our Christchurch clinics.

Meet The Team

Or, if you're ready to book or want to know which clinic is right for you:

Book an Appointment

Our Clinics at a glance