our story

Jackie Clemmer, Audiologist and Owner

Jackie trained in the United States’ Pacific Northwest. In 2007, she answered a call for audiologists in New Zealand, and she and her partner moved to Whangarei. There she enjoyed working at an independent private hearing practice where each client was treated like family. When this clinic was purchased by large chain, Jackie felt the culture there change. She then moved to working in the public health service.. In 2014, Jackie was offered the role of District Team Leader at Nelson Marlborough DHB and subsequently fell in love with the Nelson region.

After a number of years at the hospital, it became clear there was an increasing need for high-quality hearing services for adults in the region, so Jackie founded Little Bird Audiology. After years of planning, study and fund raising, Little Bird Audiology began trading in 2019.

Jackie is a full member of New Zealand Audiology Society (NZAS) and has been actively involved with this organisation for more than a decade serving roles on the Membership, Examination and Supervision Committee, the Professional Affairs Representation Committee, and on the Executive Council. Jackie is also a member of a number of other professional organisations including Independent Audiologists New Zealand (IANZ), the International Society of Audiology (ISA), the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and the American Academy of Audiology (AAA).

In her spare time, Jackie enjoys puttering around in her garden, riding her ebike and sailing.

Anita Kraak, Senior Audiologist

Trained in the Netherlands, Anita was studying toward a masters in biomedical science when she got the opportunity to volunteer in Tunisia, testing children’s hearing. It was there that she saw what a difference hearing aids can make to people’s lives, and fell in love with audiology.

Since moving to Nelson in 2002, she’s worked in many different audiology practices with a wide variety of patients, and still enjoys the mix of technology, medical science, and humanity that her profession offers.

Anita also works for Te Whatu Ora at Nelson Hospital, but enjoys her work at Little Bird because of the extra time she has to offer patients. She also appreciates Little Bird’s independence from hearing aid manufacturers, allowing her and her clients the freedom to choose the right product on the market.

“We really get to know the client, what their needs are and how we can best help them,” she says. “It can be hard to get used to a new device you may be reluctant to have in the first place, and it takes time to walk that journey of better hearing and support people to make that change. That’s what Little Bird can provide.”

Anita received a Master’s degree in Biomedical Science and Audiology in The Netherlands, where she specialized in hearing assessment and aural rehabilitation of people with special needs and children. She currently holds Paediatric Certification for both hearing assessment and aural rehabilitation in New Zealand.

Anita is a full member of New Zealand Audiological Society (NZAS). Throughout her career she has been active with supervision and instruction of Audiometrists and Ear, Nose and Throat house surgeons in the Netherlands as well as Audiology Master’s students in New Zealand. Likewise she has been active educating and informing the general public about hearing, rehabilitation and the impact of hearing loss via seminars and presentations in the last 20 years. Anita is also full member of Audiology Australia and is still follows publications and newsletters from the Dutch Audiological Society.

Helen Saville, Administrator

In March 2024, Helen joined the team. With over ten years of working in local hearing clinics, she brings a wealth of specific experience and expertise. She has enabled Anita and Jackie to focus on spending more time with clients and has already made a huge contribution to the practice.

Helen works part time due to family commitments, but if you ring during her work hours, Monday and Tuesday 8:30 to 4pm, Wednesday 1 to 4pm, or Friday from 9am to 12pm, she’ll be the friendly voice you’ll hear.

In Helen’s spare time, you’ll find her out and about on her bike, walking local tracks, mastering the art of bread baking or teaching herself to play the ukelele.