Our Team: Physiotherapists

Gill Stotter – MCSP, ADP(MT), Dip MT, PGDipPHC (Dist), MPHC (Dist)

Gill has over 40 years’ experience as a physiotherapist. She trained at Queens College in Glasgow, starting her career at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, UK before travelling to New Zealand where she has spent most of her career. She has a wide range of experience in musculoskeletal management and enjoys the challenge of complex presentations taking a holistic approach to assessment and management. She was recognised as an advanced practitioner by the New Zealand College of Physiotherapy. 

Gill has held several leadership roles within Physiotherapy New Zealand and been actively involved within the profession as a clinical supervisor and tutor on post-graduate manipulative physiotherapy courses. She was a Founding Director of Wellington Sports Medicine and been an accredited provider for High Performance Sport (HPSNZ). She has excellent relationships with other health professionals working collaboratively to support the health and wellbeing of each individual. She is committed to continued professional development and supporting and mentoring younger physiotherapists.

Outside of work Gill’s passion is her family, travel, and the love of the outdoors.

Anne O’Donnell – Dip Phty, Dip MT

Anne has worked as a physiotherapist since 1977 and her passion for the profession and for ongoing education and learning has never abated. She has a special interest in spinal physiotherapy, qualifying as a manipulative physiotherapist in 1983 and later working as a tutor on the NZ Manipulative Physiotherapy programme. She has also taken a strong interest in treating people with persistent pain problems and feels physiotherapists have the wide knowledge and skill base needed to help with these conditions. These days she is particularly passionate about the value of physiotherapy for older people and enjoys working with them to make this stage of life as fulfilling as possible.

Anne has owned her own practices in Havelock North for most of her working life but has recently shifted to live and work in the Hutt Valley, where she loves the energy and freshness of the climate and the people. She has joined the e-bike community and finds it extremely easy to commute around the hills of Lower Hutt and to park!

Alan Mugglestone – MCSP, Dip MDT

Alan is a New Zealand Registered Physiotherapist with 45 years of experience, spanning clinical practice, lecturing, research, management, and business ownership. He began his career at Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham, gaining broad experience, including working with semi-professional soccer teams. Progressing to Superintendent Physiotherapist at a rehabilitation centre, he conducted research on early treatment of humeral fractures, which was presented at the 1991 World Conference in Physiotherapy and published in 1992.

In 1992, Alan became the second British Physiotherapist to earn the McKenzie Diploma, leading him to New Zealand to research chronic low back pain. He also collaborated with Toyota NZ on ergonomic seating.

In 1995, Alan founded Action Physiotherapy, mentoring physiotherapists and serving the Hutt Valley. He recently merged Action Physiotherapy with Hutt Physiotherapy Centre to ensure sustainable, high-quality care for his patients.

Alison Stephenson – BSc Phty, Cred. McKenzie MDT

Alison graduated from Wits University in South Africa in 1997 with a BSc in Physiotherapy and opened a private practice in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in 2006. In 2022 she closed the practice to move with her husband and daughter to Wellington, New Zealand. Alison has a special interest in the treatment of musculoskeletal issues, pain management and dry needling. She completed her McKenzie Credentialing in 2023 and is currently working on her Pain Management Certificate at Otago University.

Alison believes in the body’s resilience and capacity for change, and enjoys working with a person to restore their ability to participate in activities they value.

In her spare time, Alison enjoys oil painting, mountain biking, running, puzzles, reading and being close to nature and animals.

Cocoa Lam – BSc Phty

Cocoa graduated from the University of Limpopo in South Africa in 2010. He has over a decade of experience in both outpatient and hospital-based physiotherapy, with a special interest in musculoskeletal conditions, post-operative rehabilitation, and sports injuries.

Cocoa joined the Hutt Physiotherapy Centre team after relocating to Wellington in January 2025. He is trained in dry needling and has used it extensively over the years as part of his approach to pain management. Fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, he is passionate about delivering holistic, patient-centered care that focuses on restoring movement and improving quality of life.

Xavier Bell – BPhty

Xavier joined Hutt Physio in 2025 after completing his studies at Otago University in 2024. He has a special interest in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, and a passion for exercise-based rehabilitation.

Outside of work, Xavier enjoys staying active by spending time in the gym and running. An avid sports enthusiast, he particularly enjoys rugby and has experience both as a player and as a sideline physio. This year, he is working on expanding his expertise by taking manual therapy courses focused on examination and treatment of the upper body.

Having grown up in the Hutt, Xavier is committed to the local community, enjoys working with a wide range of people, and has a strong focus on patient wellbeing.