Dr Petrie's post graduate training and 30 years of consultant practice at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Rotorua covers the progression of Rheumatology care from that of holistic palliation of Musculoskeletal pain and disability to the early diagnosis and effective treatment of previously crippling inflammatory diseases. He welcomes referrals across the spectrum of Musculoskeletal pain for diagnosis and management.

I am a New Zealand-trained Rheumatologist, completing my postgraduate studies in Rheumatology Clinics in Auckland, Rotorua and Palmerston North after graduating from University of Auckland School of Medicine. I subsequently spent 2 years in the Rheumatology Research Unit at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK. I returned to New Zealand to commence a 30 year career as Rheumatologist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Rotorua, which was then the National Centre for Rheumatic Diseases. I now provide a private service at Spa City Rheumatology here in Rotorua.

Rheumatology is the non-surgical evaluation of musculoskeletal conditions including pain, arthritis and disorders of the immune system. The specialty has come a long way from the palliation of pain and disability with massage, mud baths and few effective drugs, to offering real hope of permanent remission with important new medicines, whilst still providing effective physical treatments and pain relief.