Meet our Team
The wonderful people that make our place amazing!
NGAREKA BENSEMANN - Bachelor of dental surgery, OTAGO
Ngareka is the principal dentist at our lovely practice.
Through her great-grandfather, Maori Battalion Commander Arapeta Awatere, Ngareka has long family links to the Northland Region.
Ngareka previously worked in a busy practice in Auckland, before moving to Northland where she worked primarily at Kamo Dental in Whangarei.
She is a member of the New Zealand Dentists’ Association, as well as the Northland Branch of the Association - where she attends meetings to keep up to date with the latest in oral health.
Ngareka has a calm and gentle manner, which makes coming into the dentist a breeze.
In her spare time, Ngareka enjoys being active by going to the gym, playing netball and going for the odd run locally. She also enjoys travelling, more so when she has a few books to read!
LOLOMANI TONGA - BACHELOR OF DENTAL SURGERY, OTAGO
(Currently on Maternity Leave)
Lolomani is a University of Otago graduate where she holds both a Bachelor of Science majoring in Anatomy, and more recently, a Bachelor of Dental Surgery.
Prior to joining Marsden Cove Dental in 2024, Lolomani was a dental house Officer at Auckland DHB for a year before working in a few South Auckland practice's part time.
She is a member of the New Zealand Dental Association, and is currently undergoing a restorative fellowship with Ripeglobal while working full time.
Lolomani is Tongan and bilingual, where she can speak both English and Tongan.
In her spare time, Lolomani enjoys staying active with her husband, and travelling back home to Auckland to see family and friends. She also enjoys listening to a variety of commentaries on YouTube.
HOLLY EYDENBERG - D.M.D AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
Dr. Holly Eydenberg obtained her D.M.D at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine in 2010. She then completed a general practice residency (GPR) in 2011 at VA Puget Sound Healthcare System in Seattle, WA. After practicing in the private sector for a few years, she returned to the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2014 as a staff dentist, and rose to lead her team as Associate Chief beginning in 2020.
She immigrated to New Zealand in early 2026 to join the Marsden Cove Dental team and feels so lucky to have landed at a practice that prioritises teamwork, positivity, and quality dentistry for all Kiwis.
In her spare time, Holly enjoys spending time with her husband, Steve, and their greyhound, Jane. She loves running, pilates, music, and getting outdoors whenever she can!
COLLEEN SCHOLZ - DENTIST
Dr. Colleen Scholz graduated with highest honors from The University of Iowa College of Dentistry in 1990, after which she spent a term at The University of Otago Faculty of Dentistry on a Rotary Scholarship. During that time she enjoyed both teaching dental students and seeing patients.
Colleen has wanted to be a dentist since childhood, and has founded two private practices in New Mexico and Colorado, US. She has also provided volunteer dentistry in Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Kenya.
Colleen recently relocated her family to Whangarei to finally live near the ocean, another lifelong dream. She enjoys treating patients of all ages and is known to be gentle, kind, and meticulous. Colleen provides all facets of restorative dentistry and strives for results that are both beautiful and functional. In her spare time she enjoys being with her family and also tramping, swimming, and painting. She is excited to meet and care for the dental needs of the people of Bream Bay!
SARAH SO’E - BACHELOR OF HEALTH SCIENCE (ORAL HEALTH) AUT
Sarah trained with Auckland University of Technology, graduating with a Bachelor of Health Science in Oral Health.
She has a wealth of experience in dentistry. She first trained as a dental assistant in Auckland and has worked in the general and specialist dentistry fields in both New Zealand and the UK. Sarah enjoys the day to day highlights and challenges of working as an oral health therapist and enjoys keeping up to date with the latest developments. She is passionate about providing gentle and effective treatment tailored to her patient’s needs.
Sarah looks forward to working with her patients to help them achieve their oral health goals.
In her free time, you find Sarah spending time with her young family, at the beach or reading a good book.
samantha brown - practice manager
Samantha is a friendly welcoming face, with a smile to make patients feel at ease.
Previously she worked at a Whangarei dental practice for two years and has lived in the Bream Bay area for over 20 years. She went to school locally and has grown up in the area.
In her own time she loves hanging out with family and weekend adventures with her husband exploring new places in Northland.
BRENT JAVIER - DENTAL ASSISTANT
Brent is a simple guy who loves seeing people wearing their bright smiles! He comes from the Philippines and has always been a fan of nature he very much cant wait to explore the beauty of New Zealand . “Every tooth in a man’s head is more valuable than a diamond” with that saying we guarantee here at Marsden Cove Dental that all of us would treat your teeth like a diamond making sure it’s beautiful and durable and would make you smile with confidence.
BEIJE KAIPO - DENTAL ASSISTANT
NIAMH FANNING - DENTAL ASSISTANT