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Best Physiotherapists in Wellington

We assessed 19 physiotherapists in Wellington and ranked the top 5 on their public review record: rating quality, review volume and how recent the reviews are. The 10 listed below hold 770 Google reviews between them. No business can pay for a place in these rankings. Last updated 13 August 2026. How we rank →

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Before you hire

Most physiotherapy for injuries can be partly funded by ACC, which lowers the cost per visit, so ask whether the clinic lodges ACC claims directly. Check that practitioners are registered with the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand, and ask whether you will see the same physio each visit, as continuity matters for a treatment plan.

Top 5 Physiotherapists in Wellington

The top 5 physiotherapists in Wellington are Central City Physiotherapy, Refresh Physio, Habit Health Majestic, Motion Health Lambton Quay, and Peter Halstead Physio, ranked by Top5 score. Scroll for our take on each, plus what to ask before you book.

  • 1

    Central City Physiotherapy Clinic

    ★ 4.9 209 reviews Top5 Score 168
    5★ 201 4★ 5 3★ 1 1★ 2

    Central City Physiotherapy gets people back to sport and daily life through tailored rehab for shoulder injuries, knee problems, back pain, and migraine-related conditions. Physios like Paul, Charissa, and Elise are each noted for adapting treatment as recovery progresses, including drawing on continuing education to work through difficult or slow-moving cases.

    Reviews most often describe: Complex or recurring injuries needing tailored rehab plans

    • ✓ Physios research and consult specialists when cases are complex
    • ✓ Multiple patients report complete recovery after treatment with Charissa
    • ✓ Paul repeatedly credited with quick turnarounds on shoulder injuries

    location_on 5/330 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central, Wellington

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  • 2

    Refresh Physio

    ★ 4.9 87 reviews -1 Top5 Score 156
    5★ 85 4★ 1 1★ 1

    Refresh Physio gets results where previous treatment has failed, working through ligament tears, chronic back pain, leg pain, and running injuries by identifying the underlying cause rather than treating symptoms. Catherine builds rehab around patient-led exercise programmes, which means clients gain enough understanding of their own recovery to keep improving between visits and long term.

    Reviews most often describe: Persistent injuries other physios failed to resolve

    • ✓ Pinpoints root cause after other physios have missed it
    • ✓ Rehab exercises adjusted across visits as recovery progresses
    • ✓ Refers on to surgeons or specialists when the case requires it

    location_on 70 Kilbirnie Crescent, Kilbirnie, Wellington

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  • 3

    Habit Health Majestic

    ↑ 1
    ★ 4.5 155 reviews -1 Top5 Score 156 +3
    5★ 114 4★ 23 3★ 6 2★ 4 1★ 8

    Habit Health Majestic delivers injury rehab spanning hand and elbow rehabilitation, post-surgical recovery, and exercise-based treatment for conditions like osteoarthritis. Physios like Katherine are noted for achieving outcomes beyond what specialists predicted, and the welcoming environment is specifically mentioned as helping clients feel at ease before and during sessions.

    Reviews most often describe: Injury rehab with access to on-site gym facilities

    • ✓ Physios put clients at ease before and during sessions
    • ✓ Gym equipment available to use during physio sessions
    • ✓ Good appointment availability noted alongside thorough injury assessments

    location_on Majestic Centre P2/100 Willis Street, Wellington Central, Wellington

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  • 4

    Motion Health Lambton Quay

    ↓ 1
    ★ 5.0 64 reviews Top5 Score 154
    5★ 64

    Motion Health Lambton Quay specialises in shockwave therapy for long-standing tendon and soft tissue injuries, including Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, hamstring injuries, and scar tissue damage that have not responded to conventional treatment. Priyesh walks patients through what is happening in their body using visual aids during sessions, setting realistic expectations while committing to full recovery rather than short-term relief.

    Reviews most often describe: Stubborn tendon injuries unresolved by standard physio

    • ✓ Shockwave therapy resolves injuries after months of failed standard physio
    • ✓ Physio uses on-screen diagrams to explain joint issues during sessions
    • ✓ Patients return to sport and daily activity after completing treatment courses

    location_on Level 2/354 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central, Wellington

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  • 5

    Peter Halstead Physio Wellington

    ★ 5.0 52 reviews Top5 Score 151
    5★ 52

    Peter Halstead Physio works through sports injuries, shoulder problems, back pain, knee ligament damage, and repetitive strain conditions like golfer's elbow by building treatment plans around each person's specific situation and goals rather than a standard protocol. An on-site gym lets Peter run clients through rehab exercises in the same environment they will be using during recovery, and he explains not just what to do but why, so clients can continue improving independently.

    Reviews most often describe: Sports and gym-based rehab needing highly individualised plans

    • ✓ Rehab plans adjusted session by session as the body responds
    • ✓ Explains the purpose behind each exercise during every session
    • ✓ Resolves injuries that multiple previous physios could not fix

    location_on 128 Featherston Street, Wellington Central, Wellington

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Before you book a physiotherapist in Wellington

Drawn from 175 customer reviews collected for this page. The first answer is what it costs.

What does physiotherapy typically cost in New Zealand, and what does ACC cover? expand_more

ACC covers a portion of physio costs for injury-related treatment, leaving a patient part-charge that varies by clinic. In Wellington, part-charges for ACC-funded sessions run from around $20 to $50 per visit, though some clinics charge more. For non-injury conditions, full private fees sit roughly between $60 and $120 per session. Clinics can lodge ACC claims directly, so you do not need a GP referral to access the ACC pathway for an accident injury.

How do I check a physiotherapist is registered and qualified? expand_more

Every practising physiotherapist in New Zealand must hold a current annual practising certificate issued by the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand. You can search the public register on the Board's website for free to confirm registration, certificate currency, and any conditions on a practitioner's scope of practice. If you have a complaint about care, the Health and Disability Commissioner is the primary pathway for formal concerns. Reviews here point to practitioners with specific backgrounds in sports rehab, post-surgical recovery, and musculoskeletal work, so checking a physio's stated area of interest against your injury type is a practical extra step before booking.

How many sessions should treatment realistically take? expand_more

A straightforward sports injury or muscle strain can resolve in three to five sessions when a clear rehab plan and home exercises are in place, as several reviewers here experienced. More complex or post-surgical cases, such as ACL reconstruction or joint replacement recovery, will run longer, but a good physio sets measurable goals and tells you what progress should look like at each stage. Home exercises are where most of the real recovery happens between appointments, so if a plan relies entirely on clinic visits with no independent work, that is worth questioning. If you are many sessions in with no clear end point or shift in your programme, it is reasonable to ask your physio directly what the discharge criteria are.

What are the warning signs of a physiotherapy clinic you should avoid? expand_more
  • –A physio who cannot explain your treatment plan or visibly looks up basic protocols during your session rather than assessing you properly.
  • –Billing practices that are unclear upfront, including unexpected charges sent through a debt agency or cancellation fees imposed when you choose not to return.
  • –No continuity of care, meaning you see a different practitioner each visit with no handover or consistent treatment thread.
  • –Sessions where you are handed a generic exercise sheet without any hands-on assessment or personalised adjustment to your specific presentation.
  • –A clinic that cannot tell you the ACC part-charge before your first appointment, leaving you exposed to surprise costs.
  • –No discussion of goals, expected number of sessions, or what recovery milestones you should be hitting.
What should you ask before booking a physiotherapist? expand_more
  • –Ask whether the clinic lodges ACC claims directly and what the exact patient part-charge is per session before you commit.
  • –Ask whether you will see the same physiotherapist at every appointment, since continuity makes a measurable difference to outcomes.
  • –Ask how many sessions they would expect for your specific injury and what the discharge criteria look like.
  • –Ask whether they have direct experience treating your type of injury, for example post-surgical rehab, sports-related ligament damage, or a neurological condition.
  • –Ask whether home exercises form part of the programme, since recovery between sessions is where most progress is made.
  • –Ask what happens if you are not progressing as expected and whether they refer on to other specialists when needed.

Physiotherapists ranked 6 to 10 in Wellington

They scored below the top 5 on the same public review record.

  • 6

    South Coast Physiotherapy

    ★ 5.0 43 reviews +1 Top5 Score 149
    5★ 43

    South Coast Physiotherapy brings people through sports injuries, post-surgical recovery, and long-term rehab for knees, shoulders, ankles, and backs, with physios Callum and Bonnie each noted for building stage-by-stage plans that adapt as recovery progresses. Clients repeatedly report returning to sport or full function faster than expected, with follow-up emails sent after appointments to document what to work on between sessions.

    Reviews most often describe: Sports injuries and post-surgical rehab needing ongoing support

    • ✓ Explains the injury and rehab plan clearly at each appointment
    • ✓ Tailors exercise programmes to each stage of recovery
    • ✓ Clients return to sport faster than they initially expected

    location_on 118 The Parade, Island Bay, Wellington

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  • 7

    The Rehab Co Wellington

    ★ 4.8 50 reviews +2 Top5 Score 147 +2
    5★ 47 4★ 1 1★ 2

    The Rehab Co works through ACL rehab, rotator cuff injuries, back pain, ankle sprains, running injuries, and persistent arm and shoulder problems that have stumped other practitioners. Physios like Marcos, Keith, and Malia are each noted for using measurements and clear explanations to identify root causes, then building structured programmes that get clients back to activity faster than expected.

    Reviews most often describe: Complex or ongoing injuries needing precise diagnostic physio

    • ✓ Physios use measurements and testing to diagnose difficult or unresolved injuries
    • ✓ Rehab programmes include take-home exercises with explained reasoning behind each step
    • ✓ Physios coordinate directly with GPs to align treatment and recovery plans

    location_on 14 Gateway Lane, Thorndon, Wellington

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  • 8

    North City Physiotherapy

    ★ 4.9 36 reviews +1 Top5 Score 145 +1
    5★ 35 1★ 1

    North City Physiotherapy brings people through knee ligament damage, torn adductor and MCL injuries, shoulder problems, back pain, and long-standing ankle injuries, including complex cases where previous physio produced little improvement. Abhi builds stage-by-stage recovery plans that combine dry needling, strength work, and hands-on treatment, and takes time to understand each person's full injury history before starting.

    Reviews most often describe: Sports and chronic injuries where previous physio underdelivered

    • ✓ Dry needling used across shoulder, knee, ankle, and back injuries
    • ✓ Rebuilt strength and function after years of unresolved chronic injury
    • ✓ Needle-phobic clients supported at their own pace through treatment

    location_on Salvation Army Building (Above Family Store Level 1/125 Johnsonville Road, Johnsonville, Wellington

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  • 9

    Willis Street Physiotherapy

    ↑ 1
    ★ 4.7 40 reviews Top5 Score 143 +1
    5★ 34 4★ 4 2★ 1 1★ 1

    Willis Street Physiotherapy treats back injuries, calf and ankle sprains, shoulder and neck problems, and Pilates-related muscle injuries across a team that includes Jacky, Natasha, Genaia, Samuel, and Jarred. Physios here are consistently noted for explaining the cause of an injury and the expected recovery timeline upfront, then providing take-home exercises that keep progress moving between visits.

    Reviews most often describe: Muscle, soft tissue and ankle injuries needing clear rehab plans

    • ✓ Physios explain injury cause and recovery timeline from first visit
    • ✓ Take-home exercise programmes sent to clients after appointments
    • ✓ Cautious escalation to further investigation when progress stalls

    location_on Level 9/57 Willis Street, Wellington Central, Wellington

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  • 10

    Pelvic Health Physiotherapy - Wellington

    ★ 4.8 34 reviews Top5 Score 143
    5★ 32 1★ 2

    location_on Symes de Silva House 99 Courtenay Place, 97, Wellington

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About this ranking

How are the top physiotherapists in Wellington chosen? expand_more

We build this page from Google Maps results for physiotherapists in Wellington. Each one is scored on its public rating and review record. Businesses outside the area, or whose reviews describe a different line of work, are left out. See how we rank for the full method.

How often are rankings updated? expand_more

Every category and city is recrawled on a rolling cycle, about once a month. This page was last checked on 13 August 2026.

Can a business pay to appear in this list? expand_more

No. Top 5 and Also Recommended positions are merit-only and cannot be purchased. Verifying a business is free. A subscription adds a website link on the card, a public profile page, and competitor and ranking history in the owner's dashboard, none of which affects ranking position. See what a subscription includes.

Why isn't my business listed? expand_more

We build this page from Google Maps results for physiotherapists in Wellington. The usual reasons for missing out are a Google Business category that does not match, too few reviews to score near the top, or an address outside the area we cover. At the last update, the smallest review count among the 10 businesses listed here was 34. Check where you rank or read how rankings work.