About Dr Locke
"I am committed to safely and expertly providing you with the best possible care to achieve your goals and restore your natural beauty"
Dr Michelle Locke is a highly regarded Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon based in Auckland. As one of New Zealand’s few female Plastic Surgeons, she is acutely aware of her patients’ needs and she is dedicated to helping them achieve the best possible outcome from their surgery. Dr Locke is thorough, conscientious and empathic in her assessment of patients. She will discuss your personal options to allow individualised decision making, tailored to your needs and desires, taking into account your personal situation.
Dr Locke is fully trained in New Zealand, attending the University of Auckland School of Medicine. As well as her advanced surgical training, she undertook two years of full time research at the University of Auckland School of Biological Sciences to obtain a Doctorate of Medicine (MD) along with her surgical qualification (FRACS) in 2010.
After completing her training, Dr Locke spent two years in North America, honing her skills in breast reconstruction as well as cosmetic and aesthetic surgery. She trained in all forms of breast reconstruction including microsurgical reconstructions such as the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap. She has been working as a specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon in New Zealand since 2012. With regular attendance at meetings and symposia around the world, Dr Locke ensures that her knowledge, skills and techniques remain up to date and conform to best practice standards.
On a more personal level, Dr Locke displays excellent organisational skills and problem solving ability. She is motivated and enthusiastic about achieving the best outcomes for her patients. She enjoys working in a team environment and is well respected by her peers. Outside of work, she keeps fit by going to the gym and playing hockey. She is married with two daughters.
Qualifications
Education and Employment
2010
Admitted to Doctorate of Medicine (MD) degree, University of Auckland
2010
Admitted to Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
2009
Passed FRACS Fellowship exam, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
2008
Passed United States Medical Licence Exams Step 2 Clinical Skills and Step 3, Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, USA
2007
Passed United States Medical Licence Exams Step 1and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge, Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, Auckland
2006
Passed Surgical Science and Principals Exam, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
2003
International English Language Testing System - Overall Band Score: 9.0 (Expert User)
2001
Passed Basic Surgical Training Part I MCQ Examination and OSCE, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
1999
Admitted to Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree, University of Auckland
1996
Admitted to Bachelor of Human Biology (BHB) degree, University of Auckland
2019-current
Head of Department, Department of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery , Counties Manukau District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
2013-current
Senior Lecturer in Surgery (Plastics), South Auckland Clinical School, University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Auckland, New Zealand
2012-current
Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Counties Manukau District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
2011
Clinical Fellowships in Breast Reconstruction, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Toronto General Hospital (6 months) and Women’s College Hospital (6 months))
2010
Clinical Fellowship in Aesthetic Surgery, Toronto Institute of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (6 months), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2010
Clinical Fellowship in Aesthetic and Oculoplastic Surgery, Paces Plastic Surgery (6 months), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
2009
Senior Registrar (Advanced Trainee) in Plastic Surgery, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand
2007-2008
Doctorate Candidate and Honorary Research Fellow, University of Auckland School of Biological Sciences, Auckland, New Zealand
2005-2006
Senior Registrar (Advanced Trainee) in Plastic Surgery, Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
2001-2004
Junior Registrar (Non-Trainee) in Auckland and Christchurch, New Zealand
1999-2001
House Office / Senior House Officer, Auckland, New Zealand
1993-1998
University of Auckland School of Medicine, Auckland, New Zealand
1988-1992
Rangitoto College, Auckland, New Zealand
Service & Leadership
Dr Locke in the Media
As an expert in her field and as Head of Department at Middlemore hospital, Dr Locke is often interviewed by the media.
You can watch her interview with Neil Waka on Maori Television here: Fears Māori with breast cancer are missing out on reconstructive surgery
https://www.teaomaori.news/fears-maori-breast-cancer-are-missing-out-on-reconstructive-surgery?_ga=2.159886398.2042083676.1596758424-1218522238.1596758424
Read about her research regarding the fact that breast reconstruction rates much lower for Maori and Pacifika patients here:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12352400
You can listen to her Radio New Zealand interview in relation to care provided to patients injured in the Whakaari / White Island eruption here:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018727174/heated-theatres-cadaver-skin-how-whakaari-burns-victims-are-being-treated
You can read her reports on management of the patients, reported by media outlets around the world, at the links below:
https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/white-island-victims-yet-to-wake-up-after-disaster-doctor-says/news-story/2910ffee7db83db12bba2490d7c63a1d
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7798975/Injured-New-Zealand-White-Island-volcano-victims-havent-woken-week-eruption.html
Newshub, 1 August 2018. "NZ woman's horrific botched breast surgery prompts warnings about overseas jobs"
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/lifestyle/2018/08/nz-woman-s-horrific-botched-breast-surgery-prompts-warnings-about-overseas-jobs.html
New Zealand Herald, 5 August 2018. "Breast implants could be replaced with a new solution" https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=12099913
New Zealand Herald, 26 February 2018. "Using own tissue in breast reconstruction less risky"
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12001792
Sydney Morning Herald, 9 May 2018. "'Hidden curriculum' keeping best and brightest from becoming surgeons"
https://www.smh.com.au/national/hidden-curriculum-surgeons-women-gender-equity-20180508-p4ze0w.html
The Real Life blog, 15 January 2017. "Silicone success"
https://thereallife.co.nz/2017/01/15/silicone-success/