Do I need a GP referral to see Dr Waterhouse for sinus surgery?

No referral is needed. You can contact Dr Waterhouse's clinic directly by calling 09 553 3781, emailing davidwaterhouse@tuhauora.co.nz, or filling in the online contact form.

How do I know if sinus surgery will help me?

A CT scan of your sinuses is the key diagnostic step. We can arrange this for you. David will review your scan and symptoms, and tell you clearly whether surgery is likely to help and what it would involve. We also use validated symptom scores to measure your symptoms before and after surgery.

Sinusitis · Sinus Surgery · Northland

Breathe freely.
Sleep soundly again.

Q: Can children have sinus surgery?

Yes. Dr Waterhouse treats patients from children through to adults. Sinus surgery in children is carefully considered, and David will discuss whether surgery is appropriate for your child based on their symptoms and imaging.

Q: What is DCR and can it help with watery eyes?

DCR (dacryocystorhinostomy) is a procedure to unblock the tear duct that drains tears from the eye into the nose. David and Brian Kent-Smith from the Eye Institute work together as a team to help patients with this problem. DCR can significantly reduce or resolve persistent watery eyes.

Dr David Waterhouse, FRACS, experienced endoscopic sinus surgeon

Blocked nose, facial pressure, poor sleep, recurring infections. Chronic sinusitis is very treatable. David operates on sinuses most weeks and sees patients from children through to adults.

Call 09 553 3781 How it works

Sound familiar?

These are the signs of chronic sinusitis that may benefit from surgery.

Blocked or congested nose

Difficulty breathing through nose

Disrupted sleep

Facial pressure or pain

Recurring sinus infections

Reduced sense of smell

Post-nasal drip

Watery or irritated eyes

Symptoms not improving with medication

What is chronic sinusitis?

Chronic sinusitis is persistent inflammation of the sinuses lasting more than 12 weeks. It causes a blocked nose, facial pressure, reduced sense of smell, post-nasal drip, and disrupted sleep. For many people, it affects daily life far more than they realise, including their quality of sleep.

When symptoms do not settle with nasal sprays, saline rinses, or antibiotics, surgery is often the most effective next step. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) opens the natural drainage pathways of the sinuses, restoring normal airflow and allowing the lining to heal.

Before recommending surgery, we make sure all medical options have been explored and optimised. We also use validated symptom scores to measure how much your sinuses are affecting your life before and after treatment. Our team will send these to you. The right approach depends on the person, and David will explain your options clearly.

Day

Procedure for most patients

Most sinus operations are performed as a day procedure. Some patients may require an overnight stay depending on the extent of surgery

Weeks

Typical recovery

Most patients feel significantly better within a few weeks as swelling settles and the sinuses begin to drain freely again

All ages

Children through to adults

David treats patients of all ages. Sinus problems in children are carefully assessed to determine whether surgery is the right step

Regular

Sinus Operating Lists

Experienced, high-volume surgeon

All ages

Patients Treated

Children through to adults

Safe

Proven Technique

Endoscopic surgery with no external incisions

Experienced. Every week.

Sinus surgery requires detailed anatomical knowledge and consistent surgical experience. David operates on sinuses most weeks, using experienced endoscopic techniques that minimise trauma and support a straightforward recovery.

Surgical Technique

Experienced, minimally invasive sinus surgery

Dr Waterhouse performs functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) working entirely through the nostrils with no external incisions. He opens the natural drainage pathways of the sinuses to restore airflow and allow the lining to heal.

David also has training in DCR (dacryocystorhinostomy), a procedure to unblock the tear duct that drains into the nose. David and Brian Kent-Smith from the Eye Institute form a team approach to helping patients with persistent watery eyes, combining their expertise to deliver the best outcome.

His sinus practice combines well with his functional rhinoplasty work, allowing correction of a deviated nasal septum or narrowed nasal valve at the same time where needed, streamlining your care and avoiding a second procedure.

David also works closely with Rebekah Thompson from Northern Allergy to ensure that allergy is identified and managed as part of your sinus care. Where allergy is contributing to your symptoms, we make sure this is treated appropriately alongside or before surgery.

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) DCR – Tear Duct Surgery Septoplasty Functional Rhinoplasty Rebekah Thompson, Northern Allergy

An experienced sinus surgeon, based in Northland

Dr David Waterhouse, FRACS, Experienced Endoscopic Sinus Surgeon, Whangarei

Dr Waterhouse is an experienced ENT surgeon who operates on sinuses most weeks. He treats patients of all ages, from children through to adults, including those who have struggled with sinusitis for years without finding lasting relief from medication alone.

David works with Brian Kent-Smith from the Eye Institute on DCR procedures for watery eyes, and with Rebekah Thompson from Northern Allergy to ensure ongoing allergy management is part of every patient’s care. His functional rhinoplasty practice means that nasal obstruction and sinus disease can often be addressed together.

Treatment is covered by most major health insurance policies. David is an affiliated provider with Southern Cross Health Insurance, and works with all other major New Zealand health insurers. Please ask our team when you get in touch.

FRACS Experienced Endoscopic Sinus Surgeon Regular Sinus Operating Lists Southern Cross Affiliated DCR with Brian Kent-Smith (Eye Institute) Rebekah Thompson, Northern Allergy Children & Adults Based in Whangarei

A team that gets things done. Our experienced team will guide you through every step, from your first call to post-operative care. We are used to working with people through the full journey and making the process as straightforward as possible.

We make it easy for you.

Our team handles the details so you can focus on getting better.

1

Contact Our Team

Call, email, or fill in our contact form. No referral needed to get started

2

Scan Arranged

We help organise a CT scan of your sinuses so David can assess what is going on

3

Assessment

David reviews your scan and symptoms and tells you clearly whether surgery is likely to help

4

Surgery & Follow-up

Day procedure at Whangarei. Our team supports you through recovery and post-operative care

How to get seen

No referral needed. Contact us directly.

01

Contact us

Call, email, or fill in our contact form. You can refer yourself. Bring any previous scans or letters from your GP if you have them.

02

Scan and assessment

We arrange a CT scan of your sinuses. David reviews your imaging and symptoms, and tells you clearly whether surgery is likely to help.

03

Surgery and recovery

Most patients are treated as a day procedure. Some may require an overnight stay. Our team will guide you through every step of recovery.

Common questions

Everything you need to know before getting in touch.

Do I need a GP referral?

No. You can contact Dr Waterhouse directly by phone, email, or our contact form. No referral needed to get started.

Is sinus surgery covered by health insurance?

Treatment is covered by most major New Zealand health insurance policies. David is an affiliated provider with Southern Cross Health Insurance, and works with all other major New Zealand health insurers. Ask us when you get in touch.

Can children have sinus surgery?

Yes. David treats patients of all ages. Sinus surgery in children is carefully considered, and he will explain clearly what is involved and whether surgery is the right step for your child.

What if I also have watery eyes?

Persistent watery eyes are often caused by a blocked tear duct. David and Brian Kent-Smith from the Eye Institute work together as a team to help patients with this problem. DCR (tear duct surgery) can sometimes be combined with sinus surgery to streamline your care.

How do I know if surgery will help?

A CT scan is the key diagnostic step. We can arrange this for you. David will review your scan and symptoms and tell you clearly whether surgery is warranted. We also measure your symptoms before and after treatment so you can track your progress.

How long is recovery?

Most patients feel significantly better within a few weeks as swelling settles and the sinuses drain freely. Most operations are performed as a day case, though some may require an overnight stay.