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Southern Cross Affiliated Provider

See a sleep specialist in Auckland or online

Specialist-led care for snoring, sleep apnoea, insomnia and other sleep concerns, in person in Greenlane or by video from anywhere in New Zealand.

What’s affecting your sleep? How to get a referral Enquire about an appointment

The Sleep Specialists is a specialist sleep medicine clinic inside Greenlane Doctors, Auckland. We assess and treat sleep disorders in adults and young people aged 16 and over, in person or by video.

Why Choose The Sleep Specialists?

  • Specialist-led care

    Our clinic is led by Dr Sonia Cherian, a dual-trained Respiratory and Sleep Physician with experience in diagnosing and managing a wide range of sleep disorders.

  • Comprehensive sleep medicine

    We assess more than just sleep apnoea, including insomnia, hypersomnolence, circadian rhythm disorders and complex sleep conditions.

  • Convenient access

    Attend an in-person consultation in central Auckland or see a sleep specialist virtually from anywhere in New Zealand.

  • Sleep testing and treatment

    We provide home sleep studies, CPAP trials and access to evidence-based treatment pathways tailored to individual needs.

  • Coordinated care

    We work with your referring GP to ensure continuity of care.

What’s Affecting Your Sleep?

Sleep problems can show up in different ways. Choose a concern to learn what might be happening and how we can help.

I’m always tired or sleepy

Always tired or sleepy

Feeling exhausted even after a full night in bed, or nodding off during the day, is not something you just have to live with. It often has a treatable cause.

What might be happening?

  • Obstructive sleep apnoea, where breathing repeatedly pauses during sleep
  • Not getting enough sleep, or poor-quality sleep from insomnia
  • Hypersomnolence disorders such as narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia
  • A body clock that is out of sync with your daily routine
  • Medicines, mood or other health conditions, which your GP can check

When should I see a sleep specialist?

If you regularly feel sleepy during the day, wake unrefreshed despite enough time in bed, or tiredness is affecting your work, driving or daily life.

How we can help

A sleep physician looks at your sleep history and may arrange a sleep study to find the cause, then recommends treatment for that cause.

Safety: If you feel sleepy while driving, pull over and rest, and speak to your GP soon.

How to see a sleep specialist

I snore or stop breathing during sleep

Snoring or pauses in breathing

Loud snoring, especially with pauses, gasping or choking, can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Not all snoring is sleep apnoea, but it is worth checking.

What might be happening?

  • Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA): the airway narrows or closes during sleep, briefly stopping breathing
  • Simple snoring, without breathing pauses

When should I see a sleep specialist?

If a partner notices pauses in your breathing, gasping or choking, or if loud snoring comes with daytime sleepiness or morning headaches.

How we can help

A home sleep study can show whether sleep apnoea is present and how severe it is. Treatment options include CPAP, a mandibular advancement splint, positional therapy, weight management and, in selected cases, surgery.

How to see a sleep specialist

I struggle to fall or stay asleep

Trouble falling or staying asleep

Lying awake for hours, waking in the early morning, or dreading bedtime are common signs of insomnia. Insomnia is very treatable, often without relying on sleeping pills.

What might be happening?

  • Insomnia, which can start with stress and continue out of habit
  • Insomnia together with sleep apnoea, which is common
  • A delayed body clock, if you only feel sleepy very late
  • Restless legs or other conditions that disturb sleep

When should I see a sleep specialist?

If poor sleep happens at least three nights a week for three months or more, or it’s affecting your mood, work or energy during the day.

How we can help

Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the recommended first treatment. Our sleep physicians are trained in CBT-I and may use sleep diaries to guide it.

How to see a sleep specialist

My legs feel restless at night

Restless legs at night

An uncomfortable urge to move your legs in the evening or at night, eased by moving, may be restless legs syndrome (RLS). It can make it hard to get to sleep.

What might be happening?

  • Restless legs syndrome
  • Low iron levels, which can make restless legs worse
  • Some medicines, which your GP or specialist can review

When should I see a sleep specialist?

If the urge to move your legs regularly delays your sleep, wakes you up, or leaves you tired during the day.

How we can help

Assessment usually includes checking iron levels and reviewing medicines. Treatment depends on the cause and how much it affects your sleep.

How to see a sleep specialist

My body clock seems out of sync

Body clock out of sync

If you can only fall asleep very late, wake far too early, or struggle with shift work, your body clock (circadian rhythm) may be out of step with the times you need to sleep.

What might be happening?

  • Delayed sleep phase: naturally falling asleep and waking very late
  • Advanced sleep phase: getting sleepy and waking very early
  • Shift work or jet lag

When should I see a sleep specialist?

If your natural sleep times regularly clash with work, study or family life, or shift work leaves you struggling to sleep or stay alert.

How we can help

Treatment may include carefully timed light exposure, a regular routine and, in some cases, melatonin taken at a specific time under medical guidance.

How to see a sleep specialist

I do unusual things while sleeping

Unusual behaviour during sleep

Sleepwalking, talking, night terrors or acting out dreams are called parasomnias. Most are harmless, but some need assessment, particularly if someone could get hurt.

What might be happening?

  • Sleepwalking, sleep talking or night terrors
  • Acting out dreams (REM sleep behaviour disorder)
  • Sleep paralysis
  • Episodes triggered by another sleep problem such as sleep apnoea

When should I see a sleep specialist?

If episodes are frequent, have caused injury or could, started in adulthood, or you act out your dreams.

How we can help

A sleep physician will look at what happens and when. Some people need an overnight sleep study. Treatment focuses on safety and on any underlying trigger.

Safety: If you or a bed partner could be injured during episodes, mention this to your GP.

How to see a sleep specialist

This information is general and doesn’t replace advice from your doctor. If you’re worried about your sleep, talk to your GP.

How to See a Sleep Specialist

A simple three-step process. We work with your GP to make sure you get the right assessment and care.

Step 1 of 3

Speak with your GP

You’ll need a referral from your GP to see us. If you’re concerned about your sleep, talk to your GP and ask for a referral to The Sleep Specialists.

Let your GP know about your symptoms

You may wish to mention:

  • Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
  • Snoring or pauses in breathing
  • Difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep
  • Restless legs or other sleep-related symptoms

Request a referral

Your GP can refer you to The Sleep Specialists. We see adults and young people aged 16 and over.

No referral yet? We can help

Send us an enquiry and we’ll give you a call. We can hold an appointment for you while you get your referral and, with your permission, contact your GP practice to request it for you.

Enquire about an appointment
A patient talking with their GP, who is writing a referral

Step 2 of 3

Book your consultation

Once we receive your referral, we’ll send you a booking link and call you to arrange your appointment. If you’ve already enquired, we may be holding an appointment for you.

We check your insurance

We check your health insurance cover for you. As a Southern Cross Affiliated Provider for selected services, we can arrange Southern Cross pre-approval. If there’s a shortfall, we’ll let you know before your appointment.

Choose video or in person

  • Video consultation from anywhere in New Zealand, usually within 1 week
  • In-person consultation in Greenlane, Auckland, usually within 2–3 weeks
Southern Cross Affiliated Provider
A patient booking an appointment online, with our team available by phone

Step 3 of 3

Receive your personalised plan

You’ll see a sleep specialist, who will review your symptoms and sleep history and explain what’s likely going on.

Your plan may include

  • A home sleep study
  • A CPAP trial, with support from our sleep physiologist
  • A mandibular advancement splint, or a referral to discuss surgery
  • Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and sleep diaries
  • Medication, in some cases

We keep your GP informed

We send your GP a summary so your care stays coordinated.

A sleep specialist going through sleep study results with a patient, with a CPAP machine in the background

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a GP referral to see a sleep specialist in Auckland?

Yes. The Sleep Specialists sees patients following a referral from their GP or another healthcare professional, so care stays coordinated with your existing clinical team. Ask your GP to refer you to The Sleep Specialists in Greenlane, Auckland. If you don’t have a referral yet, send us an enquiry: we can hold an appointment for you while you get one and, with your permission, contact your GP practice to request the referral.

How long is the wait to see a sleep specialist?

Video consultations are usually available within 1 week, and in-person consultations in Greenlane, Auckland, within 2–3 weeks.

Can I see a sleep specialist online in New Zealand?

Yes. We offer secure video consultations with a sleep physician for patients anywhere in New Zealand. Sleep medicine suits virtual care well because assessment is based largely on your history and sleep study results. Home sleep studies and CPAP equipment can be posted to you when appropriate.

Where is The Sleep Specialists clinic?

We are inside Greenlane Doctors, 205 Great South Road, Greenlane, Auckland 1051. Free parking is available in front of and behind the building. Please use the Greenlane Doctors entrance at the front.

Does Southern Cross cover a sleep specialist appointment?

The Sleep Specialists is a Southern Cross Affiliated Provider for selected services, so we can arrange pre-approval for eligible members. Cover depends on your policy. We check your insurance before your appointment and let you know about any shortfall in advance.

How do I know if I have sleep apnoea?

Common signs of obstructive sleep apnoea include loud snoring, pauses in breathing or gasping during sleep, waking unrefreshed and feeling sleepy during the day. The only way to confirm it is a sleep study, which a sleep specialist can arrange and interpret.

Is snoring always a sign of sleep apnoea?

No. Many people snore without having sleep apnoea. Snoring is more concerning when it comes with pauses in breathing, choking or gasping, or daytime sleepiness. If you have these symptoms, talk to your GP about a referral.

What is a home sleep study?

A home sleep study uses a small device you wear overnight in your own bed. Depending on the type, it records breathing, oxygen levels, body position and sometimes brain activity to show how well you sleep and whether conditions such as sleep apnoea are present. Some sleep studies can be posted to you.

What is a CPAP trial?

For people diagnosed with significant obstructive sleep apnoea, we offer a 4-week CPAP trial to see how well the treatment works. Our sleep physiologist helps with mask fitting and adjusting to therapy. If CPAP helps, you can choose to buy a machine, and eligible patients can be referred to the publicly funded CPAP programme.

Are there treatments for sleep apnoea other than CPAP?

Yes. Depending on your situation, options can include a mandibular advancement splint made by a dentist, positional therapy, weight management, or surgery in selected cases. Our physicians work with ENT surgeons and dental specialists to find the right option.

How is insomnia treated without sleeping pills?

The recommended first treatment for insomnia is cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). It helps reset sleep patterns and the thoughts and habits that keep insomnia going. Our sleep physicians are trained in CBT-I and work with sleep-trained psychologists for more complex cases.

What sleep problems does a sleep specialist treat?

We assess and treat obstructive sleep apnoea, snoring, insomnia, hypersomnolence disorders such as narcolepsy, circadian rhythm disorders, restless legs syndrome and parasomnias such as sleepwalking.

Why see a sleep physician instead of buying a sleep test online?

Community sleep tests vary in quality and in what they measure. A sleep physician first assesses your symptoms, then chooses the most appropriate test and interprets the results, so you get an accurate diagnosis and evidence-based treatment recommendations.

What age groups do you see?

We see adults and young people aged 16 and over.

Enquire About an Appointment

You’ll need a GP referral to see us, but you’re welcome to get in touch first. Leave your details and we’ll call you to talk through your options. We can hold an appointment while you get your referral and, with your permission, contact your GP practice to request it for you.

For example, the best time to call you, or whether you’d prefer video or in person. Please don’t include medical details here. We’ll talk about those with you by phone.

Prefer to talk? Call us on 09 243 0990 or email reception@thesleepspecialists.nz.

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