Our Team
Dr Dean Carter, (B.Chiro) MNZCA, Chiropractor, Director
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata! What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people!
Dr Dean's approach to health and life philosophy is holistic, vitalistic and natural. His unique view of health is the underpinning foundation of Living Chiropractic & Wellness. Dr Dean believes in taking the time to get to the core issue of health problems. He sets out to understand the contributing factors of his patients health concerns, rather than simply dealing with their symptoms. The impact of losing many family members to lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer was the main influence for him to study health sciences, lifestyle and wellness care as a way of life and vocation.
Dr Dean has twenty years of experience in wellness care and over 15 years in chiropractic. He has a reputation for excellence and provides the people of Franklin with exceptional family wellness care. He is inspired to help families, new-born babies and children, mature citizens, amateur and high performance athletes. Dr Dean recognises the best choice to move forward into optimal health is by ‘Living in Wellness’. Children and adults alike feel nurtured in his warm and friendly centre.
Born and raised in the rural town of Te Kuiti, Dr Dean has always enjoyed the outdoors. He believes that keeping active in the things you love is key to creating a full life, and he makes time for fishing, mountain biking, hiking and yoga. Dr Dean also loves to spend quality time with his three daughters and mokopuna.
Dr Dean empowers his practice members to exercise, maintain postural awareness, and to stretch every day. “Alongside chiropractic care, strengthening the body, mind and soul creates a healthy nervous system and prepares you for physical, emotional and chemical stresses we face everyday”.
Dr Georgia Banks, (B.Chiro) NZCA, Chiropractor
Dr Georgia Banks grew up in Titirangi, surrounded by nature. She loves spending time outdoors, whether hiking in the bush or enjoying the ocean at the beach. Her connection to nature inspires her passion for health and wellness.
Georgia has been receiving chiropractic care since she was young, and she's seen how it can improve her health and the health of her family. This personal experience has driven her to help others discover the benefits of chiropractic care for themselves.
As a former sportswoman, Georgia was part of the Auckland representative team, and she quickly noticed how chiropractic helped her feel stronger and perform better. She believes chiropractic care can help everyone—whether young people, families, or older generations—live healthier and happier lives.
Today, Dr Georgia is focused on helping her patients feel their best, live pain-free, and reach their full potential, just as chiropractic has done for her.
Dr Diana Owens, (B.Chiro) NZCA, Chiropractor
Dr Diana joins our practice with a strong foundation in chiropractic care and a genuine commitment to serving the Franklin community. She is a graduate of the New Zealand College of Chiropractic and brings a holistic approach to health and wellbeing.
Originally from Mt Maunganui, Diana has experienced the benefits of chiropractic care since childhood, which sparked her interest in natural health and wellbeing. This lifelong exposure has shaped her understanding of the body’s innate ability to adapt, heal, and thrive when supported by a well-functioning nervous system. Her care style reflects this philosophy, with a focus on gentle, specific chiropractic adjustments that support people at every stage of life. Growing up seeing the benefits of having her extended family under chiropractic care, Diana loves caring for individuals and families, from children to adults, and is passionate about supporting long term wellbeing, function, and quality of life.
Outside the clinic, one of her favourite interests is Highland dancing, where she also teaches classes in Drury. She enjoys spending time outdoors and loves gardening, and relaxing at the beach, embracing an active and balanced lifestyle that reflects the values she brings into her care.
Elaine Rudkin - Acupuncturist & Wellness Coach
Elaine has been involved in the health profession since 1991. She initially trained as a Registered Nurse in New Zealand, followed by Midwifery training in the United Kingdom in 1996, and later qualified as an Acupuncturist in both New Zealand and Nanjing, China in 2009.
Elaine has a strong interest in supporting wellness and prevention, with extensive knowledge in environmental, nutritional, and lifestyle management to help improve overall health and wellbeing. She has also completed the foundation course in Environmental and Nutritional Medicine through ACNEM (Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine).
Her treatments incorporate a wide range of techniques, including Acupuncture, Guasha, Moxa, Cupping, Acupressure, Electro-therapy, nutritional guidance, and Bach Flower Remedies. Elaine often works collaboratively with General Practitioners, Specialists, Midwives, and other health professionals to support the best possible outcomes for her clients.
She is a member of the New Zealand Acupuncture Standards Authority (NZASA), ensuring strict adherence to clinical guidelines and the use of disposable needles for optimum hygiene. Elaine is ACC approved and committed to ongoing education and professional development to continually enhance her practice.
Book and appointment with Elaine Rudkin
Maryann Lee, Practice Manager
Maryann’s positive outlook on life and her friendly nature is evident when you meet her.
“I love coming to the practice and being part of Living Chiropractic and Wellness. It is so exciting to see the transformation of our new clients who begin their chiropractic journey. We also have so many amazing long-standing clients who have chiropractic care as part of their life to stay well, active and maintain positive mindset. They are truly inspiring, and their energy is contagious to be around. It’s the people in the Centre that make my day”.
Maryann has spent most of her career in education. For over 15 years she worked at Auckland University, Unitec Institute of Technology and Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi. As an e-learning specialist her role was to advise lecturers in developing online course and design digital learning activities for their students. In 2018 Maryann made the decision to shift out of education and pursue her interests in wellness. She enrolled in a full-time Massage course at Wellpark College and loved learning about the anatomy and the healing power of relaxation massage and touch. In 2019, Maryann travelled to India and studied Ayurveda practices for six weeks. Her pursuit for her personal development and understanding of wellness continues to grow.
Kyra Mansell, Chiropractic Assistant
Kyra is our fabulous Chiropractic Assistant who began at Living Chiropractic in 2022, initially as a student carrying out work experience. She enjoyed her experience so much that a year later, she joined the team in a permanent role. Kyra loves being at the front-desk and is a natural at making people feel comfortable and building strong relationships with all our clients.
Along with her family, Kyra has had chiropractic care since she was an infant and understands the importance of living a chiropractic lifestyle. She is a great advocate of chiropractic, and encourages all her friends and family to come into the practice.
Born and raised on a Franklin farm, Kyra enjoys rural life. Learning to live off the land, rear animals and simply enjoying the fresh air - Kyra feels most at home when outdoors in the sun. "Animals and plants have such a wonderful energy which is part of the charm of the Pukekohe region".
Kyra plays netball at a competitive level all year round. She’s been playing since she was seven years old and loves the sport. Kyra learnt that having determination and a positive mindset helps her to make fast decisions on the court. She brings this same attitude to her role and Living Chiropractic & Wellness.
Jen Lynch, Chiropractic Assistant/ Operations Support
Jen joined Living Chiropractic in August of 2024 as a Chiropractic Assistant and in February of 2025 combined that role with operations Co-Ordinator. Jen loves sharing her time at the front desk making connections with our lovely Practice Members and also working in the background on business projects.
Originally from the Midwest US, Jen moved to Pukekohe with 2 of her 4 children to live with her Kiwi partner and his 2 children. Blended families are truly an adventure. Jen cherishes all the family time she gets and also loves quiet escapes to local beaches to enjoy a good book with her canine companion, Iris.
New to the chiropractic lifestyle, Jen has embraced the positive changes she feels and sees in her 2 teenage boys. Jen believes that focusing on your overall wellness and consistent chiropractic care can create lasting change in function and wellbeing.
