About Us

The Franklin Health Group Inc was established in 2009 and currently has 20 Health & Wellness Practitioners.

Our Health & Wellness practitioners cover the Franklin District (and surrounding areas). We meet on a regular basis to network, mingle and promote health and wellness in our community.

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FHG Inc Committee and Executive

Melissa Walker-Tate

Chair

Melissa is new to the group and has hit the ground running, as the new Chair. Her enthusiasm and business experience brings fresh inspiration to the group . We look forward to her guidance to fulfill our purpose

Melissa is a an Occupational Therapist, specialising in pediatrics. She is the owner and managing director for 'Connecting Together', which is a community service providing Occupational Therapy services, assessments, care, intervention, therapy and guidance to children and families.

Elaine Rudkin

Acting Vice-Chair

Elaine was one of the founding members of the Franklin Health Group Inc in 2009. She has been on the executive committee since 2010, and helped the group to become a NZ non-profit Incorporated Society.

Elaine has been involved in our very successful Franklin Health Expos in, 2010, 2011 and 2012. And also other expos our FHG Inc supports; Franklin Positive Ageing Expo (since 2010), Franklin Council of Social Services (FRANCOSS) health expos, and several others events.

Elaine has been on the FHG Inc executive committee for many years, and served as our Chair for 2016-2020

Elaine is a traditionally trained and ACC registered acupuncturist. Elaine has an extensive background in nursing and midwifery. Alongside traditional oriental techniques she offers wellness advice, use herbs, homeopathy, Bach flowers and supplements.

She co-runs 2 general clinics for both adults and children, pregnancy and fertility and are located at Pukekohe Hospital and also in Drury at J Marrs Physiotherapy.

Elaine aspires to promote positive change and improve the well being of those in the local community, opening up the power of Chinese medicine.

Tamara Bennett

Secretary

Tamara was one of the founding members of the Franklin Health Group Inc in 2009, serving on the executive committee since 2010, and instrumental to the FHG's NZ non-profit Incorporated Society status.

She was also the Expo Coordinator for our very successful Franklin Health Expos in, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Tamara also helps to organise the groups commitment to join other expos; Franklin Positive Ageing Expo (since 2010), Franklin Council of Social Services (FRANCOSS) health expos, and several others events.

Tamara manages the FHG Inc website and Facebook page for the group.

Tamara is a Master Trainer for the Tai Chi for Health Institute, and authorised to train TCH instructors. She has been practising tai chi and qigong since 1999, and has been the Managing Director and Instructor for her Smiling Dragon Tai Chi & Qigong business since 2004. Tamara runs tai chi and qigong community classes, Zoom online classes, workshops, tai chi in school , tai chi in the workplace, and offers 'Breathe' coaching.

She looks forward to decades of learning, sharing and enjoying the benefits of tai chi and qigong.

Barb Starke

Treasurer

Barb has been a member of the Franklin Health Group Inc since 2014. She has been on the executive committee since 2017 as Treasurer. Barb brings a great business sense to our group dynamics.

Barb is a Advanced Registered EFT Practitioner and registered Matrix Reimprinting Practitioner a certified Rahanni Practitioner, a certified Ho’oponopono Practitioner. She is the Managing Director for her ‘Empower You with Barb’ business since 2004. Barb works locally and internationally, online and in person specialising in helping people with stress, anxiety and emotional regulation. I also incorporate mindfulness, optimal EFT and Heart Math Breathing into my sessions, acknowledging the importance of heart, brain and gut coherence to our emotional, physical and mental health and the vital role the over stimulation of the vagus nerve plays in emotional and physical health. Barb has been running her own practice for 4 years and work with a large range of clients. She loves to see the confidence and inner smiles in clients as they release their stresses and come into their own, building resilience. Barb is honoured to hold a safe space for her clients during their healing.

Judy Harriman

Committee Member

Judy was one of the founding members of the Franklin Health Group Inc in 2009. She has been on the committee since 2010, and helped the group to become a NZ non-profit Incorporated Society.

Judy was also the on the Expo Committee and served as Co-Coordinator for our very successful Franklin Health Expos in, 2010, 2011 and 2012. She also helps to organise the groups commitment to join other expos; Franklin Positive Ageing Expo (since 2010), Franklin Council of Social Services (FRANCOSS) health expos, and several others events. Judy is a Registered Reiki Master Practitioner, a Registered First Light Flower Essence Practitioner, and a Certified Crystal Healer. Reiki is very beneficial for stress, anxiety, fatigue, recovery after surgery, emotions, pain relief, and much more. Crystal Healing is great to balance your chakras and works wonderfully with Reiki. She use the First Light NZ Native Flower Essences to help with any situation in your life. As well as being a Reiki Practitioner she also teach Reiki workshops and Crystal Therapy workshops.

Heather Fausett

Committee Member

Heather was one of the founding members of the Franklin Health Group Inc in 2009. She has been on the committee and helped the group to become a NZ non-profit Incorporated Society.

Heather has been involved in our very successful Franklin Health Expos in, 2010, 2011 and 2012. And also other expos our FHG Inc supports; Franklin Positive Ageing Expo (since 2010), Franklin Council of Social Services (FRANCOSS) health expos, and several others events. Heather is a Registered nurse, Cancer survivor and a Certified Nutritionist. Heather consults as a lifestyle coach, helping you to live a full and vibrant life, with a holistic approach, focusing mostly on nutrition, exercise and lifestyle to achieve this. She offer the products you need for a healthy lifestyle direct wholesale where possible, from the manufacturer or distributor, so that you can spend your dollar wisely and be informed and responsible for your health. Heather believe that living life well should be Fun and Easy!

Lindy Bingham

Committee

Lindy was one of the founding members of the Franklin Health Group Inc in 2009. She has been on the committee since 2010, and helped the group to become a NZ non-profit Incorporated Society.

Lindy was was involved in our very successful Franklin Health Expos in, 2010, 2011 and 2012. She also helps to organise the groups commitment to join other expos; Franklin Positive Ageing Expo (since 2010), Franklin Council of Social Services (FRANCOSS) health expos, and several others events. Lindy is a traditionally trained and ACC registered acupuncturist. She has an extensive background in nursing and midwifery. Alongside traditional oriental techniques, she offers wellness advice.