Research Faculty

Dr Heidi Haavik- Director of Research

Dr Haavik graduated from the New Zealand College of Chiropractic in 1999, and was awarded her PhD degree by the University of Auckland in 2008. She is currently the Director of Research at the New Zealand College of Chiropractic where she has established two human neurophysiology research laboratories.

Dr Haavik has received numerous research awards and has published a number of award winning papers in chiropractic and neurophysiology journals. She has presented her work to both the chiropractic and neuroscience communities around Australasia, North America and Europe. She is on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics and Journal of Chiropractic Education.

Dr Haavik was named Chiropractor of the year in 2007 by both the New Zealand Chiropractic Association and the New Zealand College of Chiropractic Alumni Association.


Dr Kelly Holt  - Assistant Director of Research

Dr Holt was a member of the 1998 inaugural graduating class of the New Zealand College of Chiropractic. Besides his chiropractic degree he also holds a Bachelor of Science majoring in Physiology, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Biostatistics and Epidemiology, which was awarded with distinction by the University of Auckland in 2009. Dr Holt has also completed post graduate chiropractic neurology training through the Carrick Institute for Graduate Studies.

Dr Holt's areas of research interest include fall prevention, neurology, reliability of vertebral subluxation indicators, and population health. He is currently enrolled in his PhD at the University of Auckland. His PhD focuses on the effects of chiropractic care on sensorimotor function and falls risk in older adults.
In 2009 Dr Holt was awarded a prestigious three year University of Auckland Senior Health Research Doctoral Scholarship, and he has received three large scale research grants from the Australian Spinal Research Foundation to assist with his doctoral research.

Dr Holt has been teaching at the New Zealand College of Chiropractic since 2000 and currently teaches the neuroscience and research courses. Dr Holt is the Assistant Director of Research at the College and is on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal and Family Health – Chiropractic.