About Me
I’m the eldest in my whanau, raised mostly in Kawakawa, but with Dad being a builder we did have stints in Tauranga Bay, Waitiki Landing and Auckland. I’ve been married to my hubby Daniel for 25 years and we have 2 adult children and our baby is 11. I’m a dog lover, and we have 2 Rottweilers and have a cat that follows me around constantly.
Why Are you Standing?
With my many years of serving communities, I want to continue to be the strong proactive voice, that enables change for the better, for everyone.
What is your experience and background?
Bay of Islands – Whangaroa Community Board Member February 2015 – February 2018 My role was to represent and advocate for the interests of the community. The challenges were relationships, financial constraints on our district – and policy. Navigating through these challenges was crucial to getting things done. Timing was a key factor in achieving results. And the rewards in this role, are seeing the results coming to fruition today. In projects such as Te Hononga, the active community response plans, and their volunteer groups for Waikare, Moerewa and Kawakawa, Innovating Streets projects, flood mitigation projects finally starting – and of course the roundabout and decreased speed limits.
Far North District Council, Councillor February 2018 – Present Elected in the by-election 2018. Re-elected in 2019 and serving in the following roles:
– Chair of Regulatory & Compliance Committee
– Chair of District Licensing Committee
– Member on Executive Review Committee
– Member on Infrastructure Network Committee
– Member on Assurance, Risk & Finance Committee
– Member on Strategy & Policy Committee
– Council representative on the Taumarere River Liaison Group
– Council representative on the Kaeo Flood Committee
– Council representative on Sport Northland board
– Council representative on the Bay of Islands Recreation Centre working group
Waikare Marae Trustee August 2019 – Present
Ministerial Advisory Committee Member, National Emergency Management Agency Advisory February 2021 – Present
Taumarere Counselling Service, Aug 2019 – Present
Karetu School Member of the Board May 2013 – Present
Bay of Islands College Member of the Board June 2016 – Present
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa Te Pōkaitahi Reo (Reo Rua) Level 1 and 2 (2022)
Ministry for the Environment, WSP & LGNZ Making Good Decisions Programme (2020)
Local Government New Zealand Political Decision Making 2018
Loud & Clear Supercharge your speaking skills 2018
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa He Papa Tikanga – Level 3 Certificate in Tikanga Maori (2016 – 2017)
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa National Certificate in Maori (Te Waharoa) Level 2, Maori studies · (2015 – 2016)
Local Government New Zealand Chairing Meetings, Conflicts of Interest, Standing Orders 2015
NorthTec Sustainable Rural Development (Level 2), Horticulture and Natural Building Techniques · (2010)
National Certificate in Hospitality (Cafes) Level 3 Hospitality Standards Institute 2006
La Leche League Leader Peer Accreditation La Leche League NZ 2003-2006
Playcentre Adult Education Course 3, 2, 1 Mid-North Playcentre Association 2002-2006
Dispensary Technicians Course Open Polytech of New Zealand 1995-1999
More About Me
I started my first job after 6th form, as a pharmacy assistant at Kawakawa. And went on to become a technician in the dispensary, and after that a couple years at the pharmaceutical wholesaler in customer services in Auckland whilst hubby was studying to become a chef.
When we were finally ready to have our first child, we returned to Kawakawa where we got the opportunity to buy Trainspotter Cafe. We were successful in growing that business and sold that goldmine after 12 years.
This term I am standing for Mayor to continue to be your voice, and to lead our council to be proactive, accessible, and innovative in response to many of the challenges the local government sector needs to navigate
