Although born and raised in Hastings, I’ve spent the last 25 years living in Napier, working as a school teacher, journalist and most recently as a councillor.
I’ve been described as being a high-profile councillor, and that’s simply because I spend a lot of my time out in the community getting to know many of Napier’s diverse citizens, and am involved in a wide range of voluntary groups and organisations.
I see my job as serving the people of Napier, and in order to do that, I feel it’s important to be out there meeting and listening to people so I can best represent them.
My current council roles are: chairing Keep Napier Beautiful committee and the Creative Communities committee, co-chairing the Positive Aging Trust; and outside of council, I’m secretary of Napier Grey Power, secretary of Tu Tangata Maraenui, I’m on the Maraenui Rugby and Sports Association Board, on the COGS committee, the Maraenui Community Council Trust, the Napier Rotary Club and am regional chair of Computers in the Homes committee.
At the council table, I am particularly concerned about how our decision making and policies affect low-income families, children and the elderly, many of whom are struggling to put food on the table. I’m pleased to see the range of free activities we’ve built on the Parade, and am glad we have cheaper rates at our Onekawa Pools for pensioners and beneficiaries. However, I think we should continue to explore other options, especially in the areas of affordable housing and youth unemployment.
I’ve signed up to the Tick for Kids campaign in which candidates for local bodies are asked to become champions for children and young people, and to seek specific ways to demonstrate that commitment to the younger generation.
I came on to Council after lobbying successfully for the mixed-ward system, and for the same reason I supported wards, I’m against amalgamating with Hastings. A unitary council would mean you’d be far removed from the small number of Napier councillors who would be representing you as a minority on the joint council.
In the interests of supporting vulnerable members of our community, I’ve picketed stores selling synthetic cannabinoids, I stand with the DHB and the police in wanting to close bars at 2 am rather than 3 am, and I’d like to see fewer pokie machines in our city.
I’m proud to have been part of a council that has kept rates low, maintained our infrastructure, built a new Museum and Art gallery, a bus terminal, as well as new family-friendly attractions along the parade.
With a new Mayor, new CE, and new councillors, it is important also to have experienced councillors in the mix. As someone who has built positive relationships with colleagues, citizens and staff, I believe I can help steer council and our people through the uncertain term ahead.
