I believe a large number of Waihi people want me to represent them on council.

 

I received nearly 1600 votes in 2004 when I stood against Basil Morrison, then Head of Local Govt NZ.

 

I am pleased to be part of such a huge list of candidates for Waihi Ward this election. District councils make major decisions concerning our health and welfare and it's great to see so many people getting involved.

 

My skills and experience would be extremely useful in council. My time with the news media and community groups have given me a privileged insight into local body governance and the Resource Management Act.

 

I've worked voluntarily with Waihi Community Resource Centre from 1988 to 2007 and in this time it went from being mainly volunteer to becoming a significant employer and providing much needed services in the district. At different times I have been in the role of chair, vice-chair and secretary. I was on the steering committee for Waihi Information Centre and worked there as a volunteer for a while.

 

I was on Waihi Arts council when we organised the Handz On Expo, The Grate Waihi Craft Show and The Last Waltz. These were major cultural events showcasing local arts and craftspeople, incorporating music and dance including The Topp Twins, Ralph Bennett, and Tongan dance troupe. I was involved in the formation of the Ohinemuri Earthwatch around 1990. It was a high profile environmental advocacy group which did its best to assist people that were being unfairly treated. I have been secretary of the Goldmine Country Music Club, I assisted with the formation of the Waihi Community Lifestyle Trust and am currently on committee of Waihi Advocacy Service.

 

In 1987 I attended the six week long hearing for the Martha Mine Licence and later in the year joined an engineering company building the crusher and conveyor system for the recently approved project.

 

As a busy reporter writing articles for the Waihi Leader, Paeroa Post, Thames Star, Waihi Gazette, Paeroa and Thames Valley Gazettes, I interviewed many significant leaders such as Jenny Shipley, Jeanette Fitzsimons, Jim Anderton, Winston Peters, Laila Harre and Richard Prebble.

 

I have lived in the Ohinemuri area since coming to Waihi Beach from Hastings in 1979. At 24 years old I was Managing Fenn Motors Parts in Waihi. We dealt with components for all makes and models of cars, trucks, tractors, chainsaws, heavy and farm machinery. I've also worked in hospitality, the dairy industry, and for a number of years in mental health support. From 1993 till 2000 I was an efficient territorial soldier in 6 Hauraki Regiment.

 

Recently I journeyed south, visiting all parts of the island, studying music in Invercargill and working at a local wool scourers and a meat works.

Top 5 Issues

1. Democracy and people empowerment.
   
   This is our country. We are an egalitarian society and are free to participate in our own local government. I truly believe the replacement of our borough, county, city councils and catchment boards by the bigger bureaucracies has disempowered us as a community.
2. Protection of assets.
   
   Hauraki's biggest asset is its natural environment. Our beaches, bush, hills, and rivers, like those of Coromandel, offer visitors healthy and inexpensive experiences. Unlike Coromandel we have millions of tonnes of toxic waste in the form of tailings dams and we need to ensure that no more are permitted.
3. Ensuring value for money for residents.
   
   Everyone knows the result of living beyond your means. Burdening an entire district of people with debt to finance councilors' inappropriate and unaffordable schemes is unacceptable.
4. Mining industry in Hauraki.
   
   The company mining in Waihi currently have shown themselves to be more responsible in our environment than previous miners. They have financed a major engineering feat and shifted the Cornish Pumphouse. They have also taken part in a community process that has provided direct cash payouts in mitigation for affected residents. This process can be improved by making these payouts more often or making them more substantial.
   
   I really don't see any evidence that Waihi has a better economy than similar towns. Surely it should have, considering it has the biggest gold strike in the country being mined here. A good example of why I am concerned is statsistics that revelaed Waihi's schools' lower decile rating than those in Paeroa, Katikati and Whangamata. Where's all the money going? Not on our footpaths it would appear.
5. Ensuring good relations.
   
   With our burgeoning relationship with both Taiwan and The People's Republic of China I think it would be wise for HDC to foster social interaction between us all to help promote harmony and ensure visitors and immigrants feel comfortable here.

Personal Profile

I was born in 1957 and have remained single. I grew up in a big family and my most abiding ambition as a child was to have my own space when I grew up. I've managed to keep it that way and I like it. I have lots of people round me who love me and I'm quite happy though I understand people may feel it is a selfish lifestyle. I'm not a father and I'm not even a hell of a good uncle but I'm learning all the time. Now I'm a great uncle three times over with plenty of nieces and nephews to add to this. I like writing both fiction, non-fiction and songs. I enjoy playing music and singing at local music clubs as well as doing street performances. Walking is a pleasure of mine too and it's so fine to live in an area like this.