I’m a sitting regional councillor who has been active in representing Porirua and Tawa. I previously served a term as a regional councillor in the 90s.

We are making real progress with Porirua harbour restoration, Tawa flood protection, developing Whitireia as a regional park, getting new trains and keeping our rates down.  I will continue working for a sustainable inlet and harbour; better management of soil and stormwater runoff into our waterways; better coordination between regional and city councils and communities; improved regional parks; more reliable and accessible public transport services and parking; and efficient, sustainable regional development.  Water must not be privatised.

It is important the regional council does not become a retirement home for former mayors.  It needs a range of skills for the challenges ahead.  I’m a proven performer and have experience as a Chief Executive, senior manager, quality development specialist, a mother who has raised her family locally, a JP and a celebrant.

 

Our DHB is in trouble.  Urgent action is needed to address financial and service issues.  The Board needs people like me with experience in governance, management and health systems.   

I’ve been a senior manager at Kenepuru, Porirua and Paraparaumu Hospitals and Chief Executive of Quality Health NZ.  I’m an international specialist in health service quality and a quality auditor.  I know the importance of accessible basic healthcare as well as our hospitals meeting the highest standards.

We need to maintain after hours and appropriate day services for Kapiti Coast, Porirua and Tawa/North Wellington.  Children’s health services and residential and home support services for older people must be prioritised.  A&E services must not be downgraded to meet budget deficits. 

 

 

Top 5 Issues

1. Stream and harbour protection - we need better management of soil and stormwater runoff into our waterways and sewage leakage, support for restoration planting, and public education and communication on how we can all play a part.
2. Regional park development - Whitireia needs to be developed as a regional park and sustainable land management plans are needed for all parks to make sure the land is used in the best way for planting, recreation and biodiversity.
3. More reliable and accessible public transport - we not only need new trains but better communication through real time information at bus stops and on train stations, integrated ticketing so passengers can use a single ticket for a complete journey and more parking at stations or other alternatives.
4. Improved child and older people's health services - we need to focus on child health and work with all sectors of the community on things that make a difference like immunisation rates, warm housing, healthy food
   - better residental and home support services are needed for older people
5. Maintenance of local after hours/A&E services - this is particularly important for residents of Kapiti Coast, Porirua and Tawa/North Wellington who need accessible services at Kenepuru and Paraparaumu supported by approrpiate day services. Front line services must not be sacrificed to reduce debt - sensible financial management is needed.

Personal Profile

I am a long-term resident of Porirua and brought up my family of four children locally.  I have previously lived and worked in Tawa, and in my early married life lived in Northland and Highbury.  I am a registered psychologist and also have a business degree and certificate in health economics. I am a member of the NZ Psychological Society and an Associate Fellow of the NZ Institute of Health Management/Australasian College of Health Service Executives.  I am a JP and a celebrant.

I am currently a Greater Wellington Regional Councillor for the Proirua and Tawa constituency, and was also a regional councillor for a term in the 1990s.  I am the Regional Council representative on the Pauatahanui Inlet Community Trust and the Whitireia Park Trust Board.

Additionally I work as an international health quality specialist, most recently working on projects to improve health services in Kazakhstan, Jordan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Kashmir.  From 2003 -2008  I was the Accreditation Manager for the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua), working on the assessment of healthcare accreditation/evaluation organisations and their standards and training programmes in over 30 countries.  I also served as Chair of the ISQua Accreditation Federation Council and as a mamber of the ISQua Board from 1998 - 2003.  In 2008 ISQua awarded me a Distinguished Service Award in Copenhagen.  Locally I have worked on quality development for Presbyterian Support Central in the elderly care, home support and family service areas.

My involvement with ISQua began when I was Chief Executive of Quality Health New Zealand (the New Zealand Council on Healthcare Standards), the accreditation organisation for health services,  from 1995 - 2002.  Prior to that I had been Manager Operations and Support Services, West Coast District, Wellington Area Health Board, and Director of Administration at Kenepuru Hospital. 

I have always been active in the community.  I was on the Porirua Licensing Trust from 1986 - 1995, and was Deputy Chair from 1989 - 1995 and was Chair of the Whitireia Scholarship Trust.  I am a life member of the Ngatitoa Tennis Club and was the 1986 Porirua Sports Administrator of the Year.

I am passionate about ensuring the sustainability of our environment and our region, and improving the health of our people through stronger, more responsive health systems.