I was born in Tokoroa in 1960, married to Clare and now our children have left the nest. I believe in family values. I am passionate about the South Waikato. I believe that people are our greatest asset. If we build into our youth, strengthen the people around us and support our senior citizens, together we can build a strong and healthy community.

I am asking for your vote to be a councillor. I want to see the South Waikato flourish. The Council has planned for growth with the zoning of subdivisions and commercial areas. We have rail and road links to major centres; we need to encourage new business and create employment.

I serve on a number of committees in our community. I am experienced in management, research & development, and problem solving. Currently working as a Manager and Social Worker in Tokoroa.

I will Listen, It's our town and our families future let's build it together!

Top 5 Issues

1. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: This is critical: we need to make use of our road and rail links and our position in the central north island. We need to encourage new industry by offering rates relief to businesses that bring 20/50 jobs to the district. This then will have a down stream effect of growing the local economy. Working families are productive families.
2. RATES INDEXED TO INFLATION : (or below) Every family has to live within a budget, so should the council. Should a major capital project be proposed for the area that would increase rates a binding referendum should be held by council.
   Council budget and fiscal responsibility equals affordable rates for families.
   
3. EDUCATION : The council has the South Waikato Investment Fund. This is money that is invested to off set the cost of rates. I say lets take out a leaf from Southlands polytechnic zero fees approach. Many of our young and brightest leave the district for tertiary education. I say lets invest in our young people and support polytechnic, trade training and apprenticeship schools so that our young people can grow and flourish. Education of our youth creates families and youths with a positive future and a hope.
4. SOCIAL POLICY : We have significant health and social needs with in our community. We need to look at policies and support around access to general practitioners, hospital treatment, drug and alcohol, budgeting services and social work support.
   We have seen there is public support around action around domestic violence, pokie gambling and an over supply of alcohol outlets. The council needs to make policy around issues of social harm so that we can protect our families. Healthy families build healthy communities.
   

Personal Profile

I enjoy rugby "Go the mighty Waikato." Fishing for trout. Helping people achieve their potential and building the community.

Somebody asked me recently "what qualifications do you have to be a councillor?" my response was “That I would like to create a healthy safer community, I have a diploma in Social Work and a Management Diploma with honours. So I believe I have a healthy balance between business realities and social responsibility."

Discovery consists of seeing what everybody else has seen but thinking what nobody else has thought. I believe that I think out side the square; this gives me the ability to be inclusive and find solutions to problems and situations. I believe in a collaborative approach to working with families. 

I am Christian; Elder in the Elim Church Tokoroa. Work as a manager and social worker for the Salvation Army Tokoroa. Not perfect just forgiven.