I am seeking re-election because I’m passionate about making a worthwhile contribution to Napier.

 My key roles on Council are Chairperson of the Corporate Business Committee, a qualified Hearings Commissioner and representative on the Napier Health Advocacy Committee.

 As a committed member of the Council team, I believe we have focused collectively on affordability and good decision-making has kept rate increases to a minimum, whilst allowing major projects to progress.

 Let’s grow Napier with a new family attraction on Marine Parade, marketing and tourism initiatives, a business park development at Lagoon Farm and by working collaboratively with the region’s councils to share services.

 Mother of four adult children, I have lived in Napier for 34 years.  I have finance and accounting qualifications and work in a specialist medical practice.  I’m actively involved in the community and enjoy cultural and sports activities.

 I would be proud to continue representing you.

Top 5 Issues

1. RATES:
   I'm keen to continue working hard to keep rates down. This Council is aware that many of our ratepayers are on fixed or earn lower-than-average incomes and that rate increases do concern them. Keeping our city affordable and balancing the wants and needs of the comunity with the resources available is always a challenge for elected members.
   
2. MARINE PARADE
   Although Marine Parade already provides some good tourist amenities (the National Aquarium, children's playground, Par 2 golf, Rotary Pathway and Ocean Spa), we do need to enhance Marine Parade with a new family attraction. I support partnerships with the private sector as this would help keep the project more affordable for our ratepayers.
3. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
   Napier is an attractive and unique tourism city and while we have had great success with our Win-a-Life and Win-a-Job campaigns, a much stronger focus on marketing Napier as a destination is required. It is important to grow visitor numbers because they create jobs, sustain businesses and help support a wide and diverse range of industries.
   I'm keen also to see a business park at Lagoon Park to foster economic growth. The business park would create investment, industry and employment opportunities for our youth.
   
4. SHARED SERVICES:
   Initiatives undertaken by the Councils to work collaboratively and effectively with each other does provide the opportunity to make significant savings and reduce the unnecessary duplication of costs.
   The Heretaunga Plains Urban Development Strategy is an excellent example of a collaborative document put together by the region’s councils. The 2015-2045 guiding document focuses on managing urban growth and preserving the region’s valuable water supplies and high value soils.
   
5. AMALGAMATION:
   Not really an issue because the Hon. Rodney Hide has sent out a very clear message that the Auckland Super City amalgamation is definitely a case of watch-and-wait for other councils. So, for now, we need to sit back and watch with interest the completion of the Auckland reforms.
   

Personal Profile

 I arrived in Napier in 1975 after having worked for three years doing finance and administration work for the New Zealand High Commission in Western Samoa.

 My four children, Matthew, Brad, Cameron and Hannah, whom I raised on my own, were all educated in the Bay, then went onto Otago University/Canterbury University and gained their various degrees.  They are all doing extremely well in life.  During that time I worked at Napier Boys’ High School, Bay City Radio and for Dr Peter Jennings.  I have served on kindergarten and school committees and actively supported my family’s vast range of activities.

 For the past six years I have worked in the medical practice of Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Dr Jeremy Meates.  This is sole charge position and one that I enjoy immensely. It also dovetails well with my duties on Council.

 I’m a member of City Fitness and I enjoy walking, reading, outdoor activities and being involved in various community groups.  I am a supporter of Art Deco and the Hawke’s Bay Museum & Art Gallery.

 I have studied finance & accounting and business law at Massey University and been Chairperson of the Corporate Business Committee for six years.  I have an accredited credit pass from Auckland University as a Hearings RMA commissioner.