Since shifting to Orewa over 9 years ago I have completed my Bachelor of Education - teaching degree, taught for a short time and then worked as the ACE - Adult & Community Education - Co-ordinator for Orewa College for 6 years.

In the early 1990s I was elected as Councillor to the North Shore City Council and was chair of Works and Environment for 3 years.  For 6 years I was a member of the Glenfield Community Board and chaired the Town Planning Committee.

I am presently a trustee of the Estuary Arts Charitable Trust and the Resource person for ACEnet, an online professional development community for adult educators.

I am widowed, with 5 sons - 2 still at home - and 3 grandchildren.

I have always been an active member of my community and I believe I would be an excellent choice for your vote.  I believe that the people of the new Hibiscus Coast area deserve to be represented by someone who cares - me!

Top 5 Issues

1. Public Transport. I do not drive and so am well versed with the vagaries of our existing transport system, as it is. There are many things that must change and our local board must work diligently to influence positive change for those who wish or need to travel in this way. Light rail is one form of transport that must be fully researched, and the existing bus routes should be rationalised to allow for such innovative opportunities as visiting western parts of Auckland without having to go to the city first!
2. Support for the Arts. As a trustee on a local Arts Centre board, I believe that the importance of the arts to the mental health and the wellbeing of people and communities cannot be overstated. Funding and real, educated support and advice must be made available to ensure a vibrant arts sector which would also positively impact on tourism and employment opportunities locally.
3. Town Planning. Further planning for the Hibiscus Coast area must be made with the wishes of the people in mind. During reviews of the District Plan - or its equivalent - I propose the introduction of a comprehensive education and consultation process whereby local residents are enabled to predict the effect of any decisions on their lives, then to be involved in a process of planning to maximise the benefits across their community.
4. Emergency services. The recent earthquake in Canterbury has served as a timely reminder that local emergency services must be maintained and supported, both by local and central government. The Hibiscus Coast Civil Defence headquarters' HQ site must be urgently reviewed. The need for other local community emergency services, especially in health, must be given priority.
5. Orewa's Western Reserve. This is a long-neglected area which has the potential to become a hub of community activity and services. Co-ordination of existing services and planning for future events and activities would ensure that this area serves its community well and could become an important tourist attraction in its own right - although the first priority should always be with the local people.

Personal Profile

My background is varied and covers a wide range of areas.  The central theme to everything I have always been involved in has been, and will always be, people.  I am the person at a meeting or in a workshop, etc who will stand up and ask "What about the individuals?"  

I bring an ability to see the bigger picture - the strategic overview - and to work towards achieving the best possible outcomes for the people in my communities.  I always refer to communities, rather than community, as I believe that our area, no matter how geographically contained, works on the basis of a number of small communities of interest.  These can include: neighbourhood support groupings; sports clubs; visual and performing arts sector; schools; preschools; families; churches and other religious organisations; etc.  Each of these communities adds value to the wider group - usually referred to as "the community".  And each is very important to the wellbeing of the people who live, work and play here.

In the late 1980s I undertook a project named 'The Stepping Out Programme' which was a collaboration between government departments and the community, looking at long-term benefit dependency and making recommendations to enable people to take some control of their lives.  I remain very proud of the changes we achieved at that time - these included the widespread introduction of Training Incentive Allowances, reviews of childcare provision and a general raising of awareness of the barriers that existed at that time to mothers being able to move from benefit dependency to self sufficiency.

As a Glenfield Community Board member I introduced the 'Walk the Ward' programme - an information sheet circulated to residents who then sent regular reports to the Board on things that needed attention to make the community a better place to be.  This included small footpath repairs, graffiti removal, damage in parks, street light outages, etc.  Of course, urgent or major repairs were reported using the council helpline, but these issues were the little things that annoy and that were able to be attended to quickly to make the community a better place to live in every day.

I am a mother, a grandmother, a sister, a cousin.  I have many friends, especially in the Hibiscus Coast area and I believe one of our major strengths here is the people.

I was born in Lyttelton, Christchurch.  I have lived in Palmerston North for several years, then in Glenfield and shifted to Orewa in 2001.  Sadly I was suddenly widowed 2 years ago and am now raising my two teenaged sons here.

I am an avid knitter and craftsperson, I teach knitting at the Estuary Arts Centre and am planning 'Knitcetera' - an exhibition there of fibre arts in June 2011.

I believe in the principles of responsible citizenship and integrity while enjoying life and working for the things you feel are important.  I am not afraid of hard work and look forward to the opportunity to work as a member of the Hibiscus Coast subdivision of the Hibiscus and Bays local board.