I am 63 years old, married, and for the past 24 years have had a dry stock farm at Waikino. I have also been selling real estate in the Waihi area for 18 years.

I am involved in the community as the chairperson for the Victoria Hall Association which has organised ART Waikino, an annual fund raiser for the hall. I am on the Waikino Liaison Committee and a trustee for Hauraki Rail Trail.

My interests are: tramping, mountain biking and conservation. We have 20ha of native bush in the QEII Trust.

My involvement in real estate means I am aware of the planning, zoning, building and economics of the district.

If elected I would be pushing the area’s history, outdoor recreation and central hub to improve the economic base. The Discovery Centre and the Hauraki Rail Trail are a must for this to occur.

Top 5 Issues

1. Local democracy is about having the right mix of members to represent the community.
2. I would work for and be a voice for local communities such as Waikino, Waihi and Whiritoa.
3. To keep rates as low as possible and keep debt under control.
4. Public amenities must be practical and not a "wish list" of things that would be nice but not affordable.
5. Looking after our unique natural environment including waterways, beaches and native bush. The control of possums.

Personal Profile

I relocated from the Waikato, where my wife and I had a 93ha dairy farm, to Waikino 24 years ago and we now have a 90ha dry stock farm. I have two adult children and three grand children, all living in the United Kingdom.

Along with my farming I have been selling real estate in the Waihi area for 18 years gaining my Diploma in Real Estate. I have had experience in dealing with all the issues involved with building, planning, zoning, subdivision and developing the town centre from both points of view. I am conversant with all these sectors of Hauraki District Council and the departments that deal with them.

The infrastructure needs to be maintained and improved in the Waihi Ward and across the district and at a reasonable pace to minimise rate increases. We are only a small district council with a population of approximately 18,500 so the elected council have to balance expenditure carefully.

Our property in Waikino has a two kilometre boundary with Coromandel Forest Park and we respect and help maintain the diversity of plant and bird species within the park. I am interested in maintaining and expanding the area’s heritage and recreational features which I feel will increase tourist potential.

I will be supporting Hauraki District Council’s District Plan to protect these features in our district.

My interests are: tramping, mountain biking, history and travelling. I am a trustee of the Hauraki Rail Trail, chairman of the Victoria Hall Association, Waikino and involved in ART Waikino, the hall’s annual fund raising art exhibition, committee member on the Waikino Liaison Society and Hauraki District Council’s sister city programme with Jiading in China.

I would bring to council an experienced, practical, no nonsense approach with improved communication with rate payers.