Health equals wealth

As a Gisborne girl with a father who was a local GP, I’ve always had an interest in health. I had my son at Gisborne Maternity Hospital, and later had (successful) treatment for breast cancer at Gisborne’s Hospital. My cancer experience made me very interested in wellness and passionate about promoting the lifestyle changes that contribute to good health.

Currently working as city manager for Heart of Gisborne, I believe I can further contribute to Tairawhiti by being on the District Health Board. The reason I took on the Heart of Gisborne job was that I want to help raise the overall standard of living here.

I want us to be top in national statistics for our high prosperity rather than our deprivation. Having good health is having true wealth. If we want our whole community to be more prosperous, then we must start by improving our health.

Top 5 Issues

1. Oranga - health for all... but we have to start by taking responsibility for our own wellness
2. Communication of good lifestyle choices
3. Strong partnerships help to create equitable access to health services

Personal Profile

I have previously worked as a radio journalist, dental assistant, communications consultant, advertising agency general manager and marketing strategic planner. I believe my experience in the field of communications can help Tairawhiti District Health Board to promote healthier lifestyles and elevate the well-being of everybody in Tairawhiti, not just Maori and Pakeha, but all of the nationalities who call this place home.

I enjoy the governance role. I was a Wainui Beach School trustee and now sit on the Mangapapa School Board of Trustees, the Towns & Cities New Zealand executive board. I also report to a board at Heart of Gisborne.

Many of the health challenges facing our region are ones that can be partially tackled by individuals making responsible lifestyle choices. For instance, we have a high rate of heart disease, strokes and diabetes, and so of course we have corresponding high rates of smoking and obesity.

It seems that with health funding, there is never quite enough money to do everything Tairawhiti District Health Board would like to be able to do. But if we can improve the way we communicate the benefits of good choices to our people, and encourage everyone to make small individual changes like giving up smoking or exercising more often, then our limited health dollar can be spent even more efficiently.”

My personal interests include art and poetry. In 2008 I completed a Master of Arts in Creative Writing and I'm hoping to have the subsequent poetry collection “The Weight Of Rain” published in the near future. It is mostly about my reaction to my breast cancer experience.

Conflicts of Interest

None

Authorised by Kathy McVey of 140 Ballance Street