I am 25 and have lived in Te Aroha for 52% of my life. I was the last of our generation to go through School Certificate so for those of you old enough to remember, that is a pass! I am married to my beautiful wife Laura and we have three princesses, Mekayla, Jenee and Ella.

I co-present a children's show, which is aired on tvCentral and TV Rotorua. It is very community based and I visit many local schools, businesses and homes. I am currently involved in an anti-graffiti campaign that was a council initiative and also work part time at Environment Waikato teaching kids about road safety.

I am passionate about seeing Te Aroha prosper and grow. This year I organised a conference that saw some 300 people from all over the country come to our little town.

Top 5 Issues

1. Getting an events centre. We need a 2010 facility that caters to our communities growing needs.
2. Continuing to develop Te Aroha as a tourist destination. Bringing more money into the town and providing more employment for locals.
3. Promoting Te Aroha as a great place for young families to bring up their children.
4. Breaking the small town, small mentality mind set.
5. Being a voice for the youth and the elderly alike in Te Aroha.

Personal Profile

My parents were dairy farmers and moved regularly until they changed to sheep farming and settled in Oparau in 1996.

I went to Manawaru Primary for three years and Te Aroha Primary for three years.

I attended Hamilton Boys' High and boarded at Argyle house during my 4 years at secondary school. My highest qualification was Sixth Form Certificate. I got 17 in the best four subjects: which were Media Studies, Film, English, and Maths.

I then pursued my career in the media, training at the NZ School of Radio in 2003. I worked at Nga Iwi Fm in Paeroa from 2003-2006. During this time I appeared in a Shortland St episode for all of 10 Seconds as a feature extra.I was also involved with a summer campaign ‘Don’t Get Smashed This Summer’. It was an Environment Bay of Plenty initiative targeting young male drivers and trying to curb drink driving.

From July 2006 till September 2009 I worked at the Morrinsville Training Centre, first as a Youth Tutor then as a computer tutor. I also worked as a weekend announcer on More FM part time.

From 2008 I have been co-presenting a children’s TV show ‘MishMash’ which is aired on tvCentral and TV Rotorua. We are based in Matamata but visit most towns and cities in our broadcast area regularly. 

I also work part time for Environment Waikato; going into schools around the Waikato and teaching kids about Road Safety.

I have recently been involved with a council initiative ‘My Tag My Town’, an anti-graffiti campaign. It was encouraging to see the positive impact it had on our young people and to show them their value as part of the community.

Last year I organised a conference through the Te Aroha Baptist Church which saw 300 people from all over the country come to our pretty town. My wife and I are currently planning next years conference, to be held in April with much interest already.

My wife and I love this community and couldn't imagine a better place to raise our children.