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I have unfinished business.

 Since being elected to the HDC in 2007, I made a commitment to look after families, both young and old.

My immediate family live in Havelock North and having a young family close by enables me to see Havelock through different eyes. I see a lack of age appropriate play areas, footpaths that are difficult to push a pushchair along, speeding traffic past schools and the need for safe crossings outside schools. Many of these concerns also affect the older members of our community and residents who are disabled, whether it is poor eyesight or lack of mobility.

Other issues, after careful thought, I decide on the merits of the argument.

Havelock North is my chosen place to live, after having lived in a number of other places. I have a passionate commitment to keeping Havelock North a safe and desirable place to live.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top 5 Issues

1. ECONOMY
   Hawkes Bay is going through difficult economic times and all councils need to be mindful of this when setting rates. HDC has one of the lowest rate rises this year in NZ.
2. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM
   For HB to continue to be one of the top tourist destinations for NZers, attracting more businesses and thus jobs is crucial. A united effort is needed by all interest groups involved, from councils to winemakers.
3. SAFE COMMUNITIES
   Many of our elderly citizens are feeling unsafe in their homes. Councils have an obligation to introduce and maintain safe features, such as appropriate lighting, smooth footpaths and well maintained foliage for all.
   
4. CYCLING SAFETY
   Hawkes Bay is to become the premier road cycling destination in NZ. The five HB councils will need to work together to allow this to happen. Co-ordinating the national cycle way, 50km of Rotary pathways, "bike-on" project, model communities and the huge number of mountain bikers is crucial.
5. AMALGAMATION
   HB councils are working towards shared services, such as recycling and co-ordinated planning regulations. However full amalgation of all five councils would give HB serious "clout" in NZ and must be seriously considered.

Personal Profile

I am an East Coaster, born and bred in Gisborne. However I am now a resident in the beautiful village of Havelock North. I am just finishing my first term as one of two Havelock North ward councillors on the Hastings District Council. I am also a part-time Science and Maths teacher at William Colenso College in Napier, a job I still enjoy after 23 years of teaching. I have three adult children, two now living in Melbourne- but they still support the All Blacks when the Bledisloe Cup battles occur!

I am an avid rugby supporter, travelling to watch top level games when I can, as well as school and provincial games. I am a member of the Rotary Club of Havelock North and recently had a Rotary exchange student to stay, Beto, from Chile.