I grew up on Waiheke and was schooled here. I represented the Island in numerous sports, playing soccer at an international level. Waihekeans have a proud history of strong representation led by people who are passionate about our Island. I have the ability and support to take up this baton. I am willing to work hard on the Waiheke Local Board to achieve robust decisions that strengthen our community.

I have a Masters degree in Planning and 10 years experience in local government, both overseas and on Waiheke. This background equips me to recognise where input from local communities can add value and improve services and delivery. I am passionate about local people having the opportunity to influence decisions that affect them.

In these important years ahead my skills and experience in negotiation combined with my local knowledge and love for the Island will be valuable assets for the board.

Top 5 Issues

1. New Governance Structure:
   
   The biggest issue Waiheke is facing is that we are entering a new governance structure for Auckland with untested decision making processes. Roles and responsibilities of the various tiers are still up for grabs and the final distribution of ‘power’ will depend upon how each level asserts itself.
   The first Waiheke Local Board will need to demonstrate that it is capable and willing to take full responsibility for local governance on Waiheke to have maximum influence in the new Auckland Council. This first elected Local Board will set the tone for future relations with Auckland Council and CCO’s. If we let ourselves be walked over in the first term it will be a lot harder for subsequent boards to assert itself.
   
   Individual board members will need to be assertive.
2. Community representation:
   
   Genuine community consultation will be critical to preparing a Waiheke Local Plan that establishes how and where to and prioritise Council expenditure. Besides a transparent Annual Plan process other methods for delivering and implementing community’s priorities should be identified.
   
   For example public/private partnerships, design panels and masterplans for key development sites. The Waiheke community needs to start setting the agenda for what it wants to see (and not see) on Waiheke.
   
   I have 10 years experience as a planner in local government. I will ensure a particular emphasis on delivery and implementation of the plan. There have been enough documents written for Waiheke that have sat around gathering dust.
   
   
3. Maximising value from Council spending on Waiheke. - Promoting transparency and accountability.
   
   Decisions of Council spending and how Council owned assets are managed on Waiheke are local issues and local people need to be consulted. This should come down to the level of detail that goes into preparing and selecting tenders for contracts.
   
   We should also insist on joined up creative thinking between Council departments. We have had enough of living with the results of poor decision making based on one hand of Council not knowing what the other hand is doing.
4. Embracing spatial planning.
   
   It is important that we insist on a spatial plan for Waiheke / Hauraki Gulf Islands. Arguments that we have progressed so far already with our Proposed District Plan Review should not wash. The emphasis of spatial planning on implementation and delivery and incorporating best planning practice from around the world could mean that if we don’t insist on having a spatial plan for Waiheke then we will get left with a lumbering dinosaur that is our Proposed District Plan. That is not good enough.
   
   The quality of the Local Plan prepared by the Local Board will be influential in setting the agenda.
5. Collaboration and effective working.
   
   In this new structure it is more important than ever that the Waiheke Local Board do their homework and set and demand high standards of working.
   
   It is not good enough for Waiheke people to be forced to live with poor decisions because the options and the arguements were not thought through well enough, researched well enough or the community not consulted well enough.
   
   Individuals on the board will need to be able to demonstrate an ability to work with others to develop the best solutions.

Personal Profile

 I was 6 months old when I came to Waiheke. I went through school here - I strongly believe it takes a community to raise a child and I value my upbringing on Waiheke which is why I came back to Waiheke from the UK to raise my children here. My daughter was born on Waiheke.

 I am a qualified planner with ten years experience in local government both in NZ and the UK. I have previously worked for Auckland City Council as a planner on Waiheke and know the District Plans and council processes well.

 In the UK I worked for in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) on the Isle of Wight (I like Islands!). I served on the AONB Planning Working Group committee for three years. I also worked in Planning Policy for Winchester City Council and the Environment Agency. I did a lot of work in urban capacity studies, village and landscape character assessments, sustainable design and construction.

 My interest in planning started here on Waiheke – I have come back with knowledge and experience to offer – to give back to the community which raised me.

 I have played sport at an international level. This experience has taught me discipline of setting and achieving goals. I have also obtained strong team working and leadership skills. I still play soccer and indoor netball on the Island.

 I have managed a successful balance of family and work life for the last seven years and feel confident I can dedicate the time to be an effective member of the Waiheke Local Board.

I have energy and enthusiasm. I don’t have any particular agenda – other than good governance for Waiheke – let me work for you.