Serving my community comes naturally to me

As a school principal and Justice of the Peace I’ve had more than two decades of hands-on hard work making a real difference in the lives of hundreds of Hawke’s Bay students and their families.

Over the years I’ve helped thousands of people from all walks of life in many different ways, and I’m known for being approachable and willing to listen then act.

It takes energy, enthusiasm and practical skills to make a real difference in our community. I’m a thinker as well as a doer so that’s why I’m standing for the Ahuriri Ward. My focus is on economic development, community wellbeing and creating a vibrant future for Napier.

I’m 44, married with two children, a director of several successful businesses and occasionally put my feet up to read a decent detective novel.

Ahuriri Ward (Eskdale, Bayview, Westshore, Ahuriri and Napier Hill) needs a new, strong, energetic representative – a fresh voice for the future!

You deserve a Council Representative who will really listen, think and act on your behalf, with the interest of your Ward – and wellbeing – at heart. I have experience, energy, enthusiasm and a real commitment to do this job well. 

Top 5 Issues

1. Economic Growth
   
   Economic prosperity creates a better quality of life. More jobs create greater security, less demand on social services and of course an increase in Council revenue. This in turn helps fund Council’s activities and keeps rates low. It is essential that Council proactively support local businesses and industry to grow and develop.
   There is no doubt that attracting new businesses and industry to Napier is an important function of Council. It is equally important to encourage and support existing Napier businesses to grow, thrive and stay in our city. We must work harder now to try and turn around future projections of population decrease and negative economic growth.
   
   By improving infrastructure and services, reducing bureaucracy, championing success, sharing resources, pooling expertise and providing leadership and direction, Council can help stimulate local business and increase prosperity.
   
2. Community Wellbeing
   
   Contributing towards the safety and wellbeing of our whole community is a responsibility central to Council activities. While this extends to all age groups, there need to be specific support focussed on youth, families and our senior citizens.
   
   We need to do more to develop and support initiatives to engage with young people in our community. Facilities, activities and services that they will use must be created or greater Council subsides/support given to other providers and organisations who can meet their needs. Keeping youth active and positively engaged can both help develop our young people and decrease anti-social behaviours in our community.
   
   We should aim to make Napier an even better place for families by developing ‘family friendly’ infrastructure. Extending our safe cycleway system, parks, playgrounds and other low cost family activities must be a priority.
   
   We have an aging population and must ensure our communities are equipped to provide for their needs. Housing, public transport, accessibility to health and other services will become increasingly important. Council must listen to this sector of our community and proactively plan to meet their needs. Two immediate areas that Council should continue to focus on are helping to reduce crime and addressing footpath and road hazards, both which restrict Seniors access to certain areas of our city. Addressing these will contribute to a greater sense of safety and wellbeing.
   
3. Sustainable Lease Solutions
   
   Council needs to be willing to consider a range of measures to help residential and commercial leaseholders to either freehold leases or look at mechanisms to revise or extend lease terms. All options must be on the table.
   
   This needs to be a fair process, one that does not disadvantage those who have paid a premium to purchase freehold property, while at the same time recognising the financial pressure and difficulty facing leasehold property owners.
   It is essential that any solutions be financially sustainable and not an excuse for Council to increase rates. One advantage of free-holding property is that the proceeds could benefit ratepayers directly, as the funds generated can be spent on any projects.
   
   Napier City Council needs to work effectively with the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council to develop a solution to this issue as it is not going to go away.
   
4. Ward Representation
   
   Greater emphasis must be placed on Napier’s Wards. Potentially this is a very effective means of engaging with local communities to address their specific needs, yet Council has failed to embrace the potential. There is currently no compulsion for Ward elected Councillors to hold community meetings or a mechanism to reports back to Council on Ward issues.
   
   Wards provide an effective mechanism for empowering communities in their relationship with Council, leading to great partnership, ownership and accountability.
   
   It is essential that Ward Councillors are committed to listening to, relating to and acting on behalf of the voters in their Ward who elected them.
   

Personal Profile

I love living in Napier and being part of the community.

I grew up in Hawke’s Bay and have been living in Napier for the last 14 years. During these years we’ve lived on Napier Hill, out on the beach by Bayview and now in a converted woolstore in Ahuriri. We love the lifestyle!

I am lucky to have such fulfilling roles in my life. I am dad to my 10-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son, husband of 20+ years to my wonderful wife Amanda, school principal, boss, company director and a Justice of the Peace.