My family and I live in Crown Hill and love the North Shore and Auckland City.  The Super City of Auckland is a major step in Local Government within New Zealand.  With the new system, there will be a need for strong leadership and good management at the local level.  I offer leadership and management.

My working life in the trades gained me craftsman plumber, craftsman gasfitter and registered drain-layer qualifications and taught me to try to find practical solutions to practical problems.  In addition to the trades, I had a long career in the Territorial and Regular Army, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel commanding a Territorial Force Unit.  This involved financial management, planning, communication and leadership.   I have passed SAS selection (records available).

I also served for 20 years on front line duties in the New Zealand Police, attaining the rank of Detective Sergeant and later the appointment of Acting Inspector.   As a result of these careers, I am experienced at planning, investigation, consultation, risk management and delegation.

I have a Business Degree majoring in the management of operations, services, finances, change management and managing organisations.  After leaving the Police, I worked at Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force as the Deputy Director of the Mutual Assistance Programme.  This involved organising the annual training programme for an average of 400 personnel, 240 separate training activities and was responsible for a total budget of $5m.  I know how to make decisions and make sure I have the facts before doing so and I make a point of being responsive to people I have contact with.

My United Nations Peace Keeping service in Africa, the Middle East, Pacific, plus service in Asia, has given me good insight into Auckland's diverse populations with whom I know and understand.

On a personal level I am an area co-ordinator for my Church, a member of the RSA, support charities and I have served on and been chairman of a number of committees and served on our school board of trustees.

Top 5 Issues

1. Promote Strong Leadership
   
   Auckland needs strong leadership both at the local and city levels. I’m prepared to put my hand up for the local Board and to be accountable for what I do.
2. Remember who we work for
   
   Local Boards must try and meet the needs of the community they represent. They must be transparent and accountable to the people of our community who must be listened to and their needs responded to.
3. Environment and support for local business
   
   Like many people I love what Devonport and Takapuna have to offer in terms of environment, coastline and beaches. These have to be accessible to the public as well as protected from damage and pollution. Local business is important and Local Boards must give as much support as possible to them.
   
4. Delivery of local body services
   
   I will make every effort to ensure that the standard of services delivered to the public is maintained at their current levels, in particular rubbish removal and maintenance of public areas.
5. Safety
   
   Devonport and Takapuna are relatively safe areas and we would all like to see them remain this way. I shall do what I am able to see that the resources are available to safeguard our public areas and schools.
   

Personal Profile

As a member standing for the Devonport –Takapuna Local board I feel that it is only fair that I present information to interested parties that will help them to decide whether or not I am a worthwhile person to vote for.  I offer the following facts.  The new Auckland Super City will be very challenging and it’s success will depend heavily on the performance of the local boards.  Consultation with their local communities so that the local people are involved in local decisions is also critical for success.  There will be a need for strong leadership and board members who fully support community involvement.  In order to ensure that our area is well provided for we must make sure that we have our priorities right and that we are getting the best value for now and the future.  A big factor will be creating the right relationships that will provide added influence to us.  Finally I see my job as making sure that the local communities get the opportunity to influence what happens in their neighbourhood.  I believe that I possess attributes that suit me for the local board.

I believe in being responsible to those that I represent and being accountable for what I do.

I have a Business degree majoring in Management and am completing a Master of Education degree.  Having commanded units in the Army and Police as well as directing a multi-national training programme I have knowledge and experience of investigation, research, management, risk-management, forming teams and teamwork, operations planning, budgeting, financial management, leadership, communication, organisation, consultation and scheduling.    I am a ‘people person’ and hold the traits loyalty, honesty and integrity very dearly.

I have a strong work ethic and am a man of my word with good time management skills and much experience at prioritising and future planning and future proofing.

I have a great deal of experience of committees, meetings and conference.  I have successfully implemented change management which included seeking community views and suggested courses of action.    I feel that I have all of the attributes needed to effectively represent the community on the Local Board.  What do you think?