I live in Linwood, Christchurch with my wife Philippa. We have two young adult daughters, Hannah and Rachel.

I was elected in 2008 to represent Christchurch Central which includes the CBD, Avonside, Richmond, Linwood, Phillipstown, Mairehau, Shirley, St Albans and Papanui. Much of my focus in the last year has been helping my electorate through the devastation of the earthquakes.

I count myself fortunate to have had the benefit of a good state secondary education. The ‘fair go’ and opportunities I got as a working-class boy in a family of six kids sealed my politics. After training as a broadcasting journalist I was covering Parliament in my early twenties. In the mid-90s, our family moved to Marlborough where I was Editor of the province’s daily newspaper for seven years. Concerned about Marlborough’s low wages despite the grape boom, I played a key role in establishing the region’s economic development trust. I also spent eight on the region’s polytechnic council, with a particular focus on encouraging trade training to help boost skills and wage levels. In 1999, I won the country’s top journalism award - a term at Cambridge University. I then twice stood in the National stronghold of Kaikoura for Labour. Between the 2002-05 elections I worked for Helen Clark in the Prime Minister’s Office. Prior to being selected as Labour candidate for Christchurch Central in late 2007, I ran my own communications business supporting sustainable business development projects, including broadband, insulation and Corriedale sheep.

My Labour portfolio responsibilities reflect my belief that the environment cannot be separate from the economy; my responsibilities include Climate Change, Water and Associate Environment.

After working full-time for a year to secure the seat, I was elected with a 935 vote majority in November 2008. I spend any spare time with Philippa, reading and cycling.

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