Date and place of birth 15.11.1961, Auckland

Ethnicity Ngati Pakeha

Current residence Waipipi, Auckland

Electorate Hunua electorate

Educational and vocational qualifications BSc App (Environmental Sciences) (2005), Graduate Diploma Teaching-Secondary (2006), Permaculture Design Certificate (1999), NZCS (Biology) (1981)

Current occupation Learning Leader, Social Sciences Faculty, Alfriston College (since 2009)
Small Scale Renewable Energy Consultant (since 2008- part-time)

Previous occupations CEO Sustainable Electricity Association New Zealand (SEANZ) (2007-2009)
Student (2004-2006)
Health & Fitness Centre Owner/Manager/Personal Trainer-Pukekohe (1998-2003)
Sales and Marketing Manager in the Diagnostic Industry for various Pharmaceutical companies, Behring, Sanofi, Kallestad, Roche (1984-1994)
Laboratory Technician (1979-1984)

Other work experience (inc. voluntary/unpaid) Founder of Waiuku In Support of wind Energy (WISE) (2004-2006) .

Community connections Individual verbal submission to Awhitu Wind Farm resource hearing, Waiuku (2004), Author of Public Opinion of a Proposed Wind Farm Situated Close to a Populated Area in New Zealand (Franklin District): Results from a Cross-sectional Study, presented as evidence to the Environment Court on behalf of WISE Auckland (2005), Founder and Chairperson of Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff-New Zealand (REFIT-NZ) (April 2009- July 2010

Policy Interests/Expertise Energy, especially small scale renewable distributed generation; Climate Change: implementation of a carbon tax, Education especially secondary.

My broad political issues The main policy areas I would like to contribute to include increasing the amount of renewable energy production through a distributed grid, continuing my focus on creating warm healthy housing for all Kiwis - including getting more quality state houses built. As a rural person I will strive to promote rural resilience and sustainable agriculture through an open and constructive attitude towards the farming community.

Additional information New Zealand has an opportunity to become a world leader in a range of areas that the rest of the world will rapidly need to adopt as the human species grapples with an increasing population, finite resources and a fast changing climate. Energy in the form of small scale renewable distributed generation (SSRDG) underpins the smart grid; a smart grid is part of the solution to climate change. Being small could easily work in our favour through NZ being the first country to implement a nationwide SSRDG smart grid, thereby benefiting economically from the innovation and intellectual property this would bring as well as social and environmental benefits.