Date and place of birth: 7/10/1958 Dunedin

Ethnicity: Pakeha New Zealander

Current residence and electorate: Invercargill Educational and vocational qualifications: Dip T, BTchLn Current occupation:Primary teacher for 30 years Previous Occupations: Worked as a self-employed artist for several months in the UK between teaching jobs.

Other work experience: Ministry of Education curriculum writing and review groups.

Community Connections: NZEI Te Riu Roa (local and national representative / organiser for 16 years); Anderson Park Art Gallery (25 years on governing council, three years as president); Southern Farmers Market management; Invercargill Transition Towns; Wwoofer host; Invercargill Anti Mining March and climate change symposium organiser; New Zealand Alpine Club/Mountain Safety Council; Southland Ecology Action Group 1974-1985

Public Policy Interests: Education, Employment Rights (experience in industrial advocacy and disputes resolution), Arts.

Broad Political Issues: Climate Change (current ETS is weak and does not effectively deal with our largest emitters of greenhouse gases); Education (vital for ensuring a capable workforce and well informed society, current cuts to Early Childhood and pushing though ideological based initiatives that are not evidence based, is a real concern; Food (the dominance of monoculture farming and supermarkets is reducing the diversity of farming, both in produce and sustainable models of practice. The constricted availability of healthy food to those on low incomes and school children is a major concern.)

Additional information: I come from a family with a tradition of community involvement, environmental advocacy and political activism. My children have both been recognised by their respective schools for environmental leadership and my wife is a respected and long serving GP in a low socio-economic community. I have a very supportive whanau who share similar values and provide useful advice and practical support.

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