Date and place of birth 3 June 1959, Dunedin

Ethnicity Ngati Tiriti

Current residence and electorate Porirua, Mana Electorate

Educational and vocational qualifications M.A. (Dist.), Philosophy

Current occupation Trade Union Organiser, Tertiary Education Union

Previous occupations Actor/singer, Freelance writer, Bartender, Postie

Other work experience (including voluntary/unpaid) Drama critic, art critic early 80s and 1990; Wellington Hotel, Hospital and Restaurant Workers Union 1985-1990, Vice President, Certificate of Service; Wellington SPCA 1994 -1997 Board Member; Inmate Employment Advisory Committee, Department of Corrections, Board Member, 2001-2004; Founding Chairperson, Postal Workers Union, 1994-98, Life Member; National Secretary, Trade Union Federation, 1997-2000; Organiser, Council of Trade Union 2000-2001; Organiser, Association of Staff in Tertiary Education 2001; Member Philippines Solidarity Network of Aotearoa (PSNA), Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa (CAFCA) since 1998; Founding member of the New Labour Party, Alliance Party; Alliance candidate Mana 2002; Green Party Candidate Mana 2008

Community connections As above

Broad policy interests Education, particularly tertiary and university education, research, science and technology. Macroeconomics, economic development, finance & revenue, trade, sustainable economics Industrial relations, work and employment, superannuation, social development and welfare Justice Arts & Culture. Some experience in all these areas

Additional information Training as analytic philosopher provides strong general analytic skills, and likewise in the theory and sociology of knowledge through both philosophy study and work with university staff provides good sense of the relation between knowledge and politics

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