Date and place of birth Born in Sydney in 1955

Ethnicity European Australian Pakeha

Current residence and electorate Hokianga, Northland

Educational and vocational qualifications I completed 2 years of Bachelor of Science in 1973-74 at University of New England and then studied extramurally before emigrating to New Zealand in 1981.

Current occupation Business owner and manager

Previous occupations 1975-1981 Technical officer for NSW Wildlife Service, Agriculture and State Fisheries. Laboratory and field research, collecting data on profiles of water supply dams in NSW, water quality and mapping of seagrass distribution of coastal estuaries. 1981-1990 Member of Northland Forest Park Committee and Northland Conservation Board, Playcentre superviser, tutor at Northland Community College and librarian. Assisted by Ministry of Commerce, I investigated the feasibility of establishing a tourism operation in North Hokianga. My partner Phil and I began the eco accommodation business "The Tree House" which won the Northland Chamber of Commerce Conservation in Commerce Award 1994.

Other work experience (inc. voluntary/unpaid) 1981-2011 I helped to establish a permaculture tree and garden landscape, macadamia orchard and native forest regeneration on our family land.

Community connections 1980-1990 Playcentre supervisor and President, Chairman and member of School Board of Trustees in the first years of "Tomorrow's Schools". Advisor Family Budgeting Service. 1988 to 2011 Active member of Hokianga Tourism Association, including chairman for the last 4 years. I worked with Enterprise Northland on the Twin Coast Discovery Project and Northland Kauri Festival. 2006-2011 I coordinated the Kohukohu Community Plan with the assistance of Far North District Council and continue to support community initiatives.

Policy Interests/Expertise

I have direct experience and a lifetime interest in science and the environment. I follow international, national and local affairs and a wide range of social issues.

On a national and local level, climate change, peak oil, water quality, landscape protection, coastal and marine protection and affordable housing are important issues that need to be addressed in order to sustain communities now and in the future.

It is essential to support the heritage, culture, diversity and vibrancy of communities and the creation of more environmentally aware, sustainable businesses. The challenge is balancing economic activity with ensuring high standards of land, waste and runoff management and less dependence on fossil fuels. The industry I have worked in for 22 years, the tourism industry, needs to work towards a more diverse transport system and an environment enhanced by tourism activity. Northland's potential for production of safe and healthy food requires that we maintain NZ's GE free environment outside the laboratory.

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