I was elected to parliament in 2005, where I sat on select committees dealing with health, industrial relations and transport. I was the Junior Government Whip during 2007/2008. I am the Labour spokesperson for Education & Deputy Chairperson of the Education & Science Select Committee.

Prior to my parliamentary career, I was involved in campaigns to improve the lives of ordinary New Zealanders. They included campaigning to keep the Waikato Plunket family centre open, against health cuts in the 1990s and working to protect and improve low-paid workers’ wages.

I have been a self-employed trainer of health and safety representatives, a union organiser and educator for the NZ Nurses’ Organisation, regional educator for the Trade Union Education Authority and National Secretary for the NZ Equine Workers’ Union.

I have also been a journalist and editor for community newspapers as well as working as a journalist for the Northern Hotel, Hospital and Restaurant Workers’ Union. I was the CNA Young Journalist of the Year in 1983.

I was the chair of the Waikato Coalition for Public Health.

I am married to Shane and have two children.

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