Date and place of birth: 20th May 1957, Vancouver.
Ethnicity: Pakeha New Zealander (5th generation).
Educational and vocational qualifications: BSc (Maths with Physics), Dip Secondary Teaching, Dip Rural Studies (Horticulture and Business), Masters in Public Policy (MPP). Studying towards PhD.
Current occupation: Transition (Information Systems) Manager at Community Alcohol & Drug Service (CADS) for WDHB, since 2006.
Previous occupations: Software Developer, Designer, & Team Leader (1982-2005) for many organisations including Datacom Systems, Fletcher Challenge, Methanex, CourierPost, Rodney District Council, Esphion, ADHB (clinical research). Statistics Tutor (2002). Secondary Maths & Physics Teacher (1980-81). Children's Home Assistant (1977-78).
Other work experience (including voluntary/unpaid): Mother of two (1985-2010), Waterpolo Coach (1980-81), Musician (1991), Kayak Hire Manager (1996-2001), Mt Eden Plunket Membership Secretary (1986-90), Maungawhau Primary School PTA Treasurer (1991-93), ECB Toastmasters Treasurer (2002-03).
Community connections: Member of Greenpeace, Sustainable Business Network, Devonport Folk Club.
Policy Interests/Expertise: My skills, experience and family background incline me towards the three E's - energy, education, and economics. As an MP I'd promote energy efficiency, distributed renewable electricity generation, and the decoupling of energy use from the profit motive. I'd campaign for schools and universities to prioritise teaching about clean, sustainable, fair use of the earth's resources. I'd seek policies enabling us to cooperatively overcome our societal addictions to fossil fuels, materialism, and wastefulness.
Additional information: I practice recycling, composting and waste minimisation. I sing, cycle, kayak, ski, and play tennis. I was a NZ Waterpolo rep at 19. I'm loyal, persistent, patient, helpful, curious, optimistic, adventurous, logical, philosophical, hard working, and an independent lateral thinker who enjoys positively challenging the status quo.
