Catherine is one of the newest Green MPs but has been high on the Greens' list for several years, just missing getting into Parliament on several occasions.

Catherine describes herself as an "activist, feminist, mother, gardener, writer, teacher, mediator, advocate - and stand-up comic." A political activist since her teens, she has worked for change in the areas of social justice, Te Tiriti and environmental issues. She has a history of challenging corporate polluters, and a deep interest in developing decision-making processes which involve everyone.

Catherine was born and raised in Wellington in a family involved with many social justice issues and with the arts. Catherine began her activist career aged 14 when she and her friends at Onslow College organised the first high school students union. She began leading marches, making television appearances and public speaking from that age. She left university halfway through her B.A. and moved to the Coromandel where she learned to milk goats and grow vegetables as well as throw fleeces in the only Buddhist shearing gang in Aotearoa.

She resumed political activity when multinational mining companies applied to prospect the Coromandel Peninsula in 1989, co-ordinating the highly effective environmental group, Coromandel Watchdog. Her role over 15 years included media, direct action leadership, public speaking and organising. Her environmental work led to roles in the Department of Conservation and for Greenpeace as a community liaison person and toxics campaigner.

Green Party Spokesperson for: Environment (Mining, Toxics), Education, Forestry, Work and Income, Community & Voluntary Sector, Women's Affairs, Disability Issues, Treaty of Waitangi, Arts & Culture.

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