I am standing a second time as the Green Party Candidate for the Kaikōura Electorate because I feel even more strongly in the Green Party vision of achieving a socially just and fair society, and nurturing and protecting our planet and its resources.

I was born in Leicester, England and grew up in Africa (Kenya and Lesotho). I trained as a Doctor and GP in England and emigrated with my family to New Zealand in 1986, where I have been a Rural GP for 35 years based in Waikari, North Canterbury (in the far south of the Kaikoura Electorate). Meeting and hearing the stories of thousands of people over many years, and helping them with health issues and problems makes General Practice an excellent training for an aspiring politician!

I am married to Deborah Howell and have 3 children. Apart from politics and medicine, my interests are history, theatre (both directing and acting), singing, tramping, cycling and vegetable gardening.

I have always been interested in politics and was a member of Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) in the UK. I have been a member of the Green Party for 10 years, and, as well as being a Candidate in 2017, I am also Co-convenor of the Top of the South Province.

A very powerful incentive for me to stand again is that I now have two grandchildren aged 18 months and 1 year. It is the future of their generation and succeeding generations that has so much at risk, and it is our responsibility to take bold action now to protect them and our precious planet. We are at an absolutely critical point regarding Climate Change and it is vital that the Greens are returned to Government in a progressive coalition to consolidate and build on the gains of the last three years.

Thank you and Party Vote Green.

Contact: [email protected]