My Story
Born in Germany, raised in Whangamata, and now at home on a lifestyle block just north of Hamilton.
After each successful election to be councillor in 2019 and 2022 I have lived it like a full-time role; learning how local government works, building relationships and helping to deliver meaningful change for the people of the Waikato.
My previous careers in science and environmental management have been complemented RMA commissioner training and a strong network of fellow elected members and actively engaged citizens who I love to 'create' with.
As our Council's youngest elected member I've led the Climate Action Committee for two terms and advocate strongly for our local councils to work together with us on any reductions in emissions pollution and community-led adaptation planning.
Experience has taught me that democracy brings together a broad spectrum of elected members each time and the challenge is to keep reaching out to each other to understand various points of view and try to find common ground to make decisions hopefully by a satisfying a significant majority of whoever is there on the day of the vote. The local debate seems much more constructive than how the oppositional model is used in central government, in my view.
Going forward, I'm very ready for a third term with my priorities clear. Please reach out if you have ideas or suggestions to share of your own! There are significant reforms coming up, and the world is changing ever-faster so there is plenty of scope to keep shaping up what's on the agenda. I'll try my best to help you navigate the world of local government or where else to go to get some progress on your aspirations.
Some key initiatives I've supported 2019-2022:
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Integrated climate change considerations into council's decisions and overseeing actions of the first WRC Climate Action Roadmap (including divestment from fossil fuels, inhouse emission reductions, peat soil research, adaptation work). Engaging with LGNZ young elected members and hosting online meetings for regional councillors championing climate-related initiatives.
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Moving to a ridership model in the Regional Public Transport Plan and endorsing upgrades to the start-up phase of the Te Huia train service.
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Putting a focussed lens over local council's wastewater and stormwater compliance, and increasing resourcing for enforcement.
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Implementing a more transparent rates bill (visual breakdown of where council rates are invested) and supporting a one-off 0% rate rise during the year of the covid pandemic (2020-2021).
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Increased funding to the regional economic development agency from the investment fund, and supporting regionally-signficant infrastructure such as the Sugarloaf Wharf upgrade.
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Moving bus drivers to a minimum floor of the living wage through public transport contracts.
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Initiating Te Tiriti o Waitangi training for all Councillors and strengthening the partnership between WRC and the Waikato Tainui Raupatu River Trust; as well as endorsing a transfer of functions (RMA S33) for Tuwharetoa Iwi to undertake some environmental monitoring.
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Jobs for Nature and local Shovel-Ready projects; and allocating funding through the Natural Heritage and Environmental Initiatives Fund.
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Mentoring rangatahi via the TUIA programme and supporting WRC's Rangatahi Voices initiative.
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Many submissions to central government.
Some key initiatives I've supported in 2022-2025:
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Increased funding for community groups doing environmental enhancements.
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Improvements to Waikato's State of the Environment reporting, to include more topics (e.g. soil biology, pollutants like microplastics) and remedy actions.
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Development of a Biodiversity Strategy and action plan for Whangamarino Wetland.
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Development of a Regional Spatial Plan for more proactive infrastructure planning within all districts.
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A regional Energy Inventory, and Strategy.
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Move from a regional economic development agency model to collaborating with local councils.
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Support (and constructive feedback to) LGNZ and the Regional Council Sector group for more collaboration.
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Increased capacity for engagement with Iwi partners and review of the Waikato Tainui Raupatu River Trust Joint Management Agreement with WRC.
- Improvements to customer service and technology upgrades to change with the times.
- Development of a Climate Change Hazard and Risk Assessment for the region to guide community adaptation preparations
- Development of WRC's Organisational Climate Risk Assessment to guide infrastructure decisions.
- Co-chairing the Wharekawa Coast 2120 Project governance group; community adaptation plan adoption and a new rate to reduce future risk from extreme weather events on the coast.
- Regional rating for public transport to reduce administrative burden and better services; increase in frequent bus services in Hamilton (e.g. Meteor) and additional services (e.g. weekends) for Te Huia; with positive patronage growth as a result.
- Strong input on organisational topics like CE KPI's, annual leave management, H&S, etc.
- Many submissions to central government.