I’ve been a sailor since my teens and cruised the Pacific and New Zeland coast extensively.

Before settling in Whanganui, I had a fantastic career in Auckland and Singapore as a commercial insurance Broker working with some of NZ’s biggest businesses and finally with General Motors Asia Pacific. Working with Chief Financial Officers and presenting to Boards of Directors and leading a team of risk specialists, means I have an excellent understanding of business and the economy.

I’m passionate about Whanganui’s heritage and history and with a degree in Fine Arts from UCOL, I bring an excellent understanding of our community to the role.

My husband is a retired Naval commander and is managing our family farm on the Parapara.

As an active Chamber of Commerce member for over 8 years I’ve been meeting with our businesses and learning their issues.

I’m Chair of the Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust  and  spearhead Whanganui Heritage Month and Heritage Awards. https://www.whanganuiheritagetrust.org.nz

I’m also on the Executive of the national organisation Historic Places Aotearoa, advocating for New Zealand’s Heritage and have just launched our new Heritage Blue Plaques Project. Plaques will be unveiling in the latter part of 2022 in Whanganui but are already established around New Zealand. https://www.blueplaques.nz

I’m Chair of the Whanganui Heritage Restoration Trust which owns the Native Land Court Building in Rutland Street, and we are working on its restoration along with fellow Trustees Richard Austin and Lyndsay Tait.

I’ve been on the organising committee of The Great Ball Whanganui in 2016 and 2019 and thrilled we raised $210,000 for Women’s Refuge Whanganui.

We have two grown sons and a wonderful daughter-in-law!