Understand the environment today for a better tomorrow

Professional Profile

I have acquired knowledge about international challenges related to climate change and development through my participation in FIDIC Infrastructure Conferences. From 2012 to 2017 (Seoul, Barcelona, Rio de Janeiro, Dubai, Marrakesh, Jakarta) and in Mexico City in 2019, I attended these conferences as a non-member delegate starting in 2014.

My primary focus is on developing policies that address homelessness, poverty, and expanding opportunities for all New Zealanders to participate in the economy. I aim to establish robust public systems capable of responding effectively to both known and unknown challenges. Additionally, I work towards enabling key infrastructure development that improves the health and well-being of individuals and their communities.

I hold the position of Chair in the St Peter's on Willis, Te Aro Social Justice Group. Since 2014, our group has submitted on various issues such as Zero Carbon, Emission Reduction, Three Waters, Pricing Agricultural Emissions, and has made oral presentations to Select Committees, including Fair Pay Agreements, Inter-regional Passenger Rail, and most recently, the Immigration Mass Arrivals Amendment Bill. The St Peter's on Willis Social Justice Group, which was established in 2014, is an integral part of St Peter's on Willis' long-standing tradition of supporting community and social justice causes.

Furthermore, I serve as the Co-President of the New Zealand Public Health Association (PHA), a not-for-profit organization representing public health practitioners and engaging with government agencies. The PHA, established in 1988, is a membership organization that prioritizes health equity and strives to influence policy for the betterment of the health of all New Zealanders.

I am a proponent of social initiatives that promote income security and opportunities for active participation in society. I strongly value and respect the efforts of individuals raising children. Additionally, I support Fair Pay Agreements and Climate Change initiatives that facilitate investments in the infrastructure that underpins our society. Lastly, I advocate for the development of robust public systems capable of effectively responding to both known and unknown challenges.

Previous Roles

• Employed under contract at Victoria University of Wellington from March to December 2022.
• Specialist Adviser, Assurance, New Zealand Food Safety Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Wellington (April 2001 to March 2022).
• Technical Manager, Alliance Pukeuri Plant, Oamaru (February 1996 to April 2001).

Before these roles, my professional journey began after completing my BSc in Dunedin. Initially, I worked briefly at the Otago University Microbiology department as a technical assistant. Following that, I served as a laboratory technologist at Perry and Fitzgerald Laboratories. Later, my family and I relocated to Temuka, where I worked as a technician at the Clandeboye Dairy factory for one year.

During this time, I gained acceptance into Teachers College and taught Science at Temuka High School while undergoing training for just over six months. Subsequently, I transitioned to the role of a microbiologist at DB South Island Breweries in Washdyke near Timaru. I dedicated six years to this position and played a significant role in the development of process microbiological control for DB Natural, an unpasteurized beer.

Professional Associations

• Welcomed as a Professional member of Royal Society Te Apārangi. I am now entitled to use MRSNZ as part of my title.
• Elected as Co-President of the Public Health Association New Zealand since 2021, with confirmation at the 2023 AGM for the 2024 year.
• Elected as an executive council member of the Public Health Association New Zealand since 2020.
• Member of the New Zealand Association of Economists (NZAE) since 2020.
• Member of the Public Health Association New Zealand, Wellington branch, since 2016.
• Served as a vestry member of St Peter's on Willis Anglican Church in Te Aro, Wellington, from 2015 to 2022.
• Chair of the St Peter's on Willis Social Justice Group since its formation in 2014.
• Held professional membership with the New Zealand Food Safety & Technology (NZIFST) from 2010 to 2022.
• Invited guest on the IANZ Chemical, Biological, and Dairy Testing Professional Advisory Committee from 2009 to 2021.
• Served as a PSA Delegate from 2005 to 2022 and currently holds an Associate membership.

Education

• On May 16, 2017, I was awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Economics from the Victoria School of Economics and Finance. The program covered various subjects, including Economic Relationships in an Empirical Context, Institutions and Markets, Microeconomics in Context, Behavioural Economics, Macroeconomics in Context, and Natural Disasters and Climate Change.
• In December 2012, I completed a Master of Public Health degree at the University of Otago. My research focused on "The Economic Benefits of Food Safety Regulation." The thesis can be found at this link: https://ourarchive.otago.ac.nz/handle/10523/2463. This work has been cited by two sources.
• Additionally, I obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health from the University of Otago in 2010. The coursework covered areas such as Epidemiology, Society – Health & Public Policy, Health Systems, and Health Economics.
• My postgraduate studies were made possible by receiving the NZFSA Chief Executives Award in 2007.
• In December 1987, I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from the University of Otago. This included completion of stage 3 inorganic and organic chemistry papers.