My journey to becoming an ECan candidate had beginnings back in 2003 after becoming very sick having drunk town supply water sourced from the Hurunui River. I do not want others to experience that level of water borne sickness! Investigation as to how this contamination could have been allowed took me to Environment Canterbury to learn as much as I could about the issues of water quality and allocation. I was very shocked to learn how many of our waterways are seriously contaminated and unfit for drinking and, over summer months, unfit for swimming. We should be able to take our children swimming in the Ashley or at Coes Ford without health risks.

Over the last eighteen months I have spent hundreds of hours of my own time attending ECan meetings, workshops, hearings and field trips. I have made submissions and presentations to council, most recently when advocating for higher flows in the Hurunui River to improve the water quality and health of the river. This has given me depth of understanding of the many and varied responsibilities of ECan and the governance role of councillor. This would allow me to be an effective councillor almost immediately.

I was born and raised on a mixed sheep and cropping farm bordering the Hurunui River that had been in the family since 1893. I know first-hand about rabbits, gorse, erosion and flooded farmland. Working on shearing gangs and high country sheep stations gave me further farming experience.  While currently living in St Albans with my husband, I am still involved in rural and coastal issues as a property owner in the Cheviot area. The role of ECan councillor requires an in-depth understanding of both rural and urban issues and I have that balanced ‘town and country’ viewpoint.

After high school in Christchurch and a Batchelor of Science at the University of Canterbury I taught high school science in Nelson. Outdoor education programmes were the highlight of the year for many of those students allowing them to experience our beautiful bush and coastlines with the biodiversity of native plants, animals and birds that we must protect.

Many years of involvement in healthcare software development have given me international and local business management experience. I am co-owner of Fuse Partners Ltd., a consulting company with clients in NZ, USA, and the UK. Currently I work remotely for the USA based General Electric Healthcare.

As co-founder of WaterWisdom (www.waterwisdom.org.nz) a citizen based group helping people become informed and involved in water issues, I have given many presentations raising the awareness of the current status of water in our region.

I am a big believer in the building strong supportive local communities and have organised get-togethers for residents of our street. As environmental representative for the Christchurch Branch of National Council of Women New Zealand I coordinate local submissions on proposed legislation and keep members informed on environmental issues. I am active in Civil Defence communications for the Shirley-Papanui sector and participate in business, walking and conservation groups locally.

I am currently doing post graduate studies in Environmental Science at University of Canterbury to increase my knowledge and understanding of our region and its issues so I can be well prepared for this role.

I offer you informed representation and decision making based on common sense, commitment, understanding the science and asking the hard questions. Together we can bring new energy and critical planning to this important role.