Question: Why did you run for Council?
Answer: I am passionate about creating resilient, sustainable communities. For the last three years I have sought to bring a change in culture at Tasman District Council. I have argued for workshops to be open to the public, for meetings to be live-streamed, and for the public to be able to present in public forum via video-link for our remote rural communities. I am most proud of getting more councillors appointed to the Commercial Committee with a change in Standing Orders. This means that even if decisions are made in committee, there is a good range of democratically elected representatives present and voting (something that was lacking previously). I achieved this my first meeting at council, and have been chipping away at issues of transparency and accountability ever since.
Question: What experience do you bring to Council?
Answer: I have been appointed to key roles for the last three years. I am Deputy-Chair of Community Development, Chair of the Accessibility for All Forum, appointed to the Commercial Committee and the Waimea Inlet Coordination Group. I have board expertise at a national and local level. I am used to advocating for the community and asking the hard questions. Prior to raising my family I worked as a commercial lawyer at Kensington Swan in Auckland. I have a Ph.D. in Medical Law and Ethics from King’s College London, and I am very interested in promoting health and wellbeing and a closer relationship with the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board.
Question: Why is it important to promote closer ties with the District Health Board?
Answer: I have worked closely with members from the DBH and other key organisations like Age Concern, Blind Citizens NZ (Nelson Branch), Hearing NZ and others in my capacity as Chair of the Accessibility for All forum. The health of the community should always be on the council agenda. What happens in the community affects how efficiently the hospital board operates, and vice versa.
Question: What experience of politics do you bring?
Answer: The last three years have been crucial for Tasman, with some key decisions made. I have worked strategically for the last three years to get the very best deal for my ratepayers in every decision I make. I have learned that you cannot achieve anything in isolation in politics. You have to work with the community and your fellow councillors to get things done. I was brought up with the philosophy that if you don’t like something you get involved and try and bring about a change. My father served on the Tasman District Power Board, and my great grandfather was twice elected Mayor of Invercargill, and represented the Invercargill electorate in Parliament. When I lived in Canada I wrote a newspaper column on issues of politics and society, and in New Zealand I have written for the Herald, the Otago Daily Times, and the Nelson Mail.
Question: How do issues of cost effectiveness and rates affect local government decision-making?
Answer: Section 10 of the Local Government Act expressly states that Council obligations are required 'to be performed in a way that is cost-effective for households and business'. Tasman District Council ratepayers are still paying high rates when compared with other areas of equal size and population. With an ageing community and many low income areas of Tasman this high debt level is still unacceptable. Keeping rates at an affordable level is an ongoing challenge with strong leadership required. At the moment TDC's Financial Strategy incorporates a limit on total rates income increases. The limit is set at a maximum of 3% per annum, with an 'allowance for annual growth' in rateable properties.
Question: What do you mean when you say you will 'prioritise core council services?'
Answer: I believe that council should focus on what it is established to do. Core services are clearly stated in the Local Government Act.
Question: Can you tell us what core services are?
Answer: Yes. Councils are required to have particular regard for the following: network infrastructure; public transport services; solid waste collection and disposal; the avoidance or mitigation of natural hazards; and libraries, museums, reserves, and other recreational facilities and community amenities.
Question: You are the freedom of speech spokesperson for New Zealand. What can you tell us about the obligations of local government?
Answer: Section 14 of the Local Government Act expressly states that a local authority must 'conduct its business in an open, transparent, and democratically accountable manner'. It's hard to do this when there are constraints on what Councillor's can do or say. Some councils in NZ have policies that effectively 'gag' their elected members from expressing an opinion. Tasman District Council is better than most. It allows elected members to express their personal views on an issue, so long as they don't imply they are the views of council, disclose confidential information, or compromise the integrity of staff.
Question: You say you support an age-friendly community. What do you mean?
Answer: Updating the Age-Friendly Policy for Tasman was an election promise of mine in 2016. I am proud to say I have spearheaded this through the Council process and our new policy was adopted early in 2019. Tasman is an ageing population. Promoting an age-friendly community is great for people. Good for business. It creates jobs and a vibrant engaged community that meets the needs of its citizens. There's a great video explaining what I mean. Sit down with a cup of coffee and look at this video.
Question: What obligations do you think the Tasman District Council has in relation to protecting and promoting the environment?
Answer: I believe that New Zealand (and Tasman in particular) is a jewel that we need to protect for ourselves and the generations to come. I would like to see the council be proactive in relation to the obligations under section 14 of the Local Government Act which obliges Local Authorities to take a 'sustainable development approach', taking into account (among other things) the need to maintain and enhance the quality of the environment; and the reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations.
Question: What are your views on climate change?
Answer: I’ve worked hard the last three years to bring climate change measures to Tasman. I showed leadership and introduced the climate change declaration at a workshop (unfortunately rejected by the majority of councilors). I’ve successfully advocated for public transport and the Richmond Bus loop. Sitting on the Joint Waste Minimisation Committee I argued to have targets to reduce waste to landfill. I initiated Tasman having climate change implications incorporated as a compulsory part of every report brought to us across committees of Environment and Planning, Engineering, Community Development, and Commercial Committee. I support Council working with community groups to advance understanding of climate change across the areas of reducing emissions, climate change adaptation, setting targets, and support. There are difficult decisions in the next few years around managed retreat, sea level rise, and the protection of biodiversity that exists along our vulnerable coastline. These decisions need to be resolved in partnership with our community. Finally, my background in medical law makes me acutely aware of the health implications of climate change. I would encourage Council to work closely with the DHB to benefit all members of the community and make this a joint conversation, not one Council fronts alone.
Question: Where can we find out more about your involvement with environmental concerns?
Answer: If you want to find out more about my involvement with protecting the environment you can listen to Fresh Start Monday on Fresh FM (Monday 12th September) which includes an interview with me in my capacity as spokesperson for Friends of the Motueka Estuaries. I talk about the godwit festival and the ecological and cultural importance of protecting our estuaries and waterways. Click here for a link to the podcast.
Answer: I am passionate about creating resilient, sustainable communities. For the last three years I have sought to bring a change in culture at Tasman District Council. I have argued for workshops to be open to the public, for meetings to be live-streamed, and for the public to be able to present in public forum via video-link for our remote rural communities. I am most proud of getting more councillors appointed to the Commercial Committee with a change in Standing Orders. This means that even if decisions are made in committee, there is a good range of democratically elected representatives present and voting (something that was lacking previously). I achieved this my first meeting at council, and have been chipping away at issues of transparency and accountability ever since.
Question: What experience do you bring to Council?
Answer: I have been appointed to key roles for the last three years. I am Deputy-Chair of Community Development, Chair of the Accessibility for All Forum, appointed to the Commercial Committee and the Waimea Inlet Coordination Group. I have board expertise at a national and local level. I am used to advocating for the community and asking the hard questions. Prior to raising my family I worked as a commercial lawyer at Kensington Swan in Auckland. I have a Ph.D. in Medical Law and Ethics from King’s College London, and I am very interested in promoting health and wellbeing and a closer relationship with the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board.
Question: Why is it important to promote closer ties with the District Health Board?
Answer: I have worked closely with members from the DBH and other key organisations like Age Concern, Blind Citizens NZ (Nelson Branch), Hearing NZ and others in my capacity as Chair of the Accessibility for All forum. The health of the community should always be on the council agenda. What happens in the community affects how efficiently the hospital board operates, and vice versa.
Question: What experience of politics do you bring?
Answer: The last three years have been crucial for Tasman, with some key decisions made. I have worked strategically for the last three years to get the very best deal for my ratepayers in every decision I make. I have learned that you cannot achieve anything in isolation in politics. You have to work with the community and your fellow councillors to get things done. I was brought up with the philosophy that if you don’t like something you get involved and try and bring about a change. My father served on the Tasman District Power Board, and my great grandfather was twice elected Mayor of Invercargill, and represented the Invercargill electorate in Parliament. When I lived in Canada I wrote a newspaper column on issues of politics and society, and in New Zealand I have written for the Herald, the Otago Daily Times, and the Nelson Mail.
Question: How do issues of cost effectiveness and rates affect local government decision-making?
Answer: Section 10 of the Local Government Act expressly states that Council obligations are required 'to be performed in a way that is cost-effective for households and business'. Tasman District Council ratepayers are still paying high rates when compared with other areas of equal size and population. With an ageing community and many low income areas of Tasman this high debt level is still unacceptable. Keeping rates at an affordable level is an ongoing challenge with strong leadership required. At the moment TDC's Financial Strategy incorporates a limit on total rates income increases. The limit is set at a maximum of 3% per annum, with an 'allowance for annual growth' in rateable properties.
Question: What do you mean when you say you will 'prioritise core council services?'
Answer: I believe that council should focus on what it is established to do. Core services are clearly stated in the Local Government Act.
Question: Can you tell us what core services are?
Answer: Yes. Councils are required to have particular regard for the following: network infrastructure; public transport services; solid waste collection and disposal; the avoidance or mitigation of natural hazards; and libraries, museums, reserves, and other recreational facilities and community amenities.
Question: You are the freedom of speech spokesperson for New Zealand. What can you tell us about the obligations of local government?
Answer: Section 14 of the Local Government Act expressly states that a local authority must 'conduct its business in an open, transparent, and democratically accountable manner'. It's hard to do this when there are constraints on what Councillor's can do or say. Some councils in NZ have policies that effectively 'gag' their elected members from expressing an opinion. Tasman District Council is better than most. It allows elected members to express their personal views on an issue, so long as they don't imply they are the views of council, disclose confidential information, or compromise the integrity of staff.
Question: You say you support an age-friendly community. What do you mean?
Answer: Updating the Age-Friendly Policy for Tasman was an election promise of mine in 2016. I am proud to say I have spearheaded this through the Council process and our new policy was adopted early in 2019. Tasman is an ageing population. Promoting an age-friendly community is great for people. Good for business. It creates jobs and a vibrant engaged community that meets the needs of its citizens. There's a great video explaining what I mean. Sit down with a cup of coffee and look at this video.
Question: What obligations do you think the Tasman District Council has in relation to protecting and promoting the environment?
Answer: I believe that New Zealand (and Tasman in particular) is a jewel that we need to protect for ourselves and the generations to come. I would like to see the council be proactive in relation to the obligations under section 14 of the Local Government Act which obliges Local Authorities to take a 'sustainable development approach', taking into account (among other things) the need to maintain and enhance the quality of the environment; and the reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations.
Question: What are your views on climate change?
Answer: I’ve worked hard the last three years to bring climate change measures to Tasman. I showed leadership and introduced the climate change declaration at a workshop (unfortunately rejected by the majority of councilors). I’ve successfully advocated for public transport and the Richmond Bus loop. Sitting on the Joint Waste Minimisation Committee I argued to have targets to reduce waste to landfill. I initiated Tasman having climate change implications incorporated as a compulsory part of every report brought to us across committees of Environment and Planning, Engineering, Community Development, and Commercial Committee. I support Council working with community groups to advance understanding of climate change across the areas of reducing emissions, climate change adaptation, setting targets, and support. There are difficult decisions in the next few years around managed retreat, sea level rise, and the protection of biodiversity that exists along our vulnerable coastline. These decisions need to be resolved in partnership with our community. Finally, my background in medical law makes me acutely aware of the health implications of climate change. I would encourage Council to work closely with the DHB to benefit all members of the community and make this a joint conversation, not one Council fronts alone.
Question: Where can we find out more about your involvement with environmental concerns?
Answer: If you want to find out more about my involvement with protecting the environment you can listen to Fresh Start Monday on Fresh FM (Monday 12th September) which includes an interview with me in my capacity as spokesperson for Friends of the Motueka Estuaries. I talk about the godwit festival and the ecological and cultural importance of protecting our estuaries and waterways. Click here for a link to the podcast.
