Freedom regarding our environment, our bodies and our choices, have been eroded one by one over time and I am standing as a candidate in this election to help implement solutions that can reverse that and to encourage people to claim back their own power and freedoms. I would also like to oversee and support the cannabis referendum that I helped initiate, to stop the unnecessary yet rampant persecution and prosecution as well as to make it easily accessible and affordable for those who need it!

Many people in this country have devastatingly suffered, yet their voices have not been heard. I know because I am one of them. I was brought up lost in the welfare system, stigmatized in the school system, used and abused in the health system and targeted by the justice system. And yet, I could always find the silver lining. I strive for a happy, healthy community and environment where our children can thrive and I will never give up until we succeed. Localism and freedom of choice is key here.

I stand for people powered democracy and transparency that has been promised but never delivered by successive governments. They do not trust the people with the truth. I will ensure the people will not be treated like children anymore. Hope is what that gets people up in the morning, yet our great-grandchildren will be repaying the debt incurred by this governments poor decisions, so accountability must be made law! It is foolish to give anyone authority who is not accountable for the results of their actions.

As a former Senior Leader in the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery and manager in a government department I know the issues the East faces, and will be tackling them head on. I seek the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Portfolio and will ensure that Christchurch East is treated fairly. Flooding and water quality issues must be sorted! I will draw on my extensive experience in youth work and my time as a Board Member of Agape Trust in Aranui to ensure that youth and families in the East are provided with hope for a prosperous and healthy future.

Our vision for a society that cares for all people, and for nature, is both realistic and possible. The government must protect people and planet. For too many years, greed and lack of vision have eroded these protections and people have lost hope. I want people to understand that under our MMP system, a party vote for the Greens is the way to shape the government to reflect our shared values. The more Green MPs we have in parliament, the more transformative our government will be.

I am a professional musician, who loves to spend time in nature, ride my bike, make pottery, grow food and spend time with my grand-children. I've lived in this area for over thirty years. I wish everyone had the choices I have. To enjoy their work, to live in a clean, warm, dry home, and spend time in nature. I am a candidate for the Greens because I believe that having Greens in government is the only way to ensure everyone can live a good life, and that nature and future generations thrive.