I have had the privilege of serving the community and I know how important a thriving community is to the health, wellbeing and resilience of us all. The recent Lockdown demonstrated how we care for each other. I believe many solutions to long term problems such as family violence, lie in strengthening our communities and the NGO sector. I also come to Parliament to do what I can to make Aotearoa a safe place for our kids to thrive and reach their full potential.

I'm a mum and grandmum and spent much of my professional life serving in various community roles. I'm a keen (if uninformed) sports watcher, though my days of playing are mostly behind me, I keep fit by jogging as many days as I can down the beautiful Marine Parade. I hold an MBA and started my DBA, but gave this study away to serve the people of Christchurch East. My family came from the Cook Islands in the late 1950's and I am Cook Island Kiwi, supporting the Christchurch Pacific community.

I believe in a country where the citizens have a say in how the country is run and that the government is there to serve it's people. I am concerned about the breakdown in families and the increasing mental health issues in our youth so I will ensure the government place priority for our young people by supporting and investing in family relationships. For our people to believe in themselves they need a hand up by equipping and empowering them. Actions not words or unkept promises.

After teaching all levels in Christchurch primary schools for the past 15 years I founded a charitable trust in the heart of East Christchurch supporting women and families. Through my teaching and life experience I am able to empower women and families to value their contribution to society by equipping them with skills for successful parenting and future career opportunities. I also work alongside agencies supporting children who have experienced a history of trauma. Education is key for success.

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.