Labour Candidate for Coromandel

Press Release.

I’m proud to be standing for Labour in the beautiful Coromandel electorate with its diverse communities and resilient, community-minded residents.

I’m standing for Labour because I believe Labour are the party that puts people’s needs at the heart of their decision making. Living in Thames near family, I’m part of a lively music scene and am a trustee for Thames Community Centre. My work takes me across Coromandel supporting people with mental health issues, so I see the financial and other challenges families face daily.

I’ve been a social activist with a strong commitment to social justice since I was a child growing up in the State Housing communities of Whakatane and Tauranga. I’ve been involved with the Labour party as a volunteer for many years in Hawkes Bay, Tauranga and now Thames. Also was involved with the NZEI as a staff rep and as part of wage round negotiating team, along with Helen Kelly. Spent time in Bougainville (PNG) on assignment with VSA (Volunteer Service Abroad) working with local colleagues to develop services for women and children who had experienced family violence.

During the pandemic I was a partner in a counselling/therapy business, and I was very grateful for Grant Robertson’s business support payments which enabled us to keep afloat and keep providing services to our community via zoom and phone.

I will bring my skills and experience as a community volunteer, businesswoman, teacher, psychologist, school principal, and senior public service manager to being an effective Member of Parliament for Coromandel.

I pledge to be a strong advocate for Coromandel’s economic, social, creative, and environmental future:

1/ Addressing social inequity, and improving Health and Education outcomes for all (e.g., free trade training),

2/ Safeguarding our natural resources and tackling climate change, especially regarding adverse weather events,

3/ Promoting best practice in Policing and Justice sectors,

4/ Championing local tourism.

5/ Developing job / business opportunities by promoting innovation and building infrastructure (e.g., roading, housing and public projects).

Caption: Laobur Logo.