Queenstown/Wakatipu ward (six seats)

Age: 58 

Occupation: Garston School teacher 

Family: Husband Graham and two adult children Sarah and Robert. Both Sarah and Robert are living and working Australia – with Robert travelling to and from Ireland regularly 

Number of years in the Wakatipu: My family has been holidaying in the Wakatipu area from 1985-2006, and we’ve been living permanently in our house in Kingston from January 2007 

Main claim to fame in the resort: Organising a welcome home day for our New Zealand author and illustrator, Gavin Bishop. Gavin requested a reunion of school and community members from the 1950s to help him launch his book Piano Rock – about life in Kingston during the 1950s. 

Main reason for standing: To research and debate environmentally-friendly and sensible pricing of sewage system in our Kingston area 

Single biggest issue: That the cost of rates ceases to increase. They have reached the stage where household budgets can’t accommodate any further increases. Every resident in the Wakatipu area should benefit from the money they spend on rates. Tourism has left the citizen who lives in our area out of the picture as the emphasis in the area is continual promotion for the commercial growth. I enjoy being involved in the community and I’m currently working alongside Paula McAulliffe, another member of the Kingston community to provide weekly sport activities for the children from the Kingston basin. 

Biggest gaffe: You’ll have to wait for my biggest gaffe!

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