Current parliamentary roles

• Deputy-Chairperson, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee
• Deputy-Chairperson, Government Administration Committee

Former parliamentary roles

• Member, Education and science select committee 9 November 2005-13 December 2006
• Member, Local Government and Environment Committee -3 October 2008

Personal details

Born 13 May 1957, married with three children

Education/qualifications

• Carncot School, Palmerston North
• Terrace-end School, Palmerston North
• Freyberg High School, Palmerston North
• Queen Elizabeth College, Palmerston North
• Studied education at tertiary level

Career

• Former Hospitality worker
• Former Retail Store Manager
• Former Professional actor, starred in four Roger Hall world premieres, Fortune Theatre, Dunedin
• Former Radio Announcer
• Former Television Presenter, Play School, TVNZ
• Former Marketing Manager and Tutor, Aoraki Polytechnic, Dunedin School of Television, Theatre and Radio
• Councillor, Waitaki District Council 1998-2001
• Deputy Mayor, Waitaki District Council 2001-2004

Community activities

• Committee member and voluntary organiser, Oamaru millennium celebrations, Takaro Park
• Chairperson, Oamaru Opera House restoration project
• Patron, Oamaru SPCA
• Member, St Hilda’s Collegiate board of proprietors
• Member, St Kevin’s College Home and School Association Committee
• Producer, Wearable Arts fundraiser, Waitaki Community Recreation Centre
• Trustee, Whitestone Civic Trust

Leisure activities

The performing arts, small farming