I arrived in Tauranga in 2003, having returned to NZ after a 20 year 'overseas experience' that started in 1983.  The first 5 years of my OE were the usual mix of casual work and travel, but in 1988 I got offered a 'proper' job.

This led to a successful career as a management consultant, that finished with retirement aged 40 in 2000.  That was also the year our first child was born, and after considering our options, we decided to raise our family in New Zealand.

In 2003, we made Tauranga our home, and we love this place.

But, after taking a 'professional' interest in the management of the city, I quickly came to the conclusion that the city, and its residential ratepayers in particular, were being badly served by too many of the elected Councillors.

In short, key decisions by successive Councils had resulted in a city that served the interests of land developers and commercial property investors ahead of those who chose to make Tauranga home.

So in 2007, I decided to become a politician.