Originally from a farm just north of Upper Hutt, I went to school locally, then attended Massey University doing a Bachelor of Applied Economics, My family shifted to our current family farm in 1998 where I sharemilked, and now with my Wife and Daughters we have just over 500 cows. I am the past National President of Federated Farmers Of New Zealand, as well as being a Board Member of the International Dairy Federation. Once upon a time I was also slightly handy in the front row for club rugby, these days I just prefer to cheer my daughters on at their sports.
I'm standing for the ACT party because I believe my knowledge and experience in the rural policy arena can help turn back a number of the poorly thought through regulations and red tape that currently wrap farmers up. But most importantly I am really alarmed at the state New Zealand is in and I want to be part of the team that helps to fix this. We need government focusing on the core issues only it can focus on. We have to bring wasteful govt spending back under control. I want my daughters to see a bright future in New Zealand.