Seeker of new roads. Upholding paradox, simplicity, diversity & fair play.

The paradox of people,organisations and their future interactions in our changing and challenging world inspires me!

The Bay of Islands continues to be a source of enormous joy. All-weather swimming, picking up roadside litter, planting native trees, and kayaking to Russell and beyond. When you are up this way, be sure to join me – I have a second kayak – to reconnect with our marine ecosystem and celebrate the ocean on which we all depend.

In recent years, I have spent two months as a volunteer in Central African Republic looking after a conservation lodge, mentored business and nonviolent communication skills, volunteered in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, and honed my skills as a ‘Zero Waste Granny’ !

In 2023, after a summer with friends and family, I left my electric car to head to Europe as a solo cyclist and initiator of the Green Verges movement (but that is another story). Arriving in Lisbon in March, the grape vines were just budding into life. After tracing the historic pilgrims’ trail north to Santiago de Compostella, my folding bike Rafiki and I followed roads wherever they led. What wonderful people I met and what adventures I had before autumnal post-harvest colours on the vines signalled my arrival in Athens 6 months later…

My story so far:
I have had an enjoyably varied career. My initial degree in Agricultural Science (plant breeding) was followed by teaching in the Pacific, then 20 + years planning, building, and managing a large Resort Hotel/Conference Centre (achieving NZ Tourism National Award 2000). Since selling the hotel (2003), my work has included organisational administration, management, human resource roles, business mentoring and advocacy work, including 5 volunteer roles overseas.

Formally, I have tertiary qualifications and proven experience in Business Management, Quality Improvement, Financial Management and Human Resources, ESOL and Adult Literacy Tutoring, along with a recent Masters in International Development, my thesis focusing on the inspiring vision and work of Pare Kore, Aotearoa’s national Māori zero waste organisation.

AREAS OF INTEREST
People and Paradox, Zero Waste, Eco-tourism, Business Mentoring, Change Management, Nonviolent Communication.