About

Research, policy and regulatory expertise

My working life has revolved around research, policy, and writing.
I've had lots of wins in my career in the public sector working for Ministries, departments, Crown agents and local authorities. I've managed large policy projects and teams. Some of the highlights of my career include:

Managing teams for the Porirua City Council, Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Office for Disability Issues, Ministry of Transport and the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Reviewing legal aid fees (family, civil and criminal) for the Ministry of Justice.
Regulatory stewardship, reviews of legislation such as the Privacy Act, and the application of new law e.g. into legal aid, into regulations.
Designing and costing new assistance for low income families to act as a financial incentive to move off benefit; the genesis of the In-Work Tax Credit now in place.
Statistical analysis and writing to tell a family-centred story of social change over generations in New Zealand.
Management of a $4 million investment in cultural diplomacy for the Ministry for Culture and Heritage and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, culminating in cultural activities launched in China to support New Zealand's trade, tourism and diplomatic accomplishments in this country of strategic importance.
Working for Treasury on the housing desk.

Qualifications

Post-Graduate Diploma in Business and Administration (Marketing); Massey University.
Post-Graduate Diploma in Social Science Research; Victoria University of Wellington.
Graduate Diploma in English (Creative Writing); Massey University.
Certificate in Bookkeeping; Career Academy.
Bachelor of Arts (Religious Studies); Victoria University of Wellington.
Speech and Drama:

Associate of New Zealand Speech Board Diploma (ASB).
Associate of Trinity College of London Diploma (ATCL).

Selection of published research & evaluation

Commissioned by Arts Access Aotearoa. 2020-21.

                - The Benefits of Arts in Corrections. Click: here.
           - A Sector Seeking Support in 2020 and Beyond: Research on Auckland's Creative Spaces and Art
                    Programmes. Click: here.

Commissioned by the Families Commission. 2008. The Kiwi Nest: 60 Years of Change in New Zealand Families. Click: Library Catalogue or here.
The report examines the factors that affect the formation and existence of families, and how families adapt to change. If families are adaptable, communities and society benefit.
Commissioned by ALAC. 2002. Assessment of Health Impacts of Lowering the Minimum Legal Age for Purchasing Alcohol in New Zealand. Occasional Paper No. 16. Click: Library Catalogue or here.
Commissioned by the Housing Corporation. 1991.

                 - Inside/outside: family violence and housing. Click: Library Catalogue.
                 - Support housing, who supports it? Community attitudes to local housing for psychiatric consumers.
                    Click: Library Catalogue.

Boards and committees

South Wairarapa District Council. District (Alcohol) Licensing Commissioner|
Chair of the District Licensing Committee. 2020-2023.
Labour Party. Masterton Branch. Chair. 2020.
Harlequin Theatre, Masterton. 2013.
Athena Montessori College Board of Governors. 2008.

Pro bono

Featherston Booktown. 2022. Friend.
Foodbank. 2021. Volunteer.
Oxfam New Zealand. 2009. Policy and advocacy internship.
Port Nicholson Rotary Club. 2002-2006.

Associations

New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA). Information about the NZSA can be found here.

Awards

Silver Medal in the 2019 Global Ebook Awards in the Historical Literature Fiction-Contemporary Category for: The War of Gwylim Harris.