She’s someone who gets on with the job and can be relied on to lend a helping hand, with a proven track record in business and community activities. As she enters her first election campaign, she explains to PJ TAYLOR what she’s done and why.
Where were you born and grew up?
I was born in London and grew up in Enfield, a leafy suburb on the outskirts of the city. As the middle child (I have an older sister, Louise, and a younger brother, Ben), we had a wonderful upbringing in a warm, loving family home. What began as a household of five has now grown into a close-knit clan of 17, with partners and children in the mix. Family has always been at the heart of everything we do, and despite the distance, we’re closer than ever. I learned early on to be adaptable, sociable, and, being the middle child, diplomatic! Communication has always come naturally to me, and those skills have been a strength through life.
Why did you come to New Zealand and when?
I moved to New Zealand in 2010 with my husband, Shane, and our four-month-old daughter, Lilia. Although I’d only been to New Zealand once before for a three-week holiday, it didn’t take long to fall in love with the idea of raising a family here. Shane was born at Howick Hospital and grew up in Pakuranga, so east Auckland already felt like home. After plenty of research we knew this was where we wanted to build our life; close to family, by the water and surrounded by an outdoor lifestyle we knew we’d love. We started out living with Shane’s parents while we got settled, and within four months we’d bought our first home in Shelly Park. We fell in love with the area immediately. So much so that when we outgrew that first home, we simply moved 30 houses down the road! That’s where we still are today, in our “forever” home. It’s been a decade-long labour of love renovating it (a huge shoutout to Snow Harris and the team at Metro Homes for their expertise!).
Why did you decide to put down roots in east Auckland?
Having left my family behind in London, it was really important to both Shane and I that we settled close to his family in Half Moon Bay. Moving to the furthest place on Earth from my loved ones was no small thing, as I’m incredibly close to my family, so being near our Kiwi whānau wasn’t just a nice-to-have, it was non-negotiable. For us, family sits at the heart of everything we do. We love living and raising our family in east Auckland.
What do you do for work?
I’m currently the head of sales at Explosive Social, a digital marketing agency where I’ve spent the past two years helping Kiwi business owners grow their revenue. It’s an incredibly rewarding role made even better by the talented team I work alongside. My career in digital advertising spans over 20 years; long before Facebook was even a thing. I began in the UK, joining a digital start-up as an account manager and rising to commercial director by the age of 27. After relocating to New Zealand, I launched the local arm of an Australian digital business and later became managing director for the Australasia region, leading teams across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland. In addition to my role at Explosive Social, in 2024 I took on the role of sales and events lead at East Auckland Tourism, which was a purposeful role where I was tasked with driving tourism initiatives for the east Auckland region. I worked with a fantastic operations team alongside the board, who are a dedicated group of volunteers, to promote our slice of paradise to New Zealand and the international tourism market.
You’re active in and passionate about community activities. Can you tell us about those and why you get involved?
For more than two decades, I’ve dedicated time to volunteering. Most recently this has included being an active member of the Shelly Park School PTA, sitting on the board of trustees, managing football teams at Bucklands Beach AFC and previously serving on the committee for Howick Rhythmic Gymnastics Club. I’m passionate about helping young people thrive through sport, and love being part of the teams that create those opportunities. Before moving to New Zealand, I spent five years volunteering with HCPT, a children’s charity supporting young people with a range of complex special needs. Each year, I was part of Group 100, which helped provide week-long holidays for the children and their siblings, offering their families valuable respite care. This experience was life-changing; alongside fostering lifelong friendships, it ignited a deep commitment to giving back, a strong sense of social responsibility and passion for standing up for those who need a voice. I absolutely love volunteering and giving back to my community, which is why I co-founded Shop Local, Shop Howick.
Why did you co-start the popular Facebook page Shop Local, Shop Howick during the pandemic?
At the start of Covid, uncertainty was everywhere. Our local businesses were suddenly unable to trade. Many didn’t have a website or any way to operate online. At the same time, my own business came to a grinding halt. Virtually all our advertising clients paused campaigns overnight, with many struggling to even get products into the country. I had a highly skilled digital team with no work to do, and a local business community desperately in need of support. So, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work, building a website where local businesses could promote themselves for free and connect directly with customers. Meanwhile, another local mum had set up a Facebook group for the same purpose. We joined forces, and Shop Local, Shop Howick was born. While the website served its purpose during lockdowns, it was the Facebook group that truly took off. Post-Covid, the group has continued to thrive and is now one of the most engaged, supportive local communities online. With over 12,000 members and an admin team of four dedicated local volunteers, we work hard behind the scenes to ensure it remains a positive, helpful, and safe space. We moderate it actively and intentionally, because left unchecked, Facebook groups can quickly spiral into negativity. I’m incredibly proud of the digital platform we created and continue to nurture. It’s proof that when community and capability come together, amazing things can happen.
Why have you decided to run in the upcoming local elections for a Howick Local Board seat for the Pakuranga subdivision?
I’ve seen first-hand what we can achieve when we come together as a community, and with a passion to help businesses not just survive, but thrive, I want to put my expertise to good use! Anyone who knows me knows that I am a “doer”, and I’ve invested time, energy, and heart into local initiatives and know I can make a real difference. If elected, I will serve with purpose, passion, and a deep commitment to making Pakuranga an even better place to live, work, raise a family and enjoy life.
When you have time out from your busy schedule, where are some of your favourite places in east Auckland to spend time?
I feel incredibly lucky to call east Auckland home. There are so many beautiful spots right on our doorstep. One of my favourite places to walk is Bucklands Beach. On quieter Saturday mornings, I love walking from Half Moon Bay Marina, along the walkway up to Bucklands Beach. Once or twice, I’ve been lucky enough to spot dolphins just off the shore, one of those magical reminders of why New Zealand is such a special place! A breakfast stop at Ara Tai is always a treat, and when I’m out with our dog Rusty, a cup of tea at Cinnamon Café is a must, mainly because he adores the attention and pats from their incredibly friendly dog-loving team!
If there was one thing in New Zealand society you’d like changed, what would it be?
I believe one of the most urgent issues facing us is the state of our mental health system, particularly for our young people. It’s heartbreaking that New Zealand continues to have one of the highest youth suicide rates in the OECD. Beyond the statistic, it reflects a deep, systemic failure to provide timely, accessible, and effective support for those in need. The truth is our mental health services are stretched to the brink. The incredible people working in this space are doing their best, but the demand far outpaces the resources. Waitlists are too long, access is inconsistent, and someone in the middle of a mental health crisis simply cannot afford to wait weeks, or even days, for help. Mental health support should be treated as essential, not optional. Everyone, especially our young people, deserve to feel heard, safe, and supported, not left to navigate a crisis in silence.
