I am Margaret and I am a woman of action—a doer. Currently, I am a Kaimai Ward councillor on the Western Bay of Plenty District Council. Some years ago, I launched the Life Education Trust throughout the South Island and am currently a Resource Management Commissioner and a Justice of the Peace.
I have a strong network of connections within the local business sector, the community, and across local and central government. I’ve worked in public service—across both regional and local government—most of my working life, and I love what I do.
My early local government career began in Christchurch. A former teacher, I was first elected onto Waimairi District Council as a top-polling candidate in 1977. I was only the second female councillor ever to be elected at that time.
I went on to lead both the Waimairi District Council and the Canterbury United Council (now Christchurch City Council as chairwoman, being the first female chair ever to be elected there. The Waimairi District Council was a wraparound district for Christchurch city—a relationship rather like that between the Western Bay and Tauranga.
Early in my career, when leading the Waimairi District Council, I learned how to finance a business with very little money, how to garner support, and how to use my initiative to get things done. I’m highly experienced in working with a board, getting the best out of people, and making things happen for the community.
A lover of summer sports such as tennis, I am also a proud mother to my three adult children, a proud grandmother to my grandchildren, and a committed and contributing member of my community.
My early local government career began in Christchurch. A former teacher, I was first elected onto Waimairi District Council as a top-polling candidate in 1977. I was only the second female councillor ever to be elected at that time.
I went on to lead both the Waimairi District Council and the Canterbury United Council (now Christchurch City Council as chairwoman, being the first female chair ever to be elected there. The Waimairi District Council was a wraparound district for Christchurch city—a relationship rather like that between the Western Bay and Tauranga.
Early in my career, when leading the Waimairi District Council, I learned how to finance a business with very little money, how to garner support, and how to use my initiative to get things done. I’m highly experienced in working with a board, getting the best out of people, and making things happen for the community.
A lover of summer sports such as tennis, I am also a proud mother to my three adult children, a proud grandmother to my grandchildren, and a committed and contributing member of my community.