Projects

A selection of the project areas and projects I have worked on is summarised below. Some of these roles were undertaken as a consultant and others as a staff member. Please contact me for more information.

Strategic Assessment and Coordination

  • Working as a regional coordinator for Got Drive Community Trust with the Matariki 2.4D (driver licencing subgroup supporting Hawke’s Bay’s Regional Economic Development and Social Inclusion Strategy).
  • Supported Nelson City Council with strategic review and assessment of projects for Parks and Reserves.
  • Working with a team to set up communications plan outline for the Driving Change network.

Project Management and Facilitation

  • I was contracted to Local Government New Zealand for some time to cover various projects and roles. This included setting up the KnowHow training project for local government elected members, overseeing development of the first (Finance 101) training module and project managing implementation of the first phase of the module. Following this proof of concept, two full-time staff were recruited to further develop the programme.
  • As a Development Programme Manager at the New Zealand Aid Programme (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) I successfully worked with the Cook Islands Government, New Zealand Embassy Staff, contractors and other partners to implement various infrastructure and development programmes and to support Ministerial visits. In earlier cover positions, I worked with representatives from Indonesia to support student programmes and a Government visit, and set up training for partners from Tokelau.
  • While with Allen & Clarke I worked with Environment Bay of Plenty and the Whakatane District Council to develop a business case for the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management to enable strengthening of flood and slip protection measures.

International Roles

  • While at Allen & Clarke I worked for two weeks in Viet Nam assisting government agencies to write applications for tobacco control programme funding.
  • I was then contracted (again through Allen & Clarke) to spend three months on contract to the World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) in China to work in support of their local staff, government agencies and non-government organisations to progress tobacco control work. This work included organising an International Conference on Tobacco Control with the support of key agencies such as the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health.
  • Later, the Union (International Union for Tuberculosis and Lung Disease) contracted me to assist with contract negotiations in Thailand.

Research

  • I undertook analysis with the support of others including the Hastings Returned Services Association to identify dozens of “poppy places” in Hastings District and to collate the stories behind them. Many of the streets with greatest local significance have been marked with ceremonies and new street signs and others await final implementation by the Council.
  • Worked for the Ministry of Health to write the stories highlighted in the publication Public Health (Wellbeing) in New Zealand: Interface with Local Government.

Submission Analysis

  • Analysing hundreds of submissions on the Building Amendment Act 2010, noting themes, areas of support, concerns and other issues raised. This assisted the (then) Department of Building and Housing to assess which of the proposed changes would assist in building a stronger framework, with responsibility allocated to those most suited to deal with it.
  • Analysing submissions on the Opera House earthquake strengthening and Arts Precinct for Hastings District Council (on staff) to assist in identifying key themes and ideas.
  • Analysis of submissions on the joint Hastings Distict and Napier City Councils Smokefree Policy, to ensure that the Councils and Joint Committee were fully informed of the range of support and opposition points.

Consultation

  • Developing the Anderson Park Community Plan in close collaboration with Lucknow School, the Public Health Nurse, Red Cross, local churches and the local community.
  • Consultation with key parties, businesses and the community on the Hastings Distict and Napier City Councils Smokefree Policy.

Community Development

  • Working closely with partners (particularly local schools, health / social support agencies and churches) and the community to implement actions identified in the Anderson Park Community Plan, including redeveloping a walkway with a student-painted mural, creating a community garden, instituting a community noticeboard, supporting various community activities and implementing an after-school sports programme.
  • Planning / running Community-Led Development workshops and supporting initiatives that came from this such as the Hawke’s Bay DIY Coffin Club.
  • Jointly planning and overseeing a Youth Symposium, working closely with the (then) Children’s Commissioner Russell Wills, local youth service providers and other partners.