I was born and bred in Invercargill, went to Otago University to study law – at a time when it was still considered a rather masculine persuit – and then I worked a year at the Crown Solicitor’s office in Hamilton and as the Invercargill branch solicitor for the State Advances Corporation. I led the trend by staying away much longer than two years for my OE, spending thirteen years in Italy where I married and my daughter was born - so I know some of the good experiences being an immigrant brings as well as the difficulties. During those years I worked in a jewelers, owned and operated a dry cleaning business and then compiled entries for early legal data bases, including the UK, Irish and Italian entries for Enlex, an EU database on environmental law.
In 1986 I returned to New Zealand with my daughter – so I also know something about being a sole parent – and settled in Wellington. I have lived in Wellington ever since, most of it in the Onslow-Western ward. I worked for a short time as a solicitor and then on policy, mainly in the ministries of social and economc development.
My interests include theatre, opera, yoga, Scottish country dancing, reading, going to galleries and films. I have traveled widely and besides Italy I have lived for short periods in Australia, England and France.
I love Wellington for its beauty, its vibrancy and the tolerance of its people.
