​I experienced the turning of a tide last Friday night.  A catalyst for a different tomorrow.  An example of Maori self-determination succeeding at the very highest level.  Yes, I was privileged to be amongst approximately 700 people, including the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, celebrating excellence in Maori Farming.
 
The announcement that Omapere Rangihamama Trust (ORT) had won the Ahuwhenua Trophy saw a large contingent of Ngapuhi rise to their feet in explosive celebration.  The sense of pride and passion was clear.  The Ahuwhenua Trophy remains the pre-eminent accolade to win in Maori farming and is recognised as the most prestigious and comprehensively judged award in New Zealand.  I was heartened to see the support of other iwi and hapu from throughout the North there in support of the Trust and event.  To me, it signified collective strength, ownership and recognition of hard-won success.  As the Chair of the Trust, Sonny Tau, had stated earlier ‘at iwi level, this competition means everything’. 
 
When one considers the need for aspirational role modelling within the ‘heart’ of Ngapuhi, it doesn’t get much better than this.  It is an achievement that needs to be celebrated and shared as a community and as a district (plans are amidst!)  The impact the win had on members of the whanau on the night was testament enough of the sacrifice made to change the tide.  To work towards a better tomorrow, with vision, clear process and hard yards.
 
As I was sitting at this amazing gala dinner, I reflected on legacy.  That the world we live in today is the legacy shaped by decisions of those that walked before us.  That these decisions have brought us to this very place.  And although the odd individual stands out – for both incredible, horrendous and everything-in-between actions – the reality is that people stood with, against or were just indifferent and thus became part of the collective outcome.
 
As I consider where we could be heading and recognise the need for strong leadership, brave leadership to step up and counter the current flow, I am incredibly encouraged by those that are trying.  Those people that are prepared to put their heads above the parapet and work towards a better future – because it isn’t  easy to go against the tide.  The key point here, though, is that all leaders are part of the team.  And success in any form is always the outcome of a collective approach.
 
ORT would not be where it is today without collective buy-in and working as a unit.  It is through their collective vision and clear understanding of where they want to be, who they want to be (i.e. building their legacy) that they have managed to achieve such significant success.  And all credit to them. 

​I was recently asked, does gender diversity add value and why is this important?  Here’s my response. 

I have no doubt that gender diversity adds value. The fact that gender diversity (and cultural diversity) have finally been extracted from the shadows of a male-dominated society and given the recognition they deserve, as a foundation of progressive thinking, is testimony to that.  We only need to look around the world to see the impacts of previous male-dominated decision making. 

But I want to be clear, it is not about which gender is superior. This is simply not an argument.  Each brings a strength, an identity, a way in which decisions are made and business is undertaken.  Like hot and cold, the sun and moon, masculine and feminine energies bring balance to the whole.  It is recognising that each member brings their own approach, their own set of values and beliefs.  It is through strong diversity with a united vision that magic can really happen. 

The courage to bring core values, our motivators, to the governance setting can really break down barriers and open new ways of achieving success.  The following excerpt from my 2015 International Women’s Day Speech sums it up:

“We need to celebrate this diversity between the sexes rather than trying to control and manipulate it to one’s own end. As a people, this is where our strength will come from; our unity and healing.  And we do live in a time where we need to heal; individually and collectively. We need to learn to forgive and make peace. We must be brave and expect better, want for more, fly the flag of freedom, respect, grace and prosperity. And it all starts with us … you and me.

Women, I believe, play a significant role in bringing about this change. Although often perceived as the physically weaker sex, we are strong of heart, carry great wisdom and can endure and grow from many trials and tribulations. So, I firmly believe in the power of unleashing women’s potential. I firmly believe that we have some way to go to achieve balance and that it will take a change of mind-set by both men and women.

I firmly believe that we need to do this – our world depends on it.  Equality or balance is the right thing, the only thing that will bring true prosperity to human kind.” 

​At the end of the day, it’s about respect, each of us recognising and valuing the strength and integrity of another. It is about truth and the responsibility each of us must take in walking our truth and holding ourselves accountable. But most importantly it is about aroha and the courage this brings. If we hold this at our heart, our actions, our decisions, should be ones that encompass all our people and our place. 

So, there is a lot of attention on Kaikohe at present – sadly, not for the right reasons.  It is my belief that this community, which is absolutely without doubt struggling, will shine again and become a beacon of hope. 

There are many remarkable people and organisations within Kaikohe focused on making a difference, which is and will create catalysts for positive change.  One excellent example is the Omapere Rangihamama Trust.  The trust is one of three finalists in the 2017 Maori Excellence in Farming Award (sheep and beef) for the Omapere Farm.  This is the 85th year the Ahuwhenua Trophy will be presented.  It is the most prestigious award for Maori agriculture, launched by Sir Apirana Ngata and the Governor General at the time, Lord Bledisloe.

I had the privilege of attending the Field Day last week and saw first-hand the mahi that is being undertaken, which has seen this beautiful farm grow from strength to strength. 

It has an interesting history. Up until the 1950s, the Omapere land had separate titles.  The size of the individual lots became uneconomic, so under the Maori Affairs Act 1953, the separate titles were amalgamated under one title, known as Omapere Taraire E and Rangihamama X3A Ahu Whenua Trust.  The land was then managed by the Department of Maori Affairs.  During the process, the Crown (through the Maori trustees) acquired a substantial holding (shares) in the Omapere block.

Under new leadership, from 2007 there has been a determined effort by the trustees and shareholders to buy back the shares, with the trust now owning over 54%, with an ongoing strategy to fully own all the shares in the not-to-distant future.  I also understand that when the new leadership took over, the farm was in substantial debt.  This was turned around within three years.  

The farm borders the only Maori - owned lake in Aotearoa, Lake Omapere.  This is considered a sacred site and a taonga tupuna in its own right.  Care of the environment is a major foundation for the trust’s strategy and reducing their environmental footprint is taken very seriously.  An example is the fencing of a significant buffer zone bordering the lake.  The Ahuwhenua Handbook quotes “the trust is a great model of whanau working collaboratively to gain maximum return from their land, but at the same time placing equal emphasis on preserving this taonga for future generations”. 

​When one considers that there is 18% freehold Maori land in the Far North (about 2,000 blocks), with less than 15% in production, the Omapere Rangihamama Trust is certainly demonstrating a top model for success.  And I know they want to share their journey – ‘if you can do it here you can do it anywhere.’  The award will be announced in Whangarei on 26 May.  Whatever the outcome, the trust should be very proud of their achievements to date.  They are already proving what can be achieved when good business and aroha for the tangata and whenua come together.

In 2015, the Far North District Council adopted the vision ‘He Whenua Rangatira – a District of Sustainable Prosperity and Well-being’.  This vision is supported by a set of key values and outlines expectations for 2050.
 
Over the past month, I have experienced and thus contemplated a number of issues and challenges; many of which have been present for a long while.  These include gender inequity, our ‘lost’ youth and - of course, at the heart of much of it - a deep-set anger - that is showing its ugly head more and more often.
 
Anger is often referred to as a secondary emotion; something we resort to if feeling vulnerable due to attack, disrespect, betrayal, loss, etc.  These words certainly go some way to identifying why we are where we are. 
 
I have wondered what it will take to truly realise the potential of our vision and the necessity of needing to achieve this for now and future generations.
 
I recognise that for this district, and the amazing and diverse communities within it, moving forward will continue to be a battle if we do not find common purpose, articulate it, believe in it and hold it at our heart.
 
Some will say that this is an impossible task.  I do not believe so.
 
I believe we are capable and we are extraordinary – each and every one of us.  I believe that we all have the capacity to forgive, to heal and to move forward in unity.  I believe that we all want our children to feel valued and to lead successful lives.
 
So, I have come to the realisation that the only way we may find common purpose is to firmly focus on our children. 
 
And this is where vision becomes important.  If we are to hold our children at the heart of our decision making, surely we would begin to make better decisions, better choices? And without this clarity of knowing where we are going, how will we choose which road to take?
 
 I recognise that vision is often seen as a fluffy word that struggles to find a place in our day to day lives.  I also recognise that many believe Council has some way to go
in delivering core infrastructure and this is what we need to concentrate on (and Council is).
 
Prudent decision-making around clear strategy to develop sound council infrastructure and facilities is a must in supporting this district to flourish.  However, I believe without clarity of purpose we will continue to wander and wonder. 
 
I am unashamedly big picture.  I hold a firm view that the Far North, the tail of the fish, can become a trail-blazer, to show the way a district can work together and realise its potential. 
 
We are all in this together.  We all want for better.  So, please, let’s take responsibility and all do our bit – for the sake of our children.

​The following speech was loosely given at a celebration of International Women's Day 2017 in Kaitaia.

So, I’m going to start with a bold statement:

If there were more women in key political positions, I do not believe the world would be in the state that it is in.

Now, I need to say at the onset that this is not a speech about which gender is better – what I firmly believe is – it’s about balance.

In my 2015 speech for International Women’s day I noted:  finding balance between the sexes….this to me means recognising and respecting what the opposites bring to the whole.  Whether it be masculine and feminine, night and day, hot and cold…

So, the theme this year is ‘Be Bold for Change’.  With a key goal to help forge a better working world – a more inclusive, gender equal world.

I have to say, politics is a great place to be if you want to drive change.

Today, I have been asked to speak on the pros and cons as a career of being a women in politics.

So here’s my personal perspective …I’m going to start with the cons – tougher but shorter list.
 
Professionally, I don’t think there are really any cons in having more women in political positions – in fact I absolutely encourage it as we are currently not well represented.
 
Here’s a few stats:

• In both 2013 and 16 – we have 13 women mayors out of a possible 67.
• Of the candidates that stood for the 2016 local elections, 31% were females
• Northland has excellent representation – 50/50 at Far North, 5 of 9 at Kaipara and Whangarei 8 out of 14, including the Mayor!  NRC has 2…
• Compared to 2 out of 14 in Hamilton and 4 out of 17 in Christchurch

As an aside, it is interesting to note that women who stand are more likely to be elected than their male counterparts.
 
Now on a personal level, it’s a bit of a different story. 
 
There is some juggling – in my case I have an almost six year old daughter, who I co-parent with her dad, having Jesse with me every second week.  So for that one week I am it – which means I need to work work around schooling and after school activities, and generally try and maintain a routine, in a work world where there is no real routine.  It has taken a bit of time to get this balance right, and I still don’t always.  Fortunately, I have a really strong bond with my girl and she seems to generally cope with the occasion meeting attendance.
 
Another con is that there aren’t many people I can confide in and it can feel a bit lonely at times.  There are many times when I have left meetings completely frustrated, however, it’s something you don’t tend to share (there are also many meetings where I leave feeling on a real high!). 
​
For one thing lots of people don’t get ‘my world’ or have a real perception of what’s involved and secondly, and more importantly, it’s just not professional or part of my make-up.
 
You learn to really value trust and this takes time to build, and at times doesn’t eventuate but that’s all part of growing wisdom and acting wisely.
 
Of course, one of the clearly perceived cons is being a woman in a man’s world.  And yes, as indicated earlier, nationally it is a heavily dominated male environment.  In fact, there is a saying within the industry – one that captures the reality, somewhat disrespectfully….male, stale, frail and pale…keeping in mind that it is the people of NZ that put them there.
 
Although I rarely come across it these days, there are many examples of women in politics (and many other lines of work) having to deal with inappropriate comments, undermining, suggestions, approaches that really are quite unacceptable.
 
I think it’s also important to recognise that there can be disharmony amongst women in politics as well.  I’m not going to go into that today.  I will say that I am honoured to work alongside the FNDC women, who I have an ever growing respect for.
 
Next there’s the issue of being taken seriously on a professional level.  It’s not something I tend to encounter around our council table, however, I am aware of numerous examples of women’s ideas and approaches being undermined in various ways. 
 
But lets be real here – this is not isolated to politics – this is quite universal.
 
So, although there are other cons, including the average pay, lets move on to the pros.  And reflect on the theme once more:
 
Be Bold for Change!
 
So if you really want to make a difference on a larger scale, politics is a really cool place to be.
 
For me personally, I decided to run for local government because on having worked within the council environment, I realised the only way to make real change was to get into a position of real influence.
 
I am a great fan of local government and in no way support it’s demise, however, I also recognise that Councils across NZ have been operating in pretty much the same fundamental ways for decades and I believe, we need to seriously review the way we do things. 
 
And now is the time.  We are on the cusp of change, and although still quite slow moving I am seeing changes in thinking and approaches.  On a world scale – something is going to give and this will have ramifications for us here in NZ.
 
And this is the power of being in politics.  On building credibility, you can have the ability to make a real difference in your community, your district, your region.  And sometimes this is as simple as bringing a voice to the unheard, supporting the seemingly forgotten or encouraging the game changers to continue to be magnificent.
 
On a larger scale, it is being able to influence direction, working alongside other game changers.
 
Women bring a unique approach to politics.  And I think what is really important is that more and more women can be ‘women’ in politics.  There was potentially a time that a women needed to behave more like a ‘man’ to make it in the industry.
 
Women tend to be less ego driven (but not always), which can get in the way of good decision making.  They generally have strong community empathy and are driven by different motivators to men.  Women can also be fiercely competitive but potentially for different reasons.
 
They are used to putting others before them and I believe, have a fair sense of equality and reason.  When going in to politics many women make huge sacrifices on their personal time and commitments.  So they don’t tend to undertake the journey unless they are passionately committed to their strong sense of value and understanding of what they believe will make the world a better place.  They are wives, partners, mothers, grandmothers, daughters – thus they have an invested interest in a better tomorrow…
 
And these are some of the reasons why I believe the world would be a different place if we had more women in power.
 
On a personal note, a real pro of being in local government is the satisfaction and sense of achievement that can come in seeing something come to fruition.  I have already sowed many seeds and I have seen some of those seeds grow strongly and although I don’t always get the recognition (which is okay), I know that I played a part in making a difference in a positive way.
 
Another pro for me personally, is the growth in self.  I am so not the person I was when I first became elected.  I am stronger, more resilient, have perspective and a clear understanding of my life purpose.  I can say I am a leader and actually believe it, because I know my motivations are in the right places.
 
That’s not to say I haven’t had challenges – oh my goodness no.  This last week alone has been a prime example.  But I am grateful for it.  As I have learned from the experience.  I have grown up in a very short space of time, and although a little bruised they will heal and set me in good stead for future confrontations.  Because, at the end of the day it’s not personal.  These people don’t ‘know’ me.
 
And if I plan to be Bold for Change – which I do, then I am bound to upset a few more people along the way.  Not intentionally of course.  My goal is always for the greater good.
 
I also want to add here, that I have chosen not to fight the ‘old school’ male approach to politics.  I just don’t see the value in it.  I have learnt that a ‘leopard generally doesn’t change ‘his’ spots’, so my approach is to lead by example, ignore the unnecessary comments (half the time they don’t even realise they are doing it – it is so ingrained) and simply be a professional.
 
I am also heartened by the many, many men in politics that are completely embracing of women and treat me as an equal.  And note, this is a two way thing.  I have to be responsible and accountable for my own actions.  As at the end of the day, my credibility comes from how I choose to interact and perform as an individual.
 
I realise that I can achieve far more by being professional, proactive, and fight the good fight rather than putting my energy into something that can only get me off side.  As one must never forget there is a game to be played, although I do my best not to play it.
 
That’s not to say I tolerate disrespect – sometimes I just choose to ignore it – well file it away anyway.
 
So to make it in this world of politics (and not become bitter, twisted and burnt out).  One must have a very strong sense of purpose – which must hold the community at its heart.  One needs to find balance and stand up for this balance – you are not owned by the district – you are a human being too.
 
One needs to have a strong but probably small network of confidants to support and encourage you. And you must build resilience, learn very much to choose your battles, and keep all things in perspective – hard that this can be at times.
 
But I think most importantly as a woman, one needs to embrace our femininity –as this is a real and tangible strength.  Because we women offer deep wisdom, strong character and an uncompromising sense of belief in our children, wanting a better world in a currently unbalanced one.
 
And thus, we need to support and encourage each other.  Recognise that we will not always agree but that we completely understand that at the heart of the matter is building a better tomorrow for our children’s children.  A legacy that we can be proud of, share in and celebrate.
 
Arohanui 

Click on this link to the McGuinness Institute blog for my presentation on the very real issue of Tackling Poverty.

​If you are anything like me, at this time of year you reflect on the year that’s been and thus start to focus on what success might look like for the year ahead.
 
One thing I know for sure, is that success for the Far North (as a whole and at a community level) will only be achieved by finding common purpose and then working together to achieve tangible outcomes. 
 
This doesn’t mean we have to agree on everything because we won’t.  But what we do need to do is find a way forward - find the common goal, together.  I believe this way needs to be fresh and will require some innovative and creative thinking – which we are all capable of. 
 
The Far North is brimming with potential and there is no real reason why we shouldn’t succeed – other than our perceived lack of belief in who we are and what we are capable of.  The only thing really holding us back is our limited thinking on what we can truly achieve. 
 
So our challenge, I believe, is to be truly brave and grow a really loud, proactive voice.  The reason is simple.  We deserve better.  Our children deserve better.  Our environment deserves better.
 
Our district vision He Whenua Rangatira – A District of Sustainable Prosperity and Well-being – provides a foundation for growing this voice.
 
I look forward to the year ahead – knowing it will be challenging.  I believe, however, that we are on the cusp of change – at a world level.  We simply cannot continue to carry on the way we are.  So I look forward to working with those of you that want to make a positive difference and encourage the rest of you to be all you can be.
 
Kia kaha.

Finding a balance to deliver appropriate services – to serve our district, while being mindful of people’s ability to pay their rates is important and difficult.

At the beginning of December, Council elect will come together to discuss our strategic approach for the next three years.
Part of this will entail a principled debate around the role our council plays within the district.  Yes, there is clear legislation around what we are to deliver.  However, I and many others, believe Local Government has a far wider role.  One being the role of advocacy, and being mindful of what we do and don’t support.  Recognising that the decisions we make today can and do influence the now and the future.

I believe that it is our role in this area - our place in encouraging social, cultural, environmental and economic well-being, ie, promoting a district of sustainable prosperity and well-being, that we can truly make some in-roads into a better tomorrow.
My point has always been that councils have no invested interest other than the well-being of the district.  And thus they are well placed to advocate on behalf of the people they serve.  And I believe the people desire this – more and more so.

They look to their leaders to have a position on things that are important to them – health, safety, education, environmental activity, etc.  They expect their leaders to be able to stand up and fight the good fight for the betterment of our people and our place.

So, one of the questions is, how do we keep things affordable and still manage to encourage the right type of development?  How do we service one of the biggest districts with a relatively small population and be fair and equitable?

It will be an interesting discussion and unlikely to be solved on the day – however, it will set some clear frameworks for moving forward and provide a great opportunity to develop some clarity around the role we wish to undertake, in serving this fabulous place.

My message will be that we must journey together as a district.  Wisely and with integrity.  Work alongside each other, share our knowledge, lift each other up…play to our strengths.

It is through unity, respect and a smart approach that the Far North will be it’s potential.
​
Keen to hear people’s thoughts.

​Talking to a young man, a cadet I was mentoring from this area, he once shared with me that they grew up washing and getting water from the nearby stream.  His comment was ‘I didn’t know I was poor – I had a great upbringing’.  He now has his own young family and is doing very well for himself.

My first observation - is what is it we are actually talking about today?  Is it tackling poverty – and all the definitions that currently come with this – or are we tackling the loss of hope, the lack of aspirations, the sense of not belonging, feeling no sense of value... that many of our people carry?

When we talk about poverty – I believe it is so much more than a material…physical ‘thing’.  It is addressing the poverty of the ‘soul’ that I believe truly lies at the core of the issue.

There are many examples of young people that have grown up in an environment of not having much in the way of material things, but have had great wealth in the fact that they have been loved and encouraged.  And although they may go without some ‘things’ they have experienced a rich environment in a real world. 

I would add that these upbringings often build our resilience, our adaptability, our gratitude and our character.  And it is this that often makes for a well balanced and productive member of society – a person that recognises self responsibility and the meaning of contribution.

So, my first challenge is to be mindful of the labels that we put on people.  Society currently has a habit of wanting to put people in boxes.  Oh she’s this, he’s that, what do you expect, look how they grew up….we live in a time of filling in forms, ticking boxes and meeting the criteria to assistance.

When we put negative labels on our children and this becomes hard-wired – by the age of seven I understand, we are almost setting them up for a life of whatever that label may be….and it can become bloody difficult to remove.

So as government organisations, I believe we need to be more mindful of our vocabulary and the words we use.  I recognise that there is ‘criteria’ and outcomes to meet, however, we are dealing with people and communities, and their uniqueness needs to be respected.

My second observation – the context in which government works in this arena - whether it be local or central (noting that central government works more in this social field) – is that our role, at the end of the day should be to serve and support our communities, our districts, our regions, our country.

If we hold this at the core of what we do, then it changes our approach, our way of working with communities.  It recognises that communities generally know what’s best for them and clearly goes against an often one size fits all policy or approach.
It’s not to say this is done without ‘goodwill’ but my experience is it is often done as a sticking plaster rather than having a holistic approach…Change can take time – particularly if we are trying to address ingrained beliefs.

So, my second challenge is how do we truly empower (and trust) our communities to take charge.  How do we break down this current thinking of ‘doing it to us’ rather than ‘doing it with us’?

From a community perspective, I believe it starts with self responsibility and then builds to community responsibility.  We need our community leaders to step up and we need to have the hard, the brave conversations.  There have been a lot of wrongs.  There is a lot of anger, disappointment, loss and despair– it goes back centuries.  I believe that until we address this, acknowledge that it is done – seek forgiveness and are able to heal and let go – to move on, we will continue to find ourselves in this cycle.

We also need to be mindful of the motivators and ensure the hard yards are undertaken to set activities up for success.  There are plenty of examples where ‘programmes’ have fallen short under community leadership.  And there are often many reasons for this.  However, things like ‘patch protection’, large egos and lack of collaboration should not be one of the reasons.

So, together, if government works alongside, in partnership, with our community leaders, support them with the tools, the resources, help enable them to make the stand, in their own way and their own time I think we will see inroads.

The Far North District Council in 2015 adopted the district vision – He Whenua Rangatira – A district of sustainable prosperity and well-being.  It is supported by six key values, including Family, community, connecting caring and nine key expectations for 2050 – including a great place for our families to flourish and happy, healthy, safe and purposeful people.

This vision was developed from the ground up, facilitated by council.  Over 2,000 people of the Far North contributed, from prisoners, to students to retired, to commercial operators.  One of the key aims is to articulate and celebrate our values as a district, strengthening our journey of who we are and where we want to go.

To achieve this vision we must come together.  Central government, local government, Iwi, Hapu, commercial, private, communities – we all have a role to play.

If we are to change our story - we must recognise that we are all in this together and that we have the power, collectively, to make a real difference now and into the future.

It starts with self, it starts with recognising our value, it starts with raising each other up, celebrating our diversity and not pulling each other down.

It starts with community and remembering what we are actually capable of.  That all parts make the whole – warts and all.
I will finish with another story…it’s a story about fleas…

A scientist took a group of fleas and placed them in a container.  He then placed a glass lid over the container.  As we all know, fleas are capable of jumping very high compared to their body size (18cm high).  At first the fleas hit the glass ceiling.  Over time they become conditioned and only jumped as high as the glass ceiling.  When the fleas were released they never again jumped as high as they were capable of.  The story goes that their offspring also never learnt to jump to their full capacity…

So humans aren’t fleas…the moral of the story of course, is in today’s society how many glass ceilings are place over us individually…collectively…
​
So tackling poverty…lets continue to break glass ceilings.

The above presentation was delivered at the Tackling Poverty NZ Kaikohe workshop - 15.9.2016.  It will form part of a National discussion.  http://tacklingpovertynz.org/