Out & about across the Taupō region
Photo journal of the things I'm involved with - follow along with me.
May 2026. Spent time up at Tauhara College supporting #YouthWeek with the council team who were out and about this week. An opportunity to speak with our future leaders, for students to ask questions about how our district is run and to encourage those eligible to enrol to vote in the upcoming central government election.
May 2026. The Mayor and I attended a Civil Defence induction day at the Waikato Emergency Management Control Centre in Hamilton. As Taupō District’s Civil Defence lead councillor, I play an important role in helping ensure our district is prepared and connected during emergencies and major events. A valuable day learning more about regional coordination, emergency response, and the systems in place to support our communities when needed most.
May 2026. I attended the opening of the Search and Rescue Services Centre of Excellence on Miro Street. Search and Rescue Services is the emergency air ambulance service provider for central New Zealand, operating from eight bases across the North Island with more than 150 pilots, critical care paramedics, air crew officers, and support staff on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
May 2026. I was honoured to host the Kahui Pakeke (the Taupō Kaumatua Group) on our maunga when they visited to ride the Sky Waka at Whakapapa Ski Area.
April 2026. With our Mayor and Mayor Weston Kirton when the Tourism New Zealand board visited Taupō for their AGM and to take in the beauty and adventure our region offers.
April 2026. Having a major event like the Supercars in Taupo is a massive opportunity to showcase our region on a global stage. Being a motorsport fan myself, it was a bonus to be a guest in pit lane. Shortly after this photo I was called to duty as part of the Taupo Civil Defence team to be on the ground working through the response to the state of emergency for Cyclone Vaianu.
Feb 2026. Out at He Ahi Eco Business Park where we had the opportunity to learn more about the innovative geothermal projects being undertaken in our region. Thank you to Greg Stebbing of Te Pae o Waimihia for hosting us.
Jan 2026. Was great to get out and meet our local community and to be able to answer questions as a part of the councillor connect engagement forums. Here with Deputy Mayor Kevin and some of our council staff.
Dec 2025. A guest at the Love Taupō awards where it was an honour to accept alongside, some of my colleagues from Whakapapa Ski Area, the 'Evollution Award' which recognised our hard survival work to keep Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ltd alive and to transition new ownership of Whakapapa Holdings Ltd.
Dec 2025. Was lucky enough to be part of an engineering inspection party and toured the Grand old lady - The Chateau Tongariro Happy to report that DOC has been maintaining well and she's in pretty good shape still. This is the one of most iconic pieces of NZ tourism infrastructure and it would be great to have up and running again.
Nov 2025. An emotional experience at the blessing and reopening of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing after the devastating fire in Tongariro National Park supporting our Ngati Hikairo hapu and alongside some of my whanau from Kauriki.
Nov 2025. Took part in the iconic Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge alongside my youngest daughter in the 'Lakesider'. We both loved it! This is a major event on the Taupō calendar and contributes massively to our local tourism, economy and community - and it's not long before it will hit it's 50th Anniversary!
It's official!