FAMILY CONNECTIONS: John’s extended family have lived in the area their whole lives – Campbells Bay, Torbay and Long Bay – his daughter attended Long Bay College and his wife and her family, Rangitoto College. John was Head Boy of Westlake Boys High. He has a generational association with this part of the ward.

EDUCATION AND WORK: Attended Auckland University, graduated with an M.A (Hons) in History. Head Boy of Westlake Boys High School. Taught at a number of secondary schools on the North Shore – teacher of English and History, Dean of Forms 3-7, Outdoor Education Co-ordinator, Project ‘K’ Director, Liberal Studies Director, coach of youth teams in rugby, cricket, rugby league and basketball.

SPORTING CONNECTIONS: Played for a number of sporting clubs on the North Shore – Northcote and Glenfield Rugby Clubs, Birkenhead and Grafton Cricket Clubs, captain of the Northcote Tigers Rugby League Club and the Hibiscus Coast Cricket Club.

AWARDS: Awarded two Royal Society of NZ Teachers Fellowships, one in 2002 to write the true story of an RAF bomber crew from WWII and one in 2010 to produce a written and oral history of Whangaparaoa.

COMMUNITY: President of the WRRA, Trustee of Whangaparaoa Community Trust, Rodney District Councillor, Hibiscus & Bays local board member.

AUCKLAND COUNCIL: Member of Finance, Planning and Environment Committees. Also Civil Defence and Community Safety Committees. “John’s reputation in council is for ‘keeping them honest’, going in hard for his community, holding the mayor and CCOs to account and fighting hard to secure important transport and community improvements for this area.”