Wairarapa Labour Candidate - Denise MacKenzie

The Labour candidate for the Wairarapa for the 2005 general election is Denise MacKenzie.

Announcing the candidacy today Labour Party President Mike Williams said that there were three top candidates making themselves available for selection but Denise Mackenzie stood out.

“It is important to have a candidate of Ms MacKenzies capabilities to keep driving the Labour Governments’ initiatives in the greater Wairarapa Region,” Mr Williams said. “There is the new hospital, education and training projects and the $26 million upgrade of the Wairarapa rail-link.

“In addition there is the delivery of broadband to all schools in the area plus the vast majority of local homes. That will help bring the area into the electronic age.”

Denise Mackenzie is a South Wairarapa special-needs teacher with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

She describes herself as loyal and committed and with a strong work ethic.

“I am totally committed to the Wairarapa electorate,” Ms MacKenzie said. “If elected my priorities will be to work with the Minister of Health to ensure our hospital goes according to plan and becomes a major asset for the region. In addition I want the strongest voice in Wellington for the issues facing education in the local area.

“Finally I would like to support the minister of Trade in his endeavours to ensure the continual well-being for the rural province that is the Wairarapa electorate,” said Ms MacKenzie

Personal Philosophy Loyalty, commitment and a determined work ethic are what I live by. There are few short cuts. I believe most achievements for ourselves and others are the result of patience and hard work. I want to work hard for the people of the Wairarapa and the NZ Labour Party.

Issues around equity are important. The playing field is rarely level and the achievers in our society have a role in helping others who have less advantage to live full and happy lives. Success does not have to result in selfishness or the promotion of self-interest.

I have a strong commitment to team work and believe that as a community we should work collaboratively and collectively to make things better. By listening and understanding another’s point of view, and presenting our own well supported position, we can often reconcile conflict and all achieve success.

Education is the key to success and everyone is entitled to receive quality learning experiences. I believe that I have the right education and background to represent the people of this electorate.

Labour Party Involvement Member of Wairarapa LEC for last 3 years and current Chairperson. Stood as Labour List candidate in 2002 election, campaigned in Wairarapa alongside Georgina Beyer and in Kaikoura with Brendon Burns. Member of Education and Housing Policy Committee 2002- Member of Rural Affairs Sector Council 2003 - and current secretary.

Union Involvement An active member of NZEI Te Riu Roa. Served as branch chairperson for 4 years and as a counsellor for the last 9 years. Currently Vice-Chair of Wellington District Council. Served on the National Executive representing the Wellington/Wairarapa region for the Resource Teachers Learning and Behaviour Association for 4 years.

Qualifications BA from Canterbury, a Diploma in Teaching (Ch Ch) and a post-graduate Diploma in Education Studies (Victoria).

Professional Currently a Resource Teacher Learning and Behaviour itinerating around fifteen schools (primary and secondary) in the South Wairarapa working with teachers who have students with learning and/or behaviour difficulties. Taught in primary and secondary schools in Canterbury and Wairarapa over the last 32 years mostly in the area of special needs. Secondary school Careers Advisor for 4 years. Member of an original stakeholders reference group for MoE initiative to improve educational outcomes for Maori called Whakaaro Matauranga. Delivered KiwiHost courses to mainly hospitality businesses in Wairarapa. Been active as a worker in various farming operations for 22 years in Canterbury and Wairarapa.

Community Involvement Member of the Southern Wairarapa Safer Community Council and also on the District Truancy committee. On management committee for the Strengthening Families initiative for the Wairarapa region. Part of the implementation group for Violence Free Wairarapa. Served for six years on the council of the Wairarapa Community Polytechnic 1993-1999. Involved with setting up a rural network for women in the Wairarapa. Member of Martinborough Tennis Club as tournament organiser.

Personal Married to Dougal (an ex farmer now real estate franchise holder) for 33 years. Lived and worked on farms in Canterbury and the Wairarapa as employees and as owners. Now live on lifestyle property in South Wairarapa mostly planted in native and exotic trees. Have two sons, Scott 30 years living in Masterton and working around the Wairarapa as a silviculturalist and Callum 27 years currently living and working in Brisbane. Proud grandmother of Jemma Leah MacKenzie born 27/6/04.

Interests Gardening, farm forestry, conservation, tramping, tennis, people and family.

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