I have tertiary qualifications in science (BSc, majoring in chemistry), business studies (BBS, focus on resource economics) and law (LLB (Hons)), and a diploma in business studies (Dip Bus Studies – Dispute Resolution, focus on mediation)

I am an associate of the Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand (AMINZ)

I grew up on a mixed farm, mostly dairying with some sheep and beef. I still retain a large shareholding in the farm, in what has now become a family farming company, of which I am a director. The farm has a strong focus on sustainable agriculture, with about a third of the land being actively managed for conservation purposes.

After graduating from university I built a career centred around computing, operating mostly as a self-employed computer systems engineer, initially in New Zealand and later based in London, working on projects in the UK, Europe and Africa.

I returned to New Zealand in the early 1980’s and in the early 1990’s I started to actively pursue my interest in farming related public policy matters. In June 2000 I took up a part time position with Federated Farmers of New Zealand as its Auckland based policy analyst / advisor, and at the same time I started developing my career path towards law and policy and away from computing. In 2009 I formally commenced practicing law, winding up my computing business at the same time.