About Justin
Why I stood to be on Wellington City Council?
First and foremost I wanted to ensure that the Council fully supports the development of Johnsonville Mall, investment in the existing Newlands and Tawa shopping centres, and preserves the heritage and natural beauty in Glenside and Takapu. Churton Park also requires greater investment in its community facilities and I'm committed to seeing this happen.
On a whole, I want to see Wellington compete internationally and nationally to attract people and businesses to the city. I have executive management experience in the private and public sectors, in New Zealand and abroad, own and help run my own business. I've travelled and have noted along the way what makes a great city. Most importantly, I'm a doer. I want to help make Wellington the best little city in the world and want to help achieve this.
Some of my past experience includes:
Childhood
I grew up in Invercargill with my mum and two brothers. Like most Southland lads I was pretty keen on sport and played soccer, tennis, cricket. I was lucky enough to receive an AFS financial hardship scholarship and spent my seventh form year in a small German village near Berlin. The experience opened my eyes and provided me with a fierce sense of pride for New Zealand and allowed me to recognise we have a unique home that is beautiful, safe and the envy of many.
Education
I studied Law and German at the University of Otago and a Masters of Law at the University of Heidelberg in Germany.
Business
Morning paper rounds and supporting myself financially from an early age cultivated a keen sense of entrepreneurialism that continues today. Although we had little hospitality experience at the time, a friend and I set up Kapai. The values behind Kapai reflect my own, a distinctly New Zealand theme, providing healthy eating options, sustainable environmental practices and contributing back to the local Wellington community. It also showed me that you can achieve most things if you're prepared to work for it. I'm a big supporter of Wellington owned and Wellington based businesses and will do all I can to encourage innovative business to our city.
Family
I'm married to Elizabeth and we had our first baby girl in July 2010. She's a delightful wee bundle called Madeleine.
First and foremost I wanted to ensure that the Council fully supports the development of Johnsonville Mall, investment in the existing Newlands and Tawa shopping centres, and preserves the heritage and natural beauty in Glenside and Takapu. Churton Park also requires greater investment in its community facilities and I'm committed to seeing this happen.
On a whole, I want to see Wellington compete internationally and nationally to attract people and businesses to the city. I have executive management experience in the private and public sectors, in New Zealand and abroad, own and help run my own business. I've travelled and have noted along the way what makes a great city. Most importantly, I'm a doer. I want to help make Wellington the best little city in the world and want to help achieve this.
Some of my past experience includes:
- Establishing my own business Kapai (www.kapainewzealand.co.nz)
- A Board Member of Capital Football, Wellington football’s governing body
- A Director at Wellington commercial property firm Jones Lang LaSalle
- Executive member of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Property Council
- Founding committee member of Wellington Young Professionals
- Married for five years with one baby girl called Madeleine
- Speak German and conversational Japanese
Childhood
I grew up in Invercargill with my mum and two brothers. Like most Southland lads I was pretty keen on sport and played soccer, tennis, cricket. I was lucky enough to receive an AFS financial hardship scholarship and spent my seventh form year in a small German village near Berlin. The experience opened my eyes and provided me with a fierce sense of pride for New Zealand and allowed me to recognise we have a unique home that is beautiful, safe and the envy of many.
Education
I studied Law and German at the University of Otago and a Masters of Law at the University of Heidelberg in Germany.
Business
Morning paper rounds and supporting myself financially from an early age cultivated a keen sense of entrepreneurialism that continues today. Although we had little hospitality experience at the time, a friend and I set up Kapai. The values behind Kapai reflect my own, a distinctly New Zealand theme, providing healthy eating options, sustainable environmental practices and contributing back to the local Wellington community. It also showed me that you can achieve most things if you're prepared to work for it. I'm a big supporter of Wellington owned and Wellington based businesses and will do all I can to encourage innovative business to our city.
Family
I'm married to Elizabeth and we had our first baby girl in July 2010. She's a delightful wee bundle called Madeleine.
