Launched in 2021, Animals Aotearoa is a registered charity working to end the suffering of farmed animals in Aotearoa, focusing on chickens bred for meat. As co-founder and Executive Director of Animals Aotearoa, I work with the Board and Campaign Director to set the strategic direction of the organisation. What most people don’t realise is that not all chickens raised for meat are the same. Here in New Zealand, the chickens raised commercially for meat, including free range, have been selectively bred to grow abnormally fast. These breeds of chickens grow so big and so fast that many suffer chronic pain and lameness. Some can’t lift their bodies up off the floor to reach food or water. Others struggle to breathe or suffer organ failure within weeks of being hatched. All because they’ve been bred to grow faster than nature intended.As well as exposing the suffering inherent in the rearing of chickens for meat, we work with progressive food businesses to future proof their ESG with improved chicken welfare policies by aligning with the Australia-New Zealand Better Chicken Commitment throughout their supply chain. We know that caring Kiwis don't tolerate animal suffering and together we are creating a life worth living for chickens.

Managed the cage-free corporate campaigner for two years, which resulted in all major supermarket chains and 90 food suppliers committing to phase-out cage eggs by 2027. The impact of this commitment is significant, equating to improving the lives of more than 1.4 million hens.Planned and executed exposés including on chickens bred for meat, a dairy farmer bashing cows, colony cages for layer hens and New Zealand’s biggest feedlot. Built on the existing network of contacts to facilitate cooperation and information-sharing between SAFE and other animal organisations, both in New Zealand and overseas. Initiated and managed a joint campaign between SAFE and the NZ Anti-Vivisection Society on a campaign to end the Forced Swim Test.Supported ‘grassroots’ campaigners on live export, intensive winter grazing, rodeo, horse and greyhound racing.Invited on to the Open Wing Alliance Advisory Committee in January 2020.Part of SAFE Senior Management Team, responsible for setting, overseeing and implementing the campaigns strategic direction, along with campaigns communications.Wrote media releases and acted as the main spokesperson for SAFE on TV, radio and in print. Planned general content for social media platforms, worked with graphic designers to create graphics, and moderated engagement. Wrote articles, and edited and proof-read colleagues’ documents. Researched and wrote a messaging document for SAFE staff to up-skill them in effective communication, which was shared by the Open Wing Alliance on their resources website.Ran training workshops both in-house and at animal activist conferences on communication, public speaking and persuasion skills. Volunteer management and training.

Filled the role of Head of Campaigns while my colleague was on secondment in the UK.

Neuromuscular Massage Therapist, specialising in treating headaches and Occupational Overuse.Mind Coach working with NLP, hypnotherapy and mBraining to help people make positive changes in how they think, feel and behave.

• Working with the volunteer Executive Committee and membership.• Dealing with media enquiries and organizing advertising in publications. • Developing membership benefits and promotion of the massage industry.

• Youth counsellor for eight to 18-year olds. • Completed training as a youth counsellor. • Successfully handled two suicide calls on first shift.