Introductions
From:
Megan Woods
Date:
2007 Jul 23 12:00 UTC
Short link
Hi everybody,
Thanks to Dan and the team for the opportunity to be guest speaker this week on
the forum. I am looking forward to discussing and debating a range of issues
with you over the coming days.
Congratulations to all those involved in getting this forum up and running. It
is an asset to the city and the region and can only serve to add to local
democracy.
I will deal with issues under specific headings - but firstly some basic facts
about me.
I was born raised and educated in Christchurch. As an adult, I have chosen to
stay and make my life in my hometown and am passionate about our city. After
completing a doctorate at the University of Canterbury in 2002, I briefly
lectured New Zealand political and social history at Canterbury and Victoria
Universities. From here, I took up a position with a local high-tech company
commercialising technology which had been developed here in Christchurch. In
this role I learnt much about the challenges facing small companies and
developed hands-on business experience. In my current role, as a Business
Manager at Crop & Food Research, I have strengthened my business skills and
deepened my appreciation of the value that research, science and technology can
add to local economies. Motivated by a desire for ordinary people to have a
real say in the decisions affecting their lives and the future of our city, I
ran for and was elected to the Spreydon Heathcote Community Board in 2004. I
live in Spreydon with my partner Michael and my 12 year old step-daughter.
.