Debbie Beadle is happy living the dream in Kaikohe

Debbie Beadle

Lifelong Kaikohe/Ngawha Springs resident Debbie Beadle was on holiday across the Tasman when she heard that no one had been nominated for the upcoming Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board by-election. After a discussion with her husband and sister, who were with her in Sydney, and emails back and forth to New Zealand, she decided to put her name forward.

She landed in Auckland on the day nominations closed and drove to Kaikohe in time to hand in her nomination papers. In the end seven people put their hands up for the by-election but Debbie won by a healthy margin. Debbie is a contract photographer for the Northland Age and drives a tow truck in the business she co-owns with her husband. She also runs a business retouching old photos.

1. Describe yourself in three words.

Local, caring, dedicated.

2. What is the most important advice you have been given?

Always be honest.

3. What album is playing on your stereo at the moment?

Neil Diamond. Normally it's anything from the 60s and 70s. That shows my age!

4. What's your favourite thing about Kaikohe?

Kaikohe has a heart called community.

5. What is the one thing you could not live without each day?

My family, my V8 Commodore, a cup of good coffee and a great place to live.

6. Tell us something that most people don't know about you.

When I was growing up my sister and I had 13 horses, which arrived one day after my grandfather went to one of the local stock sales. We ran horses treks on the family farm at Ngawha Springs for a number of years (along with selling field mushrooms, plums and a raft of other things) to raise pocket money for ourselves. We had an awesome upbringing and a great childhood, learning respect and values.

7. As a child, who or what did you want to be when you grew up?

A farmer, because it's a good lifestyle.

8. When you're unwinding after a big week, where would we most likely find you?

Behind our locked gates spending time with my family.

9. What would you describe as the highlight of your career to date?

Communicating with the community and preserving and sharing the history of our awesome area.

10. Who is the Northlander you most admire, and why?

My husband Tony Taylor, because he is community based and supports me in what ever decision I make.