Growing up in rural Hawke’s Bay in a single-parent home in the 80s and 90s wasn’t always easy. Karl recalls the impact of Ruth Richardson's ‘mother of all budgets’ on his family and the questions it raised for him about the sort of society he wanted to live in.

Karl has built a career fighting for the most vulnerable families in our communities, in uniform, in youth justice, and in mental health. He knows what it means when the government cuts services, because he had to manage the consequences.

Before training in social work, Karl served as an Officer in the NZ Army.

He now has 23 years’ experience managing youth justice services, facilitating family group conferences, and as a residential social worker. Through this work, he has established strong connections with non-government organisations, local government, and iwi.

"I'm grateful for the privilege of working alongside Iwi, community and Māori organisations to establish early intervention and prevention programmes for young people at risk of entering the justice system.

"I believe the partnership model can work successfully beyond social services, through centrally supported but locally delivered services and solutions for all New Zealanders.

Karl is a proud husband and father of five, living in the Manawatū with his family on a lifestyle block. He has supported his community as a volunteer firefighter and has served as a Trustee on a school board. He understands the needs of the communities of Rangitīkei from the ground up, not from a policy document.

Karl is a life-long learner with a degree in Psychology, an Applied Master's in Social Work and recently, whilst working full-time, completed an Executive MBA.