Who's Involved

I have been the Chair of the Community Wellbeing Fund since 2022. I have lived and worked in the Invercargill community for many years. My family live here and I love this community. I am passionate about supporting people to work together to provide as many opportunities as possible for all.

He uri au nō Kai Tahu, Kati Māmoe me Waitaha hoki No Waihopai āhau Ko Andrea de Vries tōku ingoa. 

I am a fiercely proud Southlander, with deep roots connecting me to this place and the people that live here. I love being involved in the Murihiku community and keeping up to date with regional projects and events. I strongly believe in people before process and that relationships and social outcomes are where value for money lies. 

I love to hear about the creative ways that our people can offer the community through events and projects and find my role on the Subcommittee very interesting. There are so many issues facing our world, our country and our region so being a part of a committee that contributes to the 4 wellbeing pou and enable the community to drive better outcomes boosts te taha wairua (spiritual wellbeing) for me.  

I am a proud Southlander, having grown up in Five Rivers and lived in Invercargill since 1998. I have a wife who is a talented artist and two daughters.

Through my role at Active Southland, I have an understanding of the need for a strategic approach to funding to ensure the best use of resources. I also have a deep appreciation for an equity lens to be placed across all decision making and the vital role that community engagement plays in this.

I believe strongly in the potential of the Invercargill and Bluff Community and am excited to play a role in supporting the creation of even greater opportunities as a member of the Community Wellbeing Fund Subcommittee.

I am deeply passionate about politics and community involvement, inspiring me to join the Invercargill City Youth Council. This role, along with being a youth representative for The Y, has given me valuable opportunities to engage with the community. Outside of this, I love mountain biking and skiing and hope to see Invercargill recognized as a mountain biking destination. 

On the fund subcommittee, I enjoy working with others who want to see Invercargill grow, like seeing groups put on amazing events, do work with their communities and look after Invercargill.