Each candidate has provided their information which is posted without alteration - as is.
Anne Cao-Oulton
Statement of Intent:
I’m standing for Waikato District Council because I care deeply about our community’s future. I will act on your concerns. As a resident of Matangi for nine years I’ve actively served on both the Tamahere and Matangi Community Committees, and have experience as a board member and company director. I’m as passionate about good governance as any local backing the Chiefs.
I will stand up for our ratepayers.
I hold a master’s in management, majoring in International Business and am a business consultant. I bring a wide experience across tourism, events, and international education to this role.
I’ve been a journalist and professional basketball player, and am bilingual in Chinese and English. I’ve successfully managed multicultural teams and proudly promoted our ward through our Waikato Cherry Blossom Festival.
I believe change is required if we are to stop the runaway train that is rates. The overzealous regulatory function of local government, which I have personal experience of, needs to be reassessed.
We need prioritise essential services and bring energy, transparency, and accountability to Council.
Curriculum Vitae – Anne Cao-Oulton
Personal Details Residency Status: New Zealander, Nationality: Chinese, Language: Mandarin and English
Email:Anne@AnneCaoOulton.com
Professional Memberships:
New Zealand Asian Leaders, 2015- 2020
Summary of key skills:
A highly-motivated professional person with entrepreneurial, managing and decision-making experience. Strategic planning and organisational development skills. I am committed to growing business through best practice management.
With a strong background in New Zealand and China, Deep understanding of both New Zealand and Asian culture especially Chinese, which enables effective communication and marketing in these cultures.
Over the last 20 years, working in a widerange of industries, particularly media, education, sport and tourism.
Working experience and Career Summary
Founder at Red Bridge Consulting, New Zealand, 2011 - Present
Red Bridge Consulting provides an advisory service to assist New Zealand organisations develop new business in China. Assists clients to achieve success in business, crossing the cultural divide between New Zealand and China.
Managing and organising the NZ Cherry Blossom Festival (2017-2018)
Working with different companies to assistant them to understand and develop their Chinese market and solve their issues. Exporting New Zealand product to China.
Represent New Zealand schools and organisations to develop their Chinese market, recruiting Chinese student to NZ.
Managing and hosting Chinese students study tour groups in New Zealand.
In Woman Minister’s appointed nominee pool, would be the chosen for candidates of board member in New Zealand.
Short list for Board member of Education New Zealand 2021.
Involved with projects in the film industry for Asian and other markets:Assist parties to understand different cultures and smooth out the interaction between them.
Work with the management teams to sort out issues between the teams (renegotiating the budget with overseas teams), and ensure the daily shooting runs smoothly.
Promote the New Zealand film industry as a shooting destination.
Manager at Fantess Limited, Hamilton, New Zealand, 2020-present: Managing and organising the NZ Cherry Blossom Festival (2020-2023) ; Managing the accommodation at English Cherry Tree Manor.Managing the NZ Cherry Blossom Festival, make sure the festival run smoothly.
Organise over 20 teams for multicultural performances for the festival, recruiting and managing over 50 staff team and suppliers.Invite and liaise with dignitaries to the festival including Hamilton mayors, Deputy Ambassador of Japan, Queen of Cook Island, Waikato MPs, Councillors and community leaders. The festival hosts over 30,000 people from all of New Zealand and overseas.Manage the booking and guests staying from all over the world.
Director at NZ PURE TOUR Limited, Hamilton, New Zealand, 2017- 2019
NZ PURE TOUR is a tourism company offering people from overseas an experience of New Zealand lifestyle. It offers accommodation at beautiful rural properties close to towns. It runs specialist interest tours such as House & Garden, Foodie, Cycling tour.
News Director and Board member at Beyond International Media Holding Group Limited, Auckland, New Zealand, 2015-2017
Beyond International Media Holding Group Limited represents People’s Daily Overseas Edition New Zealand Channel and provides New Zealand news for the local and mainland Chinese community.Set up strategy for company development.Managed the news team and wrote key articles.
Business development Manager, 99 Plus One Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand, 2009 -2010
Responsibilities: Imported products from overseas and sell into the local market.Created business development planning and strategies to build the market in Asian Pacific countries.Implemented marketing and sales research to develop new local and international markets.Supported the development of business and communication management with overseas companies.Advised on cultural interaction and managing client relations.
Sales/ Marketing, Seven Seas Worldwide, Auckland, New Zealand, 2009 Responsibilities: Managed customer relationships.
Administration Coordinator, New Zealand College of Chinese Medicine, 2008 - 2009 Responsibilities: Managed Studylink and Public Trust accounts for domestic and international students and kept records.
Basketball Coach (part-time), Youthtown, Auckland, 2007 Responsibilities: Coached basketball at local schools.
Project, Sales and Marketing Manager, Tinghua Tongfang Computer Co. Ltd (A publicly listed company in China), Beijing, China, 2001 – 2003 Responsibilities: Developed new customer and business partnerships to provide on-line training.Achieved building up online system of checking out exam result for university entrance, the ministry education of China still uses the system now.Provided leadership and monitoring of ten agencies.Developed local agency strategies to explore local markets.
Journalist/Editor, Life Times, Guangming Daily News Group (the second biggest media group in China ), Beijing, China,1998 – 2000 Responsibilities: Interviewed conference attendees, speakers and experts in the education sector.Reported, researched and edited articles.Prepared and developed new topics.
Teacher/Events Manager, No. 7 secondary school 1992-1997 Responsibilities: Taught physical education at school and in charge of a school event of 1200 students ( Won the best event manager in Xicheng District).
Professional Basketball Player, Huochetou Professional Physical Training Institute 1987 - 1988
Achievements:
Recruited at age 15.Contributed to our team achieving a good place in the national division ( Represent Southern Island for the national tournament. Awarded University top class scholarship.
Qualifications
Masters of Management, International Business, Massey University, New Zealand, 2005-2007. Postgraduate Diploma, Education Management, University of Science and Technology of Beijing, China, 1995-1997 Bachelor’s degree, Physical Education Teaching, Xi'an Institute of Physical Education, 1988-1992
Community service / volunteer service
Tamahere community committee member 2020-present. Matangi community committee member 2022-present.
Vice Chairman of New Zealand Overseas Chinese Woman Association 2018.Business Mentor of Business Mentor New Zealand 2011-present.
Committee member of UN Women Aotearoa Auckland 2015-2016.
Member of the Auckland Executive club 2011-2016.
Auckland Alumni Chapter Committee member of Massey University, organising and coordinating chapter events in the Auckland region, 2008 - 2014.
Global Friends Group volunteer, working with migrants, 2010.
Vice president Public Relations at Glenfield Toastmasters: coordinated an active public relations and publicity programme, 2006- 2009.
A Member of New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Council, treasurer of the North Shore Council, assisting women and migrants to settle in New Zealand, and building local community developments, 2009 - 2016.
A member of Southland Multi-Nations Council, assisting newcomers to settle in and local community development, 2003-2005.
New Zealand Regional Basketball Representative, Southland Team 2004.
Committee Member of the Chinese Association: Planning and organising social activities for local Chinese, teaching Mandarin and coaching basketball in the local community, Invercargill, 2004.Translating Chinese into English and English into Chinese.
Manifesto
Reducing rates
With the current economy, life is not easy for households, but rates increases have exceeded 19%, and have approached 40% for households subject to targeted water and wastewater charges. We have to reduce the rates.
Prioritising Essential Services
We need to focus on the basic needs of our community’s daily life. Water, wastewater and infrastructure should be the council’s priority.
Strong Local Business
We are living in interesting times with rapid advances in technology and increasing international turbulence. Being a small country, we need to adapt quickly. We have advantages to attract the best overseas talent and business. In addition, we can create a special business zone as done by Singapore and China to create world-beating companies.
Inclusivity
I stand for equality of opportunity for all, regardless of race, colour, or creed. I will ensure Council decision-making reflects the diverse voices of our growing district.
Debt Responsibility
I will push for a Council-wide Debt Reduction Programme tied to the WDC’s Long Term Plan and our Community Blueprint. With 5–20 year targets, this initiative will prevent today’s debt from becoming tomorrow’s burden. I will prioritise financial discipline, transparent forecasting, and intergenerational fairness, ensuring future residents inherit opportunity not liability.
Email Address : Anne@AnneCaoOulton.com
