I’m seeking re-election to serve your interests on Council. I bring the experience, energy and commitment you need in a fast-changing environment, with more local government reform ahead.
I’ve lived in Tamahere-Woodlands for 24 years, raised a family here, and I’m keen to continue using my business experience and advocacy skills to provide you with strong, effective representation.
As a business communications professional I stand for transparent decision-making, prudent financial management, and good community outcomes.
As deputy chair, Policy and Regulatory, I’ve developed a respected voice on Council. I value working with Community groups to advance local aspirations; and volunteer at St Stephen’s Tamahere, home of the Tamahere Country Market.
My past governance experience includes 6 years on the Waikato DHB. I’m a member of the Institute of Directors, an RMA Hearings Commissioner, and Life Member of Diabetes Youth NZ. I have an MA (Hons) and PGDipMgmt (Distinction). See www.crystalbeavis.com.
Curriculum Vitae
I have 12 years’ governance experience on public boards and in local government, most recently serving for a term as a Waikato District Councillor representing the Tamahere-Woodlands Ward, and taking responsibility as deputy chair of the Policy & Regulatory Committee.
I have previously served on the Waikato District Health Board, and, before that, the Auckland District Health Board. I was a committee chair for the Waikato DHB through two terms, first chairing the Disability Support Advisory Committee and, later, the CEO Performance Review Committee.
I am an award-winning communications and marketing professional, with extensive experience in all facets of strategic communications, reputation management and stakeholder engagement, and advising managers at Senior Leadership Team level in both the public and private sectors.
Drawing on my expertise in strategic communications and engagement, I have led a national patient support organisation (Diabetes Youth NZ), and I have helped establish and direct two consultancy businesses at different times, one in marketing and management (Bridger Beavis & Associates BBA Ltd), and one providing specialist advice in street lighting (Strategic Lighting Partners Ltd).
I re-established BBA Ltd in Hamilton after originally setting up the consultancy in Auckland serving clients for seven years in the electricity, local government, and financial advisory fields.
I have in the past worked as an employee and, more recently, as a consultant to the Waikato District Council to advise on a range of local government communications and stakeholder engagement initiatives, giving me good insight into Council processes.
I have also held employed positions in the tertiary education, research and health sectors, including senior roles with Waikato University and with the Researched Medicines Industry, now Medicines NZ.
I am used to working collaboratively to find solutions to business challenges in both commercial and charitable endeavours. For example, I gained support from both medical and pharmaceutical interests when I led the Diabetes Youth NZ (DYNZ) submission and presentation to the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification, and later, as DYNZ President (and now a life member) I gathered support for negotiations to affiliate with Diabetes NZ.
I started my early career as a business journalist with the New Zealand Herald and National Business Review. My qualifications include an MA (Hons) in Politics from Auckland University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies (with Distinction) from Waikato University. I am also a qualified RMA commissioner, and I have Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) through the Public Relations Institute of NZ. I am a member of the Institute of Directors New Zealand.
GOVERNANCE EXPERIENCE:
1990–present: Director, Bridger Beavis & Associates Ltd (since 1990), and Strategic Lighting Partners Ltd (since 2013)
2013-2019: Elected member, Waikato District Health Board (DHB). Chaired two committees; contributed to Board vision and strategy refresh; helped implement a process that allowed us to part ways with a CEO, then asked to chair the CEO Performance Review Committee and led the development of new CEO KPIs.
2005–2008: Chair/member, Waikato Local Diabetes Team, DHB diabetes advisory group
2001–2004: Elected member, Auckland District Health Board. Oversaw merger of Auckland, Greenlane, National Women’s hospitals
2001-2004: Appointee, National Diabetes Working Group advising the Ministry of Health
2000-2005: Vice-President, then President, Diabetes Youth NZ. Led the DYNZ submission to the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification (2000), led early negotiations to affiliate with Diabetes NZ
CONSULTANCY EXPERIENCE
Director, Bridger Beavis & Associates Ltd. Led key projects including:
Stakeholder communications for the Waikato District Health Board’s COVID-19 Directorate working with primary health providers during a time of rapid change.
Managing a revision of key strategic documents (Scope of Practice, Code of Ethics, Registration Competencies) for the Occupational Therapy Board of NZ, a statutory board.
Communications for the Waikato District Council focussed on its Proposed District Plan and its Annual Report 2020/2021.
Director, Strategic Lighting Partners (SLP). Led key projects including:
Helping launch two international road lighting conferences to establish SLP in the market and to win increased government support for LED road lighting.
Developing company and conference branding and all marketing materials to help attract about $150,000 partnership and sponsorship support for each conference.
The conferences attracted more than 200 attendees each, establishing SLP as a business and winning a Public Relations Institute of NZ Award.
EDUCATION
MA (Hons) in Politics, University of Auckland, 1985.
Post-Graduate Diploma in Management Studies (Distinction), University of Waikato, 2016.
Company Directors’ Course, Institute of Directors NZ, May 2019.
Certified RMA Commissioner, May 2023.
APR Accredited in Public Relations, Public Relations Institute of NZ, 1994.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
2019–22: Member, Matangi Community Committee
2009-11, 2021 –23: Vestry member and People’s Warden, later Vicar’s Warden, at St Stephen’s Anglican Church, Tamahere.
2012-13: President, Awatere Club, Hamilton
2009-2013: Table Tennis organiser, Hillcrest High School, managing all teams’ selection, coaching and parent managers, national tournament entry and travel.
1998–present: Life Member, Diabetes Youth NZ since 2007; President 2003-05.
MANIFESTO
I’m standing for election again to continue to work towards the Council vision of liveable, thriving and connected communities. I will work to:
Advance the aspirations expressed by local communities in your own local plans (these include aspirations around our parks and open spaces, safe connections between and within communities, and community-driven communications);
Bring general rates rises down to 3% and less, as budgeted, starting next year;
Manage core services efficiently including roading (we have the7th longest local network in NZ) and oversee the smooth transition of our waters infrastructure into the waters company jointly-owned with Hamilton City;
Manage the implementation of upcoming Government reform in resource management;
Continue to work to ensure the communities and people I represent are informed and can engage meaningfully with the Council when it’s important to you;
Develop genuine, transparent dialogue to ensure that Council decisions are democratically driven.
Email: crystal@bba.org.nz
Mob: 0275 957 927
