Personal Details

Name: Grifen Hope
Address: 163 Molesworth Street New Plymouth
Email: grifen@wholehabitat.co.nz
Telephone No#: +64 6 7588523
Date of Birth: 10th January 1976

Profile & Skills Summary
An Ecoentrepreneur and self-confessed Pragmatic Planner with a passion for sustainable living, I bring a unique and compelling perspective to any project. An array of practical experience confers high versatility in the workplace and the ability to adapt quickly and effectively to a given situation.
My tertiary education has provided me with a systemic understanding of humanities critical challenges, a sturdy foundation for critical analysis, and creative problem solving with complex problems. I have a strong personal identity and can articulate my values clearly, one-on-one and as a public speaker. I posses excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary contexts. My true passion and life’s work is regenerative planning and design; engaging with and mobilising people and communities to articulate shared vision in the transition towards sustainability.
I aim to eventually be self-employed, creatively engaged in formulating solutions to contemporary problems with regard to sustainability concerns. I would like to be part of a multidisciplinary team, providing sustainable living options. I also have a strong desire to establish myself a sustainable lifestyle in New Zealand, whereby I can be as self-reliant as possible and in so doing generate options, opportunity and genuine-wealth for my family and wider community.
I am currently undertaking post-graduate studies to obtain a Masters of Regional Planning (MRP) on a part time basis. I am due to submit a dissertation in March 2008.

Education & Training

• 2005: Creative Facilitation Training Living Lightly Taupo
• 2004: Bachelor of Resource and Environmental Planning (1st Class)- Massey University Palmerston North
• 2004: Permaculture Design Certificate Permaculture Institute of New Zealand (PiNZ)
• 1994: Art Craft and Design Certificate Wanganui School of Fine Arts

Awards & Appointments

• 2006: Candidate Permaculture Across Borders (PAB) international directors
• 2006: Candidate Sustainable Aotearoa New Zealand (SANZ) board elections
• 2004: Sasakawa Young Leaders Award – scholarship for postgraduate study
• 2002: Ken Nairn Planning Prize – highest second year planning student

Work Experience

• Operations Manager – Taranaki Environment Centre
Date: March 2004 to the present.
Employer: Taranaki Environmental Education Trust.
Responsibilities: Policy, strategic planning, governance, promotion, contract negotiation, project development, project delivery, teaching, administration, accounting, managing staff, networking.

• Design Consultant – Wholehabitat Design
Date: September 2005 to the present.
Employer: Self-employed.
Responsibilities: Client and site analysis, building consent, plan drafting etc.

• Ecological Design Course Coordinator – Primary Teacher
Date: March 2005, March 2006.
Employer: Taranaki Environmental Education Trust.
Responsibilities: Course development, promotion, coordination & delivery.

• Graduate Assistant – Massey University
Date: Casual February 2004–June 2004.
Employer: Massey University – Environmental Planning.
Responsibilities: Student support, assignment marking, running tutorials, liaising with and introducing guest speakers.

• NGO Research & Development
Date: Casual 1999-2004.
Employer: Taranaki Environmental Education Trust.
Responsibilities: Research and Development for the Taranaki Environment Centre, Enviroschools, Conservation Corps and Permaculture Design Course.

• Policy Research South Taranaki District Council
Date: Summer 2002–2003.
Employer: South Taranaki District Council.
Responsibilities: Research and report to Environmental Policy Manager.

• Undergraduate Support Tutor – Massey University
Date: Casual 2002, 2003.
Employer: School of People Environment & Planning.
Responsibilities: Practical preparation and presentation, lab marking, test marking.

References
• Bry Kopu: Manager Community Development New Plymouth DC.
Phone: +64 6 759 6060 ext 8152

• Bryan Innes: Sustainability Educator Living Lightly Taupo.
Phone: +64 7 3778910

• Graham Mosen: Taranaki Environmental Education Trust Trustee.
Phone: +64 6 7598223

• Tracey Coles: Environmental Policy Manager South Taranaki DC.
Phone: +64 6 0800 111 323

• Steve Pivac: Tall Tree Company Taranaki.
Phone: +64 6 7617269