Penny Fairbrother
Currently working as a Senior Advisor at Greater Wellington Regional Council, Penny has worked in a number of roles across various government sectors. Originally from Palmerston North, she moved to Wellington to study a Bachelor of Science at Victoria University. She continues to live in Karori where she has raised two sons with her husband, who is a small business owner.
Penny’s roles align with TOP and have revolved around managing programmes of research designed to deliver evidence-based information to decision-makers. She is passionate about using science to inform policy and practice. Penny believes her open demeanour combined with an ability to explain complex issues has often seen her take on spokesperson roles for some highly controversial topics – 1080 and toxic algae in particular.
I’m dedicated to supporting innovative solutions that will take us into a fair and sustainable future, and it’s an absolute honour and a privilege to have been appointed to TOP's board. I hope to bring the skills, drive and enthusiasm to help TOP transition into a new phase and build on the progress made in the last election.
Darren Savage
Darren is a Project and Change Manager, working in the public health sector in Kirikiriroa/ Hamilton. Over the past 14 years, he has worked with teams across Waikato Hospital to make healthcare more accessible. He is also a freelance commercial financial advisor, based on his background as a trained accountant.
Darren is currently a Board Member and Treasurer for the Refugee Orientation Centre, an organisation that supports forced and new migrants with the transition to living in the Waikato. He was previously the Policy Coordinator for TOP, supporting the Policy Committee with policy development for the 2020 General Election.
TOP is willing to address the most challenging issues facing the country, and to do that, the party must continue to develop its base to sustain itself for the long-term. I would like to help guide the party in its continued development to become established on the country’s political scene.
Scott Pollok
Scott lives in Auckland with his young family, and works in intellectual property law as a patent attorney. He is a small business owner with a background in mechanical engineering.
Experienced in managing small teams and inspiring others, Scott brings to the TOP team a passion for good policy and change, backed up by analytical legal and technical skills, a keen eye for detail, a strong work ethic, and high standards in delivering what he’s tasked with.
I believe New Zealanders deserve an evidence-driven voice in the political landscape, and that TOP is the right party for the job. I'm looking forward to putting my legal and organisational skills to good use, helping TOP deliver a non-ideological platform committed to long-term solutions as a lifeboat for Kiwi voters.
Dan Thurston Crow
Dan lives in rural Taranaki with husband Thomas and farmdog Flo. Deeply committed to strengthening community, he splits his time between coordinating events and programs for his local farming community and – as a serial entrepreneur himself – for Taranaki’s entrepreneurship support organisation, Doso. He’s also chair of the region’s largest environmental NGO, Sustainable Taranaki. In what time remains he consults on strategy and runs executive training, facilitation and coaching programs.
Dan’s involvement in TOP is long-standing; he was a candidate in Mt Albert in 2017, New Plymouth in 2020, and has regularly contributed to TOP strategy.
Without TOP I have no political home. Without TOP I worry that the systemic issues causing measurable declines in our nation’s health, wellbeing, equity and environment will only worsen. It’s a privilege to work alongside other TOP board members in the effort to see TOP enter Parliament and address those issues.
Alan Wilderland
Alan is one of the founders and owners of Serato Audio Research a music software company great kiwi success story now employing over 160 people in Auckland.
He graduated from the University of Auckland, with a Science (Hons) degree in Computer Science, and has spent the last 26 years developing his skills in business as a software engineer, Managing Director, then CEO and now board member of Serato.
Alan has deep experience in marketing, community building, business strategy, and governance, and extremely high standards of integrity and clear communication.
I have been an avid supporter of Opportunity since the party came into existence, and I’m excited to apply my skills and energy to getting the most courageous and sense-driven party in NZ into Parliament.
Beverley Short
Beverley Short, retired nurse, founder member of TOP.
The Party promotes values that I cherish. Seeing them included in legislation, is what keeps me energised.
Politics is tough, involves grit and compromise. An uncomfortable place to be, but nothing is achieved without strength. Age and experience in an increasingly hostile world are what I bring to The Opportunities Party.
People are our greatest treasure. Most cultures know that and try to keep it front and centre.
People can also be our greatest threat, a growing threat to the existence of our home, Earth.
As long at TOP’s policies recognise these two truths, we have a future.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees & the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. - DESIDERATA 1692