I am the founder and Director, along with my partner, Sylvie Lebchek, of the Timber Trail Centre, a non-profit training centre primarily helping disadvantaged young people.

We have about 3 ha of of paradise by a trout filled river and stream 90 minutes from the ski-fields and Tongariro National Park where much of the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed. The Timber Trail Cycleway, rated one of the top 100 things to do in NZ by the AA, ends at our village.

Our property has been organic for 70 years and we're now embarking on a full permaculture conversion, with a goal of being off the grid in 2 years.

We've had 70 wwoofers and helpex volunteers supporting us in the complete renovation of the three main buildings on the property and planting several hundred trees.

As for my background, I'm a 5th generation kiwi, born and raised in India and worked in 40 countries around the world - including on rural development/appropriate technology projects in India and elsewhere, the slums of Calcutta with Mother Teresa and other wonderful experiences. I've written a book on Urban Energy Efficiency and set up the Urban Energy Efficiency Centre in Auckland 30 years ago.

In terms of a career, I've worked mainly in Government (Treasury advisor to two Prime Ministers), local government (founded Research Unit in the predecessor to Auckland City Council) and internationally in development banking and setting up and running various businesses. I have three university degrees in business and economics and diplomas in a range of other subjects.

Apart from the Timber Trail Centre, I am the founder and CEO of Mindful World Media, a joint venture with NZ (ex-TVNZ) and European partners, which produces documentaries on social, environmental and political topics of importance. And last but not least, I'm taking a lead role in a programme to put hundreds of educational tablets in the hands of poor school children in the developing world and the Pacific.