Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (FPRINZ), Accredited in Public Relations (APR)

Lee has more than 35 years’ experience across communications, business, stakeholder engagement and community leadership, including senior professional roles, business ownership and local government-related work.

A former journalist and highly experienced public relations and communications professional, Lee currently works with Buller District Council and as a contractor for Environment Southland.

Lee is actively involved in numerous community and resilience-focused initiatives, including Promoting Buller, the Punakaiki Progressive Association, Coast Road Resilience Group, Buller Incident Management Group, Community Voice, the Punakaiki Community Facility Working Group and the Woodpecker Bay Civil Defence Group.

Since arriving in Buller in 2012, Lee has developed a strong connection to the region, its people and its sense of community. Alongside her professional expertise in communication and engagement, she offers the KNECT team a practical understanding of community resilience, collaboration and local advocacy.