Jami-Lee

Sarah Harvey at Stuff has done a profile and interview with Jami-Lee Ross, National’s Botany candidate.

In the past National has been perceived as having MPs who come from privliged backgrounds, ie Torys. This is less and less the case with each new intake of MPs, including John Key of course.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Papatoetoe. I was raised by my grandmother. I have never met my father and my mother was quite young when she had me so my grandmother decided when I was baby that she would take me on.

Grandma did a pretty good job I’d say.

What about in your personal life?

I have a pilot’s licence. I don’t get much time to fly these days. I guess when I was starting out as a teenager that was the direction I wanted to go in and started off pilots training. But once I got on the council I found that it’s fairly intensive and a full time job so I haven’t had time to pursue that – it’s more of a hobby now.

I know Wayne Mapp has a pilot’s licence also. I wonder how many MPs do?

If I had a pilot’s licence and a small plane, then paradise would be also having a home on Great Barrier Island and commuting to work by flying yourself!