I was born and raised in New Plymouth, spending my childhood years in Fitzroy, then my teenage years in Bell Block.
I went to Fitzroy Primary School, then Highlands Intermediate and then on to New Plymouth Boys High School.
We are a multi-generational family, all proud to say we are from New Plymouth. My parents and grandparents all lived here.
After leaving school I chased the professional sporting dream, trying to become a professional cyclist then triathlete. With some national success I soon discovered I would still need to earn an income, so I switched my focus to a career in the New Zealand Police.
I spent 14 years as a front-line Constable there, serving in Hamilton City, Stratford, then on to the West Coast of the South Island where I spent a number of years as a sole charge officer. Returning back home to New Plymouth in 2019.
During my policing career I worked extremely hard to earn my place on both the Elite Armed Offenders Squad and the Diplomatic Protection Squad. I was a trained instructor and a PHEC Medic for the squad there.
I had some incredible challenging and also rewarding experiences in the Police. Most of the rewarding ones are the little things that make a big difference like attending kids schools, helping out those in need, and just simply being a strong and trustful face for the community.
During my time in the Police, I was shot at, set on fire and was involved in a number of high profile events across the country. I was proud to receive a Bravery Award in 2014. Which read:
For bravery and professionalism when pursuing an offender, wanted for Murder and Kidnapping.
On the 30th of March 2014, Constable Woodward saw the offender south of Franz Joseph and pursued him. During the pursuit, the offender stopped several times to throw items at Constable Woodward, including a Molotov cocktail. He also set fire to the road with flammable liquid.
The offender was eventually stopped with road spikes. Over the following five hours, Constable Woodward negotiated and established a rapport with him. He defused several potentially dangerous situations and provided the offender with a number of options that, together with the Armed Offenders Squad, led to safe surrender and arrest.
Constable Woodwards commitment, bravery and professionalism were in keeping with the highest traditions of New Zaland Police.
While I loved my time in the Police, I always had business interests outside of that. I have been involved with numerous startups and successful companies, including retail, trade, transport and currently run a very busy Heavy Vehicle Driver Training operation with my wife Serena, here in New Plymouth.
I’ve also turned around failing companies before and have seen all of the ups and downs that go with business over time.
I’m an incredibly approachable and positive person who will do anything to help people. I am proud to work extremely hard, and having grown up with not a lot as a family, I was shown by my parents to work for what you need or want as it won’t be given to you.
I love training in the gym and run most days. My wife and I also bike on the local trails, walkways and roads all the time. I like to hunt, 4WD, fish and live for adventure.
For years I have been saying to those close to me that I would one day stand for Council, either when I was ready or when I had witnessed enough. Both are true now, I am ready to help, and like most people, I have seen enough. Its time to change.
I am not a politician at all, but I will be the strong, considered and no-nonsense voice in the Council and I believe that is exactly what is needed.
I absolutely love living and working in New Plymouth, this place is incredible and is home. Yes, there are some challenges and there always will be. However, we have a huge amount going for us here also, and we need to celebrate that as well.