Laurie Foon grew up in Wainuiomata, of Chinese and tau iwi descent. For more than 20 years she has lived in Berhampore with her husband and two daughters.
She first won a seat as a Paekawakawa/Southern Ward Councillor in 2019. She was re-elected in 2022. Known as a pioneer in sustainable fashion, Laurie founded fashion label Starfish in the early 1990s.
A host of honours came her way including a Sustainable Business Award in 2007. National Museum Te Papa recognised the historic and cultural significance of Starfish by having a collection of garments in its archives.

Laurie created New Zealand’s first eco fashion show as part of Fashion Week 2010. Other recognition came in 2017 when she won an Absolutely Positively Wellington Award and was named a Kiwibank Local Hero. While passionate about sustainability for the good of the planet and everyone on it, Laurie knows business must be part of the solution and will work with Wellington’s business community to make meaningful change. She has five-years-experience as Manager of the Sustainable Business Network, as well as her insights as a business owner, to assist with this work.

She is particularly passionate about ensuring Wellington becomes a low carbon city through initiatives such as Let’s Get Wellington Moving, intensification of housing, and making it easier to get around the city using low carbon transport options. Laurie is also focused on ensuring there is a sustainable food system that is good for the planet, which incorporates a circular economy.