Background
He was born in Hastings, New Zealand, and raised in Napier where he was educated at Tamatea High School.
He was born in Hastings, New Zealand, and raised in Napier where he was educated at Tamatea High School.
In 1987 he stood, unsuccessfully, as the National Party"s parliamentary candidate for Napier. In 1989 he became the youngest person ever elected to the Napier City Council. During his time on the Napier City Council he was a polarising personality, attracting both strong support and strong opposition for his views.
He was responsible for the ‘NapierLife’ Marketing program, which was a key driver in reversing population decline and re-energising economic activity in Hawke"s Bay during the 1990s.
He lost his Council seat in 1998 after serving three terms. He is also a past Director of the Hawke"s Bay Airport, Marineland of New Zealand and the National Aquarium of New Zealand.
Church was Chief Executive Officer of the Auckland Property Investors Association between 2005 and 2007. During that time he doubled the size of that organisation despite the efforts of a rogue Board member to sabotage his role.
He is also a past National Sales and Marketing Manager of Pulse Energy and Mercury Energy.
He was subsequently employed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Newmarket Business Association. He is a regular media commentator on Property, Energy, and Business issues and has appeared on My House My Castle, New Zealand Open Home, ASB I Want to Buy a Home and Television New Zealand Breakfast.
His community activity has included roles as National Council Member of New Zealand Junior Chamber of Commerce, Executive Councillor of the North Shore Chamber of Commerce, National Board member of Towns & Cities New Zealand, Creator and Organiser of the Hawke"s Bay Summer Festival, and Organiser of the 1985 North Shore Telethon Centre.