Mr van Wieren, the eldest of seven children to Dutch immigrant parents, was born and bred in Christchurch. 18 years ago he moved to Cromwell where he works as a self-employed property maintenance contractor. Hessel has a strong work ethic, and a sense of responsibility to family, his church, and his community. As chairperson of the Cromwell Youth Worker Trust, he has empathy for people and a strong awareness of injustices. He believes there is an urgent need for social and monetary reforms because international banking and financial markets are having a detrimental effect on many facets of our lives, no matter where we live. Hessel is the Party’s Law & Order spokesman.