Creative Writing
Master of Creative Writing with first class honours, University of Auckland, 2012.
Sir James Wallace Master in Creative Writing Inaugural Publication Prize, 2012
New Zealand Society of Authors Mentor Programme, 2013
Publication History
General non-fiction:
Whale Oil: One man’s fight to save his reputation, then his life, Potton & Burton, 2019
Womankind: New Zealand women making a difference, Penguin Random House, March 2019.
Ghost writer:
Straight Up – Ruby Tui Allen & Unwin 2023
Mark Vette Zen Heart: What I’ve Learnt from Animals and Life. Randon House 2022
Impossible: My Story, Stan Walker. Harper Collins 2020
The Resilient Farmer, Doug Aver., Penguin/Random House 2017
To the Ice and Beyond, Graeme Kendall, Mary Egan Publishing, 2016
The Good Doctor, Lance O’Sullivan, Penguin Books, 2015
Stand By Me, John Kirwan, Penguin Books, 2014.
My Two Heavens, Jo Crabb, Random House, 2014.
Ecoman, Malcolm Rands, Random House, 2013.
The Modfather, Ray Columbus, Penguin Books, 2011.
Finding the Path, Kelvin Cruickshank, Penguin Books, 2011.
All Blacks Don’t Cry, John Kirwan, Penguin Books, 2010.
Bridging the Gap, Kelvin Cruickshank, Penguin Books, 2010.
Walking in Light, Kelvin Cruickshank, Penguin Books, 2009.
Other Publications
Journey, Pippa Blake, Penguin Books (editing and rewriting), 2011.
Trial by Ambush, Joe Karam, HarperCollins (editing and rewriting), 2012.
Falling for the Exotic, in It Looks Better on You: New Zealand Women Writers on Their Friendships, edited by Jane Westaway and Tessa Copland, Longacre, 2003.
The Hungry Heart, Hodder Moa Beckett, 1996 (co-authored with Angela McCarthy).
Standing in Sunshine, Sandra Coney, Penguin Books (major contributor), 1993.
Journalism
Magazine Publishers’ Association Journalist of the Year (Lifestyle) 2007
Staff Writer, Your Weekend magazine 2008 –2010
Books Editor – Herald on Sunday 2004 – 2007
Books Editor – Next Magazine 2005 – 2007
Books Editor – New Zealand Herald, Canvas Magazine 1999 – 2004
(Three-time finalist in the Montana Book Awards book pages of the year)
Previously: feature writer New Zealand Herald, National Business Review, and freelancer for many publications.
Freelance book reviewer for Your Weekend, Sunday Star Times and New Zealand Herald.