ABOUT ME

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I was born on 2nd February, 1989 in Slough in the United Kingdom. My parents moved to New Zealand when I was 18 months old. Growing up, I was always surrounded by books, and from a very early age, my aspiration was to be an author. I remember writing one of my first stories when I was four years old. I stapled it together to make into a 'book', and it was about a lonely tiger in a pet shop who was adopted by a friendly girl.

I attribute my love of reading to my mum, who homeschooled me from the age of 10 and was reading books to me since I opened my eyes. Later, I home-schooled my three younger siblings for two and a half years.

When I was 20 years old, I began studying to be a primary school teacher. I met my husband, Manu, during my study and now we both live in Levin with our two children. In my spare time, when I'm not teaching, reading or writing stories, I help Manu write songs in te reo Māori, add to my travel scrapbooks, and I act and help backstage at the local theatre.

I am passionate about bringing Māori culture to the forefront of children's education, and many of my stories feature elements of Māori culture and language. 

These days, my favourite books include the Narnia series by C. S. Lewis, Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien, a variety of children's picture books and anything by Agatha Christie.

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