I am a writer, teacher and maker.

I have been publishing poetry, short fiction, essays, articles and reviews for over 20 years, but I have been making stuff up in words since before I learned to write. I write compulsively because it’s what I feel I am meant to be doing.

I have also worked in education for most of my adult life, across a wide range of ages, from relief teaching in early childhood centres and volunteering at Playcentre, to working with all ages of school children, to teaching in tertiary institutions. While I have mostly worked as a science teacher, I have taught people how to do a wide range of things, from facilitating sand play to inverting on a pole, to writing poetry, to identifying edible weeds. Both my parents, one of my grandparents, and a number of my ancestors have also worked as teachers. I also feel that teaching is a huge part of who I am and I hope to be involved in education for the rest of my life.

I make things because I am not very good at sitting still. I am kinaesthetic and like doing things that are hands-on.

Definitely not the stereotypical misanthropic writer in a garret, I love to be around other people. I enjoy creative collaborations and believe creativity is a communal and collective phenomenon rather than a competitive or individualist pursuit.

My academic background is in science (Ecology and biodiversity), and creative writing. I also have a teaching diploma. For many years I saw my CV as a bit of a mess and my lack of a single focus as something embarrassing. I now see it as a gift. I hope I can help others to find a balance in their lives, and to connect with creativity, nature and our authentic selves.

I was raised as a Quaker with strong influences from both Christianity and neo-pagan earth-based spirituality. My beloved nana, who was of Scottish and Irish heritage, believed in fairies and nature spirits and had a wild garden where they could live undisturbed. I am a practising green witch and feel very connected to nature and the earth.

You can find my books at Te Herenga Waka University Press.

My file at ReadNZ Te Pou Muramura has information about my literary work.

My PhD graduate profile has information about my academic work and a link to my thesis.