I started out as a staff writer in 2002 at the iconic Auckland monthly Metro, fresh from the University of Canterbury's post-graduate journalism course. During the next five years, I wrote stories on everything from local body politics to screaming chefs to pigeon racers. Eventually, I was promoted to senior writer and epicure editor and along the way I won best junior feature writer at the Qantas Media Awards.
Then, I left to travel though Asia and Europe, contributing to the Air New Zealand magazine KiaOra, stopping in Prague to drink a lot of beer before moving to London. Frustrated by my inability to find writing work in a recession, I took to copy editing and eventually found work on Esquire magazine.
Since returning to New Zealand in April 2009, I've been contributing to Metro, North & South and KiaOra, among others, as well as Monocle in Britain. I have recently published stories on eating off the grid, travelling up the Mekong in Laos and the politics of waste. I have just finished a book project for Random House New Zealand and am currently working on an online project of my own.
I like stories with heart and narrative and tight, pithy quotes but mostly I just like to be busy. I am a one-eyed Aucklander who thinks this city is under-rated. And if you ask me really nicely, I will tell you where to go for the best noodles this side of Hong Kong.