I live in Governors Bay, at the head of Lyttelton Harbour. I have moved into academic editing because I love living and working in such a beautiful environment. In the past five years I have planted my large hillside section entirely in natives – plus a vegetable garden and fruit trees. I get a lot of pleasure from the kereru (native pigeons), piwakawaka (fantails) and korimako (bellbirds) who visit my garden daily. I have cats, free-range hens, occasional foster-birds and an adopted goat!

The harbour environment is very important to me and I have been involved in local native planting and conservation projects. I enjoy theatre, film and ‘free-ranging’ reading as well as having a keen interest in New Zealand art.

I have worked for 19 years in the tertiary sector, seven years lecturing at the Christchurch College of Education followed by nine years as a senior lecturer in academic staff development at the University of Canterbury. Most recently I have been contracted as a research advisor to UC Education Plus. I have a Bachelors degree in History and English, a Masters Degree in English and another in Education, a Diploma in Secondary Teaching and a PhD specialising in higher education. I have published in a variety of international journals and local educational publications.