Authors

Lois has taught in various schools around New Zealand. She married Jim in 1967 and soon became a pastor's wife. They have pastored with the Baptist churches of New Zealand for nearly 50 years in Wellington, Auckland, Te Awamutu, Kaitaia, Darfield and Wanaka. In 2017 they travelled the length of the country visiting churches when Jim was president of the NZ Baptist movement. Lois has previously published two photography books, See the Wonder and Changing Seasons.

Jenny Pattrick is an acclaimed historical novelist, whose The Denniston Rose, and its sequel Heart of Coal, are among New Zealand's biggest-selling novels. They have also been republished in an illustrated edition. The former teacher and jeweller's works include the Whanganui novel Landings, and Inheritance, set in Samoa, which, along with all her adult titles, have been number one bestsellers in New Zealand. Other titles include Catching the Current (2005), In Touch with Grace (2006), Skylark (2012), Heartland (2014), Leap of Faith (2017) and Harbouring (2022). In 2009 she received the New Zealand Post Mansfield Fellowship. She has been active in the arts community, and has also written stories, songs and shows for children. Identified by Nicky Pellegrino as 'one of this country's most talented storytellers', it has been said that she creates 'an authentic stage for a cast of characters who interact in ways that always ring true' (The Christchurch Press). Reviewing Landings, Graham Beattie concluded- 'It is not surprising that she is one of NZ's most popular contemporary novelists and this fine piece of historical fiction will further enhance that well-deserved reputation.' For more information go to- https-//jenny-pattrick.com/books-by-jenny/

Joe (aka Wolfgang Joseph Passl) spent most of his active life in government service, mainly for the Department of Health and in Science and Technology. His scientific publications cover a wide range of topics including the overall concern of quality management. Joe was fortunate to intersperse his professional work with worldwide travel and writing fiction. He sees Aotearoa as a microcosm of the wider world, reflecting human activities, locations, and natural events in a colourful array, worth to be captured in this collection of little stories.

Gregor Paul is The New Zealand Herald's most respected rugby columnist and is a regular contributor to publications around the world. He has won multiple journalism awards for news, features and opinion writing, and is a sought after guest on radio and TV. His bestselling biography Steve Hansen: The Legacy was shortlisted for the The Sunday Times Sports Book Awards 2023. Gregor was born and raised in Scotland, and has lived in Auckland with his wife and three children since 2003.

No biography

Ruth Paul is a multi-award-winning children's author and illustrator. Her work includes Stomp, The King's Bubbles, Bad Dog Flash, the Mini Whinny series (with Stacy Gregg) and I am Jellyfish, which won the 2018 Best Picture Book award at the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. Her books, which have sold around the world with translations in five languages, are distinguished by playful language, adorable illustrations, giggle-inducing humour and delightful characters. In 2019 Ruth was invited to attend the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival in Dubai and the Bookaroo Festival of Children's Literature in India. Back at home in New Zealand, Ruth lives and works in a straw-bale house at Makara Beach, near Wellington.

Tangaroa Paul (Te Whare Tawhito o Muriwhenua), a poi expert who identifies as gender-fluid, is a lecturer in te reo Māori at the Auckland University of Technology, where they have recently submitted a doctoral thesis in gender studies. Rere Atu Tāku Poi is Tangaroa’s first book. Rebecca Gibbs (Rongowhakaata) has been a primary school teacher and gained a Bachelor of Design (VisCom) in 2015, since when she has worked in illustration and publishing. She lives in Christchurch.

No biography

Dr Brian PaulingBrian founded the New Zealand Broadcasting School at the Christchurch Polytechnic (now Ara Institute of Canterbury) in 1983 where he maintains a role as associate researcher. In 2020 he was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to broadcasting and education. Dr Bronwyn Beatty Bronwyn is research leader at the New Zealand Broadcasting School, Ara Institute of Canterbury where she has taught for ten years. Her interest in the media’s ubiquity and its impact on everyday lives informs her research, with particular emphasis on audience encounters with popular culture.

No biography

Francis Payne and Ian Smith are New Zealand's foremost cricket statisticians and have been editing the Cricket Almanack for many years. Payne, in particular, is well known to all cricket followers. He is a regular guest on both radio and television as well as fulfilling the role as chief statistician for New Zealand Cricket.