Authors

History, classics, art and architectural history have been at the heart of Anna Crighton’s careers in the public and private sector. Before graduating in these subjects later in life at Canterbury and Otago universities, she was registrar of Christchurch’s Robert McDougall Art Gallery for 20 years. She then embarked on a career in local politics as a Christchurch city councillor for 12 years and a member of the Canterbury District Health Board for a further 12. Over three decades, she was a trustee and director of many trusts and companies. Anna has lived in Wellington, Sydney and England but has always returned to the city of her birth. In 2020 she was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to heritage preservation and governance.

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Vanessa Croft is an Aotearoa-based historical fiction writer with a passion for bringing history to life. Born in Australia, her childhood was spent in Nigeria and Papua New Guinea as a civil engineer's daughter, and these remote locations fostered her love of travelling, writing and the natural world. With a background in humanities and research, she is an avid armchair historian with a passion for Victorian-era Aotearoa. She lives in the spectacular South Island on a small farm that once bred Clydesdales and spends her time with her adventurer husband, two teens and far too many books.

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Daniel has been a life-long theatre kid but has proven to expand his repertoire with musical theatre, singing, dance and most importantly, his writing. The idea of

Mike Cron is one of world rugby's most successful coaches. Having coached with the All Blacks for more than 200 games, including the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, Cron came out of retirement to work alongside Wayne Smith and lead the Black Ferns to rugby world cup victory in 2022. Cron is widely sought after for his expertise, and has worked with the Welsh and Japanese national sides, as well as run coaching sessions in France, England, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, and Argentina. He currently coaches the Wallabies alongside Joe Schmidt.

Stacy Eyles (Ngāti Porou) is an art director, artist, and award-winning illustrator based in Wellington. He produces work in many different media, ranging from canvas and murals to clothing and television.