Leaving school at the age of fourteen, Owen travelled around New Zealand on a working holiday. Then, at the age of seventeen, he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force, where he served for eleven years on various bases, including overseas.

He married his wife, Kaye, at 20, and they are still together today. Over the years, he's had various jobs, from driving the big red buses in Christchurch to selling dairy products

He owned two businesses: a coffee bar/tearoom and a limousine service. Then, in 1995, he joined the tourist tram operation in Christchurch and spent the next 20 years with the company, including a year in Auckland helping to set up its operation.

 After surviving the devastating earthquakes of 2010 in Christchurch, they sold their home after it was repaired, and both Owen and Kaye hit the road in their 5th-wheel motor home. He is now retired, and they have two grown children and one Granddaughter.

Owen, a keen genealogist, motor caravanner, and rugby fanatic with a love of history, has put his hobbies to good use.

He always wondered what it would be like to live back in the turbulent times of New Zealand's history and wrote his first book with this in mind. 

Photo Gallery