Short Biography

I started my working life as salesman in my father's watchmaker and jeweller supplies business, selling tools and watch parts to a highly technical industry. Early in my career, I developed a wide range of business and life skills, and trained as a teacher, professional musician, contracting painter, fishing trip & boat hire operator to name some of my various ventures.

After a decidedly colourful and varied start to my working life, my career finally settled with a technical sales role, initially selling facsimiles for a New Zealand based office equipment supply company. After setting sales records within my division, and moving into a Sales Management role, I returned to self-employment - my natural calling.

My first serious business sold and serviced 386 and 486 Computers and other office equipment, turning over an impressive $1.1m in its first full year of trading.

Frustrated at not being able to find simple, single ledger, accounting software for my small business clients, I purchased a locally designed package, and redeveloped it into a full suite of accounting software - Kiwi Accounts. Still used by many loyal clients almost 20 years later, the program was eventually sold to over 500 businesses in New Zealand and Australia.

I began developing websites in the early days of the Internet, and in 1999 established Go Kiwi Internet - a commercial website development company. My vision, passion and love of the industry have seen me develop over 500 commercial and charity websites between 1997 and 2006.

In my teenage years I spent time searching for truth, dabbling in Eastern religions along the way. At the age of 20, and newly married, my wife suggested we attend a "proper" church. I obliged and my conversion to Christianity was unexpected and sudden. Basically I actually didn't DO anything to become a Christian. I didn't plan it, it was more like I was "zapped" with a recognition that the bible was more than true, it was the truth. Despite early wanderings, I have allowed that seed of faith to grow over the 30 years since, working through many issues and challenges in the maturing process.

I struggle with Religion, Churchianity and Political Correctness. I really "see red" with liars, cheats and dishonestly, especially the personal sort. Along with a relatively strong understanding of human nature, I have a sensitivity toward and general understanding of political and religious manipulation. I therefore have a deep mistrust of mainstream systems - be they political, financial or religious.

As a result of my Christian faith, I established Red Cross Ministries in 2002, which formalised my commercial support of religious and community group websites. I helped establish Light Party (a Halloween Alternative) in 2003.

In early 2006, I established the Web Developers Association of New Zealand (WDANZ) and have helped establish a range of Joint Ventures to train and support the web development industry.

In 2007 I developed the blueprint for the Internet UNMASKED!! events and wrote the primary content for the Book published in 2008 of the same name.

[Pic: Debbie and me in the Samoan sunshine - it's not as harsh as the New Zealand sun but it can burn and is hotter overall.]

I was born in Auckland, and live in Milford on the North Shore Samoa (as of February 2010). I am married with two teenage/adult children and two step-children. Although I have recently retired from snowboarding, I was one of New Zealand's first snowboarders and regularly travelled to Mt Ruapehu - a truly magic mountain, in the middle of an amazing country!

In 2008 I wrote the blog VICTUS IN AMBITUS (Latin for "living on the edge") a loose description of my attititude and approach to life. Living on the edge is an amazing way to live - full of fun, measured risk, and excitement. Sure, when you live on the edge you occasionally fall off, but it is a life that has no regrets, because opportunity is maximised moment by moment. There is no rest. Work is hard - but play is hard too. I love life and approach all things with passion, full-on, shooting straight, with faith but very real. That is the VICTUS IN AMBITUS way. I converted this blog into my second book Lipstick On A Pig.

In October of 2009 I took my daughter Rebecca to Samoa. A week before we we arrived the Tsunami struck and I found myself in a country in turmoil. Internet skills and expertise are low in Samoa and their web presence sux is less than ideal. I found myself compelled to return and help; sold the family home and immigrated in February 2010.

I established the SWAP Foundation (Samoan Web Ambassadors Programme) which aims to teach and mentor and develop inbound tourism through improved marketing and a bunch of creative business ideas. We have other businesses planned and in the pipeline in Samoa including The Airport Lounge, branded hand-carved wooden bowls, a portal website and Village Stays.