[1][2] From the age of five years, she drew constantly, read widely and wanted to make children’s books when she grew up.
[3] She was educated at Woodlands School and Ōpōtiki College,[4] and studied for a Diploma of Visual Communications Design (Illustration) at Wellington Polytechnic.
[3] Her writing and illustrating career began with freelance work and submitting her portfolio to publishers.
[7] She has received Storylines Notable Book Awards for The Seven Stars of Matariki/Te Huihui o Matariki (2009), Muddle & Mo (2016), Witch's Cat Wanted: Apply Within (2017) and Muddle and Mo’s Rainy Day (2019).
Other awards include the LIANZA Te Kura Pounamu Medal Winner for The Puriri Tree/Te Puriri (2001), Sir Julius Vogel Finalist for Professional Illustration for The Seven Stars of Matariki/Te Huihui o Matariki (2009), Pride in Print: Highly Commended Professional Design for In Love with Moko (2102) and New Zealand Children's Art House Foundation award for Artist Most Supporting Children (2017).