I was born in West Auckland, New Zealand in 1958, raised by a family steeped with old school values, growing up in a small country town with little or nothing to capture our attention, leaving my accomplices and I to rampage through the minefield of our youth with reckless abandonment.

The mid 70’s bought about the Psychedelic Era along with the introduction to Eastern Philosophies and “THE KARMIC LAW’ - these new found revelations had a profound effect on how I viewed the world, cultivating the seed of social conscience within me. If the Karmic Principals are to be believed “The Giver Gathers” and the art of giving unconditionally gave me the only opportunity to right the wrongs of my past and experience the soul soothing gratification giving brings.

Around 1984 I leased a property at a place called Ohui, a 150-acre farm on the northern end of Opoutere Beach on the Coromandel Peninsular near Whangamata. I went on to develop and run Pacific Farm Park, a private camping ground with a large communal barn, stage area with a natural ampitheatre, along with numerous BBQ’s and camp fire sites, with a private beach 5km long. It was here I played host to School and Youth groups, including an at-risk youth programme. We held four 4- day festivals annually for over 20 years, including Youth For Christs’ Ocean Harvest Festival over the Christmas 10 day period with approximately 500 – 600 attendees, this ran for several years 1989 - 1996.

Whangamata, our local seaside resort town had a long history of rioting. Sadly, these youth and young adults were not being catered for during the evenings and alas as the devil makes work for idle hands the riots would continue year after year for as long as I can remember and cat and mouse challenges with the Police became traditional, we are talking 5000 – 8000 participants stampeding the town inflicting a massive financial and emotional cost to the townspeople. Sadly a great deal of the problem stemmed from an overzealous police force many of whom had been drinking most of the day before swing shift each evening around 7pm, i bought this up at a public meeting and challenged the area commander to breath test them before they commenced work, his embarrassment was obvious as i had struck a relevant cord

Recognising the real problem, I proposed an Open-Air Festival for 10 consecutive nights whereby i recommended the Police were not required within the venue perimeter to which they did adhere to. Many were sceptical about its outcome and sat back with an “I told you so” attitude waiting for some catastrophic fall out, while others with fingers crossed support prayed for the best. By the grace of God, it worked!! with not one single adverse incident to report which demonstrated there was sound basis to my views/strategies. I had become the architect and engineer of the solution – I managed this festival from 1990 until 1994 and this festival still runs successfully to this day, much to the delight of all concerned.

While this challenge was filled with trepidation, I was adamant it was the solution to the problem. I consider this as one of my greatest achievements.