Born in Christchurch in 1932, Anthony Holcroft spent his childhood in Invercargill. He grew up in a household devoted to reading and writing, but even at that early age his preferences leaned towards fairy tales and myths rather than traditional ‘boys’ stories’. During these childhood years he also began to develop a fascination with the New Zealand landscape, spending time exploring the countryside and becoming aware of ‘something alive and stirring just below the surface of things’.

After leaving school, he worked on back-country farms, and taught in rural schools, later managing a fruit farm near Christchurch before attending Canterbury University. He was initially intending to pursue an academic career. However the countryside eventually summoned him back, and in 1960 he bought some land near Rangiora and established an orchard there. He now describes his primary activities as environmental restoration projects and writing. He began his career as an author by writing down stories for his own children.

Betty Gilderdale wrote: ‘Holcroft’s achievement lies in his ability to tether the archetypal firmly to the landscape of New Zealand, and marks a significant development of indigenous fantasy writing for children.’ (The Oxford History of New Zealand Literature, 1991).