June Peka is a Christchurch freelancer, writing mainly garden and lifestyle articles for New Zealand and Australian magazines and newspapers. She retired early from nearly 20 years as a civil servant, after previously dabbling in various occupations, including office work, shearers’ rouseabout, butchers’ apprentice, tussock board cook, journalist, oyster packer, and bakery assistant. During those times she met many interesting characters, some of who have inspired the children’s stories, and adult fiction, she has had published.

June’s interests now include: collecting magpie memorabilia, gardening, op shopping, bookbinding, and her (far-flung) grown-up family and grandchildren, who will probably suffer from information and paper overload in years to come when they read her personal journals and family history.