When author Tania Roxborogh’s primary school teacher asked the class to write down three things they wished to be when they grew up, Tania wrote down four (an early sign that she was unlikely to often fit neatly into the box). These were: writer, teacher, actor, rich.

Forty-eight years on from that time, she is happy to say that all four wishes came true although, like any good English teacher who knows her way around a dictionary and thesaurus, the definitions of the last two words are wide ranging. An author of 33 books (novels, plays, text books, and anthologies), she has been a teacher for 33 years; has appeared in Shortland Street, a couple of ads, a cameo in Zena, Warrior Princess, was the lead in a dreadful short film (back when there was no YouTube or digital copies) and went to enough unsuccessful auditions to realise her talents lay better served behind the scenes. As for being ‘rich’? Enough to care for her pets and children, buy Toffee Pops even when they’re not on special, and fill her rooms with books.

Tania was born in Christchurch and educated in schools all around Aotearoa New Zealand. She has been an English teacher since 1989, and has a BA in Humanities from Massey University, and a BA in Māori from Otago University. She is currently working on a PhD in Māori knowledge from Massey University. She is married with two adult daughters.