Kate

I spent the endless summers of my youth at family baches on the Whangarei Heads, and Kawau Bay, feasting on fresh kai moana, and practically living on the beach and in the water. We were always in bare feet, and the sun was always shining it seemed.

After finishing high school on the North Shore, I completed a Physical Education degree, which saw me move initially to teach in Wellington and then London. My teaching career was short lived and the call of the sea could not be ignored. Hence, I became a salty seadog, crewing on world cruising private yachts.

For the past few years I have lead a gypsy life, traveling the world and logging many sea miles, including crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a sailing yacht.

During this time I was mugged by masked machete wielding bandits in Honduras, robbed by police in Indonesia, hunted Mako sharks off Santa Catalina with an infamous LA Laker basketball player, careered sideways in a 90 foot yacht down a Panama Canal lock, and also got to experience many of the world's delights.

I've also been fortunate enough to have dived some of the top dive spots in the world; the Netherland Antillies, Belize reef, Nembeh Strait, Rajah Ampat, the kelp fields of California, Great Barrier Reef, the WWII wrecks of Micronesia, and of course the beautiful waters of New Zealand.

Despite my love for ongoing excitement and travel, being a true blue Kiwi, I was keen to return to the wonderful New Zealand way of life. Now that I am a part of The ITM Fishing Show team, my love for travel and adventure can continue, and I am lucky enough to have my daily working life revolving around all things related to the ocean.