Awards & Residencies
2021 – Highly Commended in the Engineering New Zealand Heritage Awards, for Take Me With You!
2020 – Joint Winner: Outstanding Contribution to Heritage Award, inaugural Whanganui Regional Heritage Awards, for Take Me With You!
2020 – Longlisted, New Philosopher Writers’ Award XXVI ‘Change’
2020 – Shortlisted for the NZSA/Auckland Museum Research + Residency Grant
2019-2020 – Robert Lord Writers’ Cottage Residency, Dunedin (10 weeks)
2019 – ANZAC Bridge Fellowship with NZ Pacific Studio, Mt Bruce (3 weeks)
2018 – Commended, inaugural Manawatu Writers Festival Nonfiction Writing Competition
2017 – Longlisted, Thresholds International Short Fiction Feature Writing Competition
2016 – Shortlisted, Bridport Prize for Flash Fiction
2016 – Scholarship recipient to attend the inaugural Kapiti Writers’ Retreat, Waikanae
2015 – Winter Writer in Residence, NZ Pacific Studio, Mt Bruce (including a live-to-air broadcast interview with Hugo Manson at Radio Eketahuna)
2011 – Recipient (with others) of the Fulton-Downer Gold Medal President’s Award for engineering in the role of public service. Awarded to engineers who were active in the response phase of the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury Earthquakes
2003 – Finalist, Darius Press Short Story Competition
1985 – Winner, Frank Alack Award for Short Fiction (administered by Forest and Bird)
Publishing History
Take Me With You Too!: A Self-Drive Guide to Dunedin’s Engineering Heritage
Published by Cliff Creatives, September 2022.
Take Me With You!: A Self-Drive Guide to Whanganui’s Engineering Heritage
Published by Cliff Creatives, August 2020.
The Avians
In the Autumn edition of a fine line magazine. Published by the New Zealand Poetry Society, 2020.
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
In 10 stories: writing about architecture/5 – A compilation of essays from the Warren Trust Architectural Writing Competition. Published by the New Zealand Institute of Architects, June 2020.
West Yorkshire Wanderings
In Waterways World magazine, UK. Published July 2019.
A Constant Presence
In 10 stories: writing about architecture/4 – A compilation of essays from the Warren Trust Architectural Writing Competition. Published by the New Zealand Institute of Architects, March 2019.
The Maketu on Mrs Jones and all that
Thresholds International Short Story Forum (University of Chichester, UK). Published May 2017.
Len Lye’s ‘Trilogy’ – An Engineering Perspective
In Len Lye Trilogy (A Flip and Two Twisters). Published by the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, December 2016.
Stamp vending machines – a NZ first
The story of development of a world-first stamp-vending innovation. Wanganui Chronicle, December 2016.
Aramoho Rail Bridge
Construction of the 1877 landmark. Wanganui Chronicle, November 2016.
Kempthorne Prosser
A history of Kempthorne Prosser from 1870 until its closure in the 1980s. Wanganui Chronicle, October 2016.
Sewer innovation and development
Development of local sewer networks, including the innovative egg-shaped sewer in Harrison Street. Wanganui Chronicle, September 2016.
Wanganui Airport
Development of Wanganui airport. Wanganui Chronicle, July 2016.
Early fire-fighting equipment
An article to celebrate Wanganui fire brigade’s 150th jubliee. Wanganui Chronicle, June 2016.
Shedding light on an old solution to dark rooms
The vault lights innovation. Wanganui Chronicle, May 2016.
Cobham Bridge – once the shortest motorway in the world
Building the Cobham Bridge. Wanganui Chronicle, April 2016.
Brickworks
Brickworks and their legacy in and around Wanganui. Wanganui Chronicle, March 2016.
Whanganui’s First Town Bridge
The lengthy saga of building Whanganui’s first bridge, including an overview of swing-span bridges of the Victorian era. Wanganui Chronicle, January 2016.
Mechanised Santas
Window glass development and mechanised shop displays. Wanganui Chronicle, December 2015.
Waipipi Ironsand Industry
The story of the Waipipi ironsands dredge-mining operations. Wanganui Chronicle, November 2015.
Konka Board
The story of the development of Konka board. Wanganui Chronicle, October 2015.
Wanganui Computer Centre
The story of the Wanganui Computer Centre. Wanganui Chronicle, August 2015.
Rutland Stockade
And York Stockade. Wanganui Chronicle, July 2015.
Gilberd’s – The Best Soap!
Wanganui Chronicle, May 2015.
Local Defence During WWII
Local bunkers and pillboxes. Wanganui Chronicle, April 2015.
Plastics from Milk – Wanganui was First!
The story of casein development. Wanganui Chronicle, March 2015.
Transformation of Flow into Flour
Early flour mills, including the Kawana Mill near Pipiriki. Wanganui Chronicle, February 2015.
Building the Dublin Street Bridge
Article for the bridge’s centenary celebrations. Wanganui Chronicle, October 2014.
Making Tracks for Mable
Engineering Insight magazine, July 2014
Robots – The New Generation
Engineering Insight magazine, May 2014
Safeguarding our Ideas
Engineering Insight magazine, July 2013
In Retrospect: Riverbed to River Queen
Engineering Insight magazine, July 2012
Profile: Crystallising Solutions
Engineering Insight magazine, May 2012
In Retrospect: The Dung Dusters
Engineering Insight magazine, May 2012
Celebrate Good Times
Engineering Insight magazine, March 2012
In Retrospect: World-First Fish World
Engineering Insight magazine, March 2012
Always on the Button
Engineering Insight magazine, November 2011
Keeping Track of Trains
Scientriffic magazine (CSIRO Australia for children aged 7+), September 2011.
Open All Hours
Engineering Insight magazine, September 2011
Softness on Tap
Engineering Insight magazine, September 2011
A Tool for Tough Times
Engineering Insight magazine, July 2011
Restoring Faith
Engineering Insight magazine, May 2011
A New Kind of Cool
Engineering Insight magazine, March 2011
Celebrating Good Times
Engineering Insight magazine, March 2011
Moment that Mattered: A 6.3 magnitude aftershock hits Christchurch
A first-hand experience of the February 2011 earthquake. Delayed Gratification magazine, published by The Slow Journalism Company, London.
Public Aquariums: Underwater Zoos
Scientriffic magazine (CSIRO Australia, for children aged 7+), March 2011.
From Wool to Wear
Engineering Insight magazine, January 2011
In Retrospect: Making the Way to Milford
Engineering Insight magazine, January 2011
A Ferro-Concrete Original
e.nz magazine, November 2010
Harnessing the Wind
Scientriffic magazine (CSIRO Australia, for children aged 7+), November 2010.
Australasian Alliance
e.nz magazine, September 2010
In Retrospect: Spanning the Great Divide
e.nz magazine, September 2010
Sky Spies
A story about optical and radio telescopes. Scientriffic magazine (CSIRO Australia, for children aged 7+), September 2010.
Recovery Readiness
e.nz magazine, May 2010
In Retrospect: A Unique Lift to Town
e.nz magazine, May 2010
The Coolest Wind Farm in the World
e.nz magazine, March 2010
In Retrospect: Tarting up the Carter
e.nz magazine, March 2010
A Link in the Technology Chain
e.nz magazine, January 2010
Moving Mountains
e.nz magazine, November 2009
In Retrospect: Wellington Harbour Reclamation
e.nz magazine, November 2009
Green Concrete
e.nz magazine, July 2009
Flowing with the Wind
e.nz magazine, July 2009
Clearing the Air
e.nz magazine, May 2009
The Sky’s the Limit
e.nz magazine, March 2009
Nano-tech Needlework
e.nz magazine, March 2009
Four ever and ever
Wanganui’s Krupp Gun. Wanganui Chronicle, 17 January 2009.
Let there be skylights
The top-side lighting innovation at the Sarjeant Gallery. Wanganui Chronicle, 10 January 2009.
Lighting the way home
Navigation boards and other technology. Wanganui Chronicle, 3 January 2009.
Making waves
Coastal engineer Dr Tom Shand discusses his work. Wanganui Chronicle, 27 December 2008.
Exporting our engineers to the world
Profile of Wanganui old-boy and engineer, Konrad Eriksen. Wanganui Chronicle, 20 December 2008.
Brian Tweed: Mr Maths
A profile of Brian Tweed, working to integrate maths with Maori culture. Wanganui Chronicle, 13 December 2008.
Technology starts with A-B-C
Improving adult literacy and numeracy. Wanganui Chronicle, 6 December 2008.
Stacking Socks to Stop Slips
e.nz magazine, November 2008
Out-Disneying Disneyland
Development of Kowhai Park playground. Wanganui Chronicle, 29 November 2008.
A model of innovation
The new plans for the velodrome, and 3D printing. Wanganui Chronicle, 22 November 2008.
The people with a plan
Planning as a profession. Wanganui Chronicle, 15 November 2008.
Hanging out at Ohakea
The Ohakea hangars. Wanganui Chronicle, 8 November 2008.
Tar for the memories
Road engineering design. Wanganui Chronicle, 1 November 2008.
Trench warfare
Ruapekapeka Pa in Northland. Wanganui Chronicle, 25 October 2008.
Patea power
The Patea Dam. Wanganui Chronicle, 18 October 2008.
Fun feature was forward-thinking
The Virginia Lake bird aviary. Wanganui Chronicle, 4 October 2008.
Dishing up a Revolution
e.nz magazine, September 2008
A ticket to ride
Mable the tram. Wanganui Chronicle, 27 September 2008.
Coking with gas
Coal gas and the gasworks. Wanganui Chronicle, 20 September 2008.
From mud to metal
Early road development. Wanganui Chronicle, 13 September 2008.
Elevated views
Durie Hill elevator. Wanganui Chronicle, 6 September 2008.
A Ward’s eye view of the universe
The Ward observatory. Wanganui Chronicle, 30 August 2008.
Spinning wind into gold
Wind turbine design and the proposed Central Farms wind farm project. Wanganui Chronicle, 23 August 2008.
Wanganui’s wooden wonder
The velodrome. Wanganui Chronicle, 16 August 2008.
RoboCup champs for local engineers-in-waiting
Wanganui Chronicle, 9 August 2008.
Recycling tyres to quake-safe Peru
A profile of Andrew Charleson, structural engineer and Associate Professor at the Victoria University School of Architecture in Wellington. Wanganui Chronicle, 2 August 2008.
A Christmas Cracker
e.nz magazine, July 2008
Floating flower power
The Higginbottom Fountain at Virginia Lake. Wanganui Chronicle, 26 July 2008.
Designing for the wilderness
Profile of a DOC engineer. Wanganui Chronicle, 19 July, 2008.
Okehu: A dam original
The Okehu Dam at Waitahinga. Wanganui Chronicle, 12 July 2008.
Taking care of our brick beauty
Plunket Society building gets a seismic upgrade. Wanganui Chronicle, 5 July 2008.
Going around the bend for one hundred years
Raurimu Spiral. Wanganui Chronicle, 28 June 2008.
A bridge to somewhere
Building the new Town Bridge. Wanganui Chronicle, 21 June 2008.
Yakety yak, do talk back on the ‘wonder wire’
Wanganui telephone exchange. Wanganui Chronicle, 14 June 2008.
Can’t get no liquefaction?
Cobham Bridge seismic protection project. Wanganui Chronicle, 7 June 2008.
Steam Clean
e.nz magazine, May 2008
How to get water uphill … with style
Bastia Hill Water Tower. Wanganui Chronicle, 31 May 2008.
Plug-in personality
How traffic lights work. Wanganui Chronicle, 24 May 2008.
How to engineer a bigger splash
Development of the Splash Centre extension. Wanganui Chronicle, 17 May 2008.
Caring for our heritage
Profile of Michelle Horwood, curator of the Whanganui Regional Museum. Wanganui Chronicle, 10 May 2008.
Policy of avoidance of flood risks
Flood protection for Wanganui, and stopbank design. Wanganui Chronicle, 3 May 2008.
The Moles, and a Dynamic Coastline
Wanganui Chronicle, 26 April 2008.
A world first for Wanganui Hospital
Ro-gliders provide innovative seismic protection. Wanganui Chronicle, 19 April 2008.
Splendid Isolation
e.nz magazine, March 2008
Engineering a Rainbow Nation
e.nz magazine, January 2008
Wanganui’s Innovative Wastewater Upgrade
Article describing development and construction of Wanganui’s wastewater treatment facility. World Water and Environmental Engineering magazine, WEF UK, 2008.
River Story
e.nz magazine, September 2007
Karen Wrigglesworth 