Annette Harris

Annette was born in Hastings and educated at Mangateretere School and Karamu High School. She continued her studies at CIT and Massey University, gaining a Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Counselling (Kaupapa Māori), a Diploma of Psychotherapy and completing four post grad papers in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. She is also a qualified systems management auditor. Annette has worked for Te Runanganui O Ngāti Kahungunu Inc. and was Office Manager for Ihi Consultants. She is an alcohol and drug counsellor, therapist and trainer, and is Programme Deliverer for Psychological Services at the Department of Corrections.

Annette has attended a “Writing for Your Grandchildren” workshop and has won a short story award with Huia Publications. She is currently enrolled in a creative writing course with NZ Institute of Business Studies.

She writes: “I am the eldest of eight and have five children plus several mokopuna. I play netball and love it. I work in the alcohol and drug field and recently completed formal training in psychotherapy. My main interest at present is in the development of whanau, hapu and iwi and as the Chairperson of the Tamatea Rugby Football Club my focus remains at the grassroots. And within all of that emerge lots of lovely stories.”

Biographical sources

• Correspondence from Annette Harris, 19 May 2004.
• Huia Short Stories 1997. Wellington, N.Z.: Huia, 1997. 178.