Beginningasacommercialartistandphotographer,hejoinedtheNewZealandfilmindustryinthelate1970sasaboomoperator.Hebecameanassistantdirectoradecadelater.Makinginternationalaward-winningcommercialsfor10years,hehasalsodirectedseveralTVseries.Hisfirstfeaturefilm,OnceWereWarriors(1994),wonthePENFirstBookAward.