Speaker, Author, Guide

For two decades Gary Cook has pioneered successful fund-raising for charitable organizations, while producing entertaining theatre programmes for the young people of the Auckland region. He is a multi-talented enthusiast -- a prolific journalist, speaker, business leader, health professinal, researcher and explorer --devoted to uncovering the mysteries of New Zealand's past and educating for our collective well-being.

Gary is the co-founder of Good Company Pacific and a valued mentor in the development of the New Life Skills training. He has been honoured internationally for his achievements, including an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the Open International Universtiy of Complementary Medicine.

He is a fellow of the American Biographical Institute and Secretary General of the United Cultural Convention. He is the author of "The People Before" and "Journeys into the Mystery," which review evidence of New Zealand's earlier inhabitants. Gary is truly at home in the field, as a guide and explorer with Good Company's travel programmes, "Journeys into the Secret Land" and "The Fellowship of Aotearoa."

Gary has a passion for getting to the core of New Zealand's hidden history, and is among a new wave of researchers, historians and anthropologists who are rewriting the mainstream version of New Zealand's "prehistory." He imparts a special atmosphere to his lively and colourfully illustrated travelogues.