After an extensive career in Asia, Dr Alistair Watts returned to his native New Zealand to study and write about his home country from an outsider's perspective. Using comprehensive archival and newspaper sources, he has re-investigated the origins of the New Zealand nation state from a fresh perspective that moves beyond the traditional bicultural view prevalent in the current New Zealand historiography. Dr Watts holds a PhD in history and qualifications in agricultural science and business. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand.