Vivienne Allan was born in Invercargill. Formerly a journalist, she is the author of several books about New Zealand and New Zealanders, including, Go Home and Cook a Meal: A biography of Mollie McGrade Clark; Nurse Maude: The first 100 years; A New Way of Living: The history of the Spinal Injuries Unit in Christchurch, and Creating a Legacy of Social Housing: The story of Housing New Zealand's five-year repair and rebuild programme following the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes in Christchurch and greater Canterbury. She lives in Christchurch.