He embarked on a creative journey, initially as a commercial artist and photographer, before venturing into the New Zealand film industry in the late 1970s, where he began his career as a skilled boom operator.
As the years went by, he progressed to become an assistant director, honing his expertise and building a solid foundation for his future endeavors.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he made a significant impact in the commercial world, directing numerous international award-winning commercials for a decade.
In addition to his commercial success, he also ventured into television, directing several TV series and laying the groundwork for his future feature film projects.
His first feature film, the critically acclaimed "Once Were Warriors," was released in 1994 and received widespread recognition, including the prestigious PEN First Book Award.
