Rowley Habib grew up in Oruanui on the outskirts of Taupo, he attended Te Aute Boys College where his writing was encouraged by his peers. A writer, poet and playwright Rowley was the first maori writer to write a drama for television, what eventuated was The Gathering. Rowley talks about the many people who encouraged his writing, his childhood and how he honed his craft by reading all the classic novels.