Behind the scenes

PAST: Born in Johannesburg, when the city was known as the murder capital of the world, Claire grew up in a tumultuous era for South Africa when the shifting political sands touched all citizens’ lives. Those were dynamic, energetic days of flux: between fierce debates at university parties, she studied copywriting and, in her spare time, wrote long, angst- driven poetry. When she secured her first job at an advertising agency, she was thrilled.

“I used my first paycheque to buy a horse — a longheld childhood dream,” she remembers. An article for the agency newsletter, ingloriously titled Tits & Bums in Industrial Advertising, catapulted her to a new path: editorial journalism. By the age of 21, she was working at a women’s magazine as a feature writer. In 1993, she arrived in New Zealand for a holiday; she was inspired by its diverse landscapes and the feeling of freedom — and stayed.

PRESENT: Claire lives in Auckland with her partner James, an aviation artist, and works from the dining table (don’t all freelancers?). “I get occasional time out for good behaviour to go for a run, visit the gym, head to the beach or order a sneaky cheese scone at the Pt Chev Beach Café.” Her son, Freeman, is a second-year university student who is studying journalism as part of a conjoint degree. Claire is currently managing editor of our sister title Nadia: A Seasonal Journal but continues to write about architecture and design for several publications. She also loves her forays into the lifestyles of New Zealanders and enjoyed her trip to Taihape to interview Andrew and Meredith Carpenter on Ruanui Station (see story, page 32).

FUTURE: A sabbatical! In early May, Claire and James embark on an adventure of a lifetime — a 3000km journey walking the length of France on the newly minted HexaTrek. “We have our backpacks ready and a tent and have downloaded the app,” she says. “We’re walking from Wissembourg on the border with Germany through the Vosges, Alps and Pyrenees.” After that, it’s just a gentle stroll across the south of France to the small village of Hendaye, where the hike ends on the Atlantic coast. Find Claire — and follow her journey — on Instagram @clairemccall10