Ines was born of Dutch/French parentage, growing up during World War II with music and literature a great part of her upbringing. She emigrated to New Zealand in May 1956 as an assisted Government ...view moreInes was born of Dutch/French parentage, growing up during World War II with music and literature a great part of her upbringing. She emigrated to New Zealand in May 1956 as an assisted Government immigrant, leaving unsolved family problems behind. Her knowledge of English was scant but through reading and attending night classes she learned to master a new language. Writing came much later in life when her marriage ended and she came to live in lower Northland. Joining a writing group set her on the right path. She wrote book reviews and newsletters, short stories for competitions and attended correspondence writing courses and so the fictional story of Waihau, The Harbour and its people was born. She has three adult children and four grandchildren.view less