I am presently the Chief Science Adviser to the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment in Wellington. 

During my research career, my interests focused on active geological deformation that affects the continental shelf and deep ocean floor around New Zealand, and the resources associated with it. It ranges from active plate boundaries deformation, investigating active fault mechanisms and earthquake history; studying tsunami generation and their impact on the coast; the development of new methodologies of mapping of benthic habitats and substrates and the impact of anthropogenic activities on the benthic environment.

I joined NIWA in 1998 and led the Marine Geological Processes and Resources programme which focuses on the deformation that affects the seafloor using remote sensing data, including seismic reflection, seafloor backscatter and water column imaging. One key research project was on building a record of past earthquakes along the Hikurangi margin using the sedimentological record. 

I have led projects in the Southwest Pacific region, Europe, USA and Australia, and have been chief scientist on several geophysical voyages in high seas around New Zealand on New Zealand flagship R.V. Tangaroa and other foreign vessels. 

I obtained a PhD from the University of Grenoble France in 1987, after which I came for a post-doc in Wellington.