Author Richard Cato was born and raised in Te Kuiti. He was educated at Pio Pio Primary School and New Plymouth Boys’ High School. He began farming west of Te Kuiti in 1970, then moved to Ohaupo with his wife and family where they grew cut flowers, exporting them to the world. Retiring to Te Awamutu has given Richard more time to pursue his writing.
This interest grew from conversations with his elderly aunts and his father’s ability to write short (unpublished) stories. Wanting to share this knowledge, Richard has written four family books and one for another family.
Richard writes, designs, and formats all his own work, which is diligently checked by his wife, Judy, and journalist friend, Kingsley Field, before publication.
The recent discovery of tape recordings made by his father, Colin, of World War II adventures, has extended Richard’s interest in the 27th Machine Gun Battalion’s exploits from that tumultuous time.
