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Growing up on the Tāwharanui Peninsula, Winston Cowie developed a love of the ocean and natural world that would eventually take him to the deserts, mountains and coral reefs of the Arabian Peninsula.
Now, after 16 years living and working in the Middle East, the former Matakana and Warkworth primary schools’ student has published a memoir documenting his adventures and conservation work.
Kiwi to the Kingdoms: New Zealand to Blue Arabia was recently launched in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Cowie spoke about his experiences at Westlake Boys High School during a recent visit to New Zealand.
Cowie, whose parents Mike and Sue still live at Campbells Beach, initially trained as a lawyer. However, after deciding corporate life was not for him, he pursued environmental studies at Oxford University before embarking on a career in marine conservation.
Since then, he has travelled across 50 countries and all seven continents, led Antarctic expeditions and spent much of his adult life exploring Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar.
His memoir combines personal adventures with insights into the region’s wildlife, landscapes and communities.
Cowie is particularly passionate about the Arabian Peninsula’s marine ecosystems, including the Red Sea’s spectacular coral reefs. He believes the region deserves greater international recognition for its biodiversity and conservation efforts.
“I want readers to visit and experience the Arabia that I have come to know – its mountains, reefs, deserts, wildlife and people – not the headlines,” he says.
The idea for the book emerged around a campfire three years ago, when Cowie began writing short stories about his adventures.
He hopes his experiences will encourage others to pursue their ambitions and appreciate the natural environment.
“If one person is inspired to chase their dreams or simply appreciate their own region’s natural heritage a little more, then I will consider my book a success.”
The book can be purchased via: https://winstncowiebooks.com/
Book Giveaway
Mahurangi Matters has a copy of Winston Cowie’s book to give away. To enter, email gm@localmatters.co.nz with Kiwi to the Kingdoms in the subject line. Please include daytime phone number and your suburb. Competition closes at midday on November 16.
