Renting a room with a view of the ocean proved the perfect inspiration for Wellington writer Shona Riddell to start typing up a history book about New Zealand’s wild and remote subantarctic islands. Embarking on her dream of researching and writing also led to a life-changing expedition to the Auckland Islands, which are 460km south of Invercargill, uninhabited, and reached by ship.

Formerly a journalist, content marketer, project manager and English teacher (not all at once), Shona took up her Bayview tenancy in 2016 to concentrate on her own writing. Her workspace is minimalist chic, with a desk, chair, computer, and an armchair for visitors. But who needs more when you have an ever-changing harbour view?

“It’s a peaceful and inspiring place to work,” she says. “Everyone here is doing something cool and interesting, and, importantly, there’s great coffee just down the driveway.”

Shona’s next book, ‘Trial of Strength’, will be on sale from October 2018 (Exisle Publishing).