PhD Research Inspires Academic’s Debut Novel

Dr Anne Bradley, Principal Academic Staff Member – Postgraduate at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology’s Tauranga campus, will release her debut novel next week.

Titled The Water in the Night, the story follows Mariana, a French woman who travels to Aotearoa New Zealand in search of a new life. Living on a boat, she forms new friendships and slowly uncovers the history of a nearby hapū who were displaced many years earlier.

Anne began writing the novel as the creative component of her PhD, A place to stand: Exploring connections between immigrant experience, whakapapa and creative writing. Completed in 2024, Anne says her thesis explored how “narratives and indigenous storytelling across generations can be powerful, rigorous and true.”

The Water in the Night is set in a fictional location inspired by places Anne has lived in and visited across the North Island since moving to New Zealand from the UK more than 30 years ago.

“The landscape plays a central role in the story, drawing on concepts from te ao Māori,” Anne says.  

“There are references to Te Puna, Mount Maunganui and other coastal areas… Mariana grapples with identity, loss and belonging as she begins to understand the deeper histories of the place she has moved to. The book explores the growing awareness that comes from looking backwards to move forwards.”

Anne joined legacy institute, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, 30 years ago as a tourism tutor, before becoming Programme Manager - Travel and Tourism and later teaching the New Zealand Diploma in Business programme at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology. Now, as a Principal Academic Staff Member – Postgraduate, Anne says the institute’s strong support for professional development has shaped her academic journey.

“I’m a firm believer in lifelong learning, and Toi Ohomai has continually encouraged me to extend my skills and grow academically. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to complete two master’s degrees, a PhD, and present my research internationally. These experiences directly support my teaching, and in my current role I can grow understanding among ākonga (learners) and kaimahi (staff) of non-traditional research and study pathways,” she says.

The Water in the Night incorporates both English and te reo Māori, including bilingual chapter titles. A karakia by Kimberly Rangiahua opens the novel, and the cover was designed by designer Daniela Gast at boutique publisher, Lasavia Publishing. 

From Tuesday 31 March, The Water in the Night will be available to purchase online across major book retailers, such as Amazon.