GW COOK

As you may be aware, I have recently started writing on Substack. I have mixed feelings about the platform, largely due to its increased alignment with other algorithmically controlled social media sites. That said, I have met some like-minded writers there and readers who are willing to share constructive feedback on occasion.  Some of my most popular posts have been examples of my 'nature poetry'. After a period of convalescence following a nasty bout of bronchitis, I did some serious soul-searching and decided to make a concerted effort with my poetry. I've written poetry for years and had the occasional piece published in various literary journals, but my goal for 2027 is to get a collection published by a reputable international publishing house. If any agents are interested in my work, please get in touch via my contact page. A recent Substack interaction added some extra motivation to my goal in the form of a review by fellow Substacker,  Graeme McAllister. This revi...

In Speechless (Lasavia Publishing, October 2025), New Zealand novelist and poet Mike  Johnson delivers a book that deserves to be read. It is a coming-of-age narrative infused  with magical realism and prose so rich and emotive that it clings to the reader’s imagination.  What binds the story together is love, not only between two people, but between a man  and the power of language itself. As a child, Michael Paewai Meer encounters the enigmatic and otherworldly ‘Word Bringer’.  This visionary experience awakens in him a lifelong obsession with the symbolic power of  words. From that moment, language shapes and shadows his journey to adulthood. Words  become the life-force of his emotions, the key to his connection with both fantasy and  reality, until he reaches a final, transcendent silence that is both inevitable and liberating. Johnson writes with a lyricism that unsettles and consoles in equal measure. His prose shifts  effortlessly fr...

Today marks the end of New Zealand’s Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, but for me, mental health isn’t something to focus on once a year — it’s an everyday practice. Over the years, I’ve battled with stress, anxiety, and negative thought patterns. Like many, I’ve learned the hard way that managing your mind is just as important as looking after your body. That’s why I’ve created a free booklet called THE POWER OF TEN – Mastering Calm and Control with Simple Breathing and Mindfulness Methods . It’s based on my own journey and the simple, evidence-based techniques that helped me regain calm and control — things like mindful breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and cognitive reframing. Here’s what you’ll learn: • How to use breathing techniques to calm your mind and body in stressful moments • Simple steps to manage negative thoughts and build emotional resilience • CBT-based tools to break anxiety cycles • A practical action plan you can use every day I’m sharing this resource t...

According to a recent report prepared for Waihanga Ara Rau, New Zealand’s Construction and Infrastructure Workforce Development Council, the New Zealand construction industry faces significant challenges, including an ageing workforce and skilled workers leaving for other sectors or overseas jobs. The research shows that many people lack awareness of career opportunities in the construction sector and often view construction trades as unattractive career choices, especially from within the millennial demographic. Millennials aged 26 to 44 who were surveyed commonly viewed construction jobs as unattractive compared to jobs in other areas, such as engineering, business, law and government. They tended to believe that a lack of fitness or strength and insufficient math or science skills were significant barriers to working in the construction industry. This report and other research highlight that while a construction career is seen as a financially beneficial and valid profession, roles ...