Peter Laurenson is father to Ben, Ed and Will and partner to Catherine Johnston. Peter had a career in marketing management, including periods with the NZ Tourism Board and the eco-sanctuary Zealandia. More recently marketing work has given way to tramping, mountaineering, photography and writing.
Since 2019, he has been editor of the Federated Mountain Clubs’ Backcountry (which includes judging the annual photo competition) and writes for Wilderness magazine and other publications.
As well as his most recent book, Aotearoa Light: Moments of wonder and realisation in New Wilderness, Peter has written KHUMBU: Gateway to Mount Everest, pathways to kinship, (2021, Bateman Books and mountain and adventure heritage winner, NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival 2022) and OCCASIONAL CLIMBER: A Journey to Mount Clarity, (2013). Peter also created and runs www.occasionalclimber.co.nz, which features his outdoor and travel adventures – a helpful source of information about tramps and climbs in Aotearoa and beyond.