Meet the Team

NICOLE MILLER is a mother of two, primary school teacher and author. After receiving a Bachelor of Teaching at Waikato University, she spent five years travelling and teaching in the United Arab Emirates. In 2017 Nicole become a solo mother to her two young children. It was during this challenging time that she began writing children's stories and songs as a creative outlet for healing and for enjoyment, but most of all, to entertain her children. In 2019 Nicole was finalised for the Joy Cowley Award for the manuscript, Celia Seagull and the Plastic Sea.

LILY UIVEL is a freelance illustrator who lives in Wellington. She graduated from Elam School of Fine Arts in 2015 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours). Since then, she has worked across multiple creatives industries, including publishing, advertising, design and the film industry.

SOPHIA AND ANNA EGAN-REID (publishing duo and sisters) are the proud ‘parents’ of children’s imprint Little Love. Life-long readers, Sophia and Anna were born into the family publishing business Mary Egan Publishing, formerly Egan Reid Limited. Sophia is a publisher and project manager; Anna, an award-winning designer.

THE BOBBY STAFFORD BUSH FOUNDATION was formed in Auckland in 2013 as a ‘living inheritance’ and is a registered Charitable Trust. The Foundation aims to help, support and give opportunity to young people and community groups who likewise have a desire, a passion, or objective. The Foundation have generously funded the production of Celia Seagull and the Plastic Sea, and are providing free copies to New Zealand Public Libraries and School Libraries in support of Plastic Free July 2021.