About Michael

History has always fascinated me, and my first memory of developing interest in this subject was visiting Rotorua as a child – learning about the 1886 Tarawera eruption and the destruction of the famous Pink and White Terraces. I also had an inspirational history teacher at Havelock North High School. However, I followed my father into the field of accounting and qualified as a chartered accountant (CA).

In 2004, while working as an accounting lecturer, I was at a function in which several 80-plus accountants spoke of the early days of the profession in Hawke’s Bay.  This piqued my interest and triggered the idea of writing a book on the history of accounting in Hawke’s Bay. The result, From Inkwells to Emails, was published in 2005.  This was the start of my twin career as an author.  There’s more on my past and present work, research and ideas on the Current Projects page.

My passion is Hawke’s Bay history, so my work is confined to this beautiful province only.

I have a publishing company called Michael Fowler Publishing Limited, which undertakes my commercial work, from writing to printing, and a vital part of my team is my editor, Wellington-based Gillian Christie.  

I am a member of the Professional Historians Association of New Zealand (PHANZ).