Halina Ogonowska - Coates is a writer, filmmaker, broadcaster and oral historian. Born in New Zealand to a Polish mother and a New Zealand father, she has Masters degree (Hons) in New Zealand History from Canterbury University and lives in Sumner, Christchurch. Her work includes touring exhibitions, film and radio documentaries. In 2005 she won the Qantas Media Award for Best Radio Documentary and in 2006 was awarded a Media Peace Award. In 2007 she received a New Zealand Mental Health Foundation Media Award and is currently working on a project associated with this award.