Growing Tall Poppies Excellence in Top New Zealanders By Michele Cox Paperback, 2004 , 216 pages, very good condition

Growing Tall Poppies is a motivational and inspirational resource for New Zealanders who wish to achieve excellence. The book is the result of the author's view that a trend towards a culture focused on participation rather than winning has inadvertently developed over the past decade or so. Led by the media, the nation is continuous in its search for examples of born and bred excellence whose success we are now encouraged to emulate. The book will provide clear direction in this regard, at the same time giving valuable insight into traits and strategies that can lead to excellence. Michele Cox has interviewed 21 remarkable New Zealanders for this book, from a wide variety of fields including sport, arts, business, military, education, law, media, farming and hospitality. Among them are basketball coach Tab Baldwin, fashion designer Trelise Cooper, cricketer Martin Crowe, Maori 'social entrepreneur' Dame Georgina Kirby, runner Allison Roe, businesswoman Lisa Er, television presenter Susan Wood, businessman and benefactor Sir Clifford Skeggs, restaurateur Judith Tabron, lawyer David Jones, Cambridge High principal Allison Annan and Major General Jerry Mateparae. In line with the theme of excellence, not all the subjects are high profile but all have admirable qualities and great stories.