About Rebecca

From sailing to a lifestyle block, writing all the way...

Rebecca Hayter loves to write and was armed with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, a Diploma in Short Story Writing and a Certificate in Journalism before landing her first story for Boating New Zealand.

As yachting editor, later editor, of Boating New Zealand from 1998 to 2008, and from 2013 to 2015, she covered hundreds of new boats built in New Zealand and overseas, including highly technical superyachts. She has written for some of the world's most esteemed yachting publications including Boat International, UK; Supersail World, UK; YachtingWorld, UK; Yachts International, USA; Practical Boat Owner, UK, and wrote a daily blog and technical articles for Northsails.com, USA through the 2021 America's Cup. And loved it!

But thanks to her extensive training in writing, her keyboard is highly adaptable in topic and writing styles. Over 30 years, she's written for a wide range of magazines including North & South, NZ Life & Leisure, Wilderness, Skysport and The Shed.

In 2015, Rebecca left the Auckland city life to buy a lifestyle property in Golden Bay which she named Oceanspirit. In 2017 Rebecca sailed from UK to Greenland with Whitbread Round the World Race winner Ross Field and wrote Wild Seas to Greenland, (Oceanspirit Publishing). Back on the farm, Rebecca's column, High Heels and Gumboots for North & South won Best Columnist of the Year 2020 and inspired her sixth book, High Heels and Gumboots (HarperCollins 2025).

Writing Awards

MAGAZINE MEDIA AWARDS

2006 Editor of the Year - Supreme Overall Winner, Boating New Zealand

Judges' comments:

'Shares her audience's passion for the subject but has a wonderful ability to make boating interesting to a broad audience. Draws into the title a wide range of stories from practical to inspirational - a talented editor.'

2006 Editor of the Year - Special Interest, Boating New Zealand
2006 Magazine of the Year - Special Interest, Boating New Zealand
2011 Journalist of the Year - Special Interest, Boating New Zealand
2011 Journalist of the Year - Consumer Publishing, Alive magazine
2012 Journalist of the Year - Consumer Publishing, SkySport

Judges' comments:

'Punchy openers, inspiring stories –

believable and well-paced.

Well structured and impeccably researched and very well presented.'

2012 Graeme Lay Short Story Competition, Highly Commended

2013 Journalist of the Year - Lifestyle, NZ Life and Leisure

2014 Editor of the Year - Special Interest, Boating New Zealand

2014 Magazine of the Year - Special Interest, Boating New Zealand

2015 Journalist of the Year, Highly Commended - Boating New Zealand

2016 Journalist of the Year, Highly Commended - Boating New Zealand

2017 Journalist of the Year - Special Interest - Boating New Zealand and Wilderness magazines

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES TRAVCOM MEDIA AWARDS

2019 Best International Story - Highly Commended

- North and South magazine

2020 Best Columnist/Blogger (High Heels and Gumboots) - North and South magazine

Judges comments:

Rebecca Hayter’s portfolio of cleverly crafted columns provides pleasure in small but well-told stories, whether taking readers on a journey from fear to fruition (playing midwife to a ewe), or melancholy to optimism (the rejuvenation of a drought-stricken wetland). She shares her life in rural New Zealand with wit and warmth, and isn’t afraid to marinate in a mustard and herb poultice when needs must.

Books by Rebecca Hayter

Endless Summer – the Penny Whiting story (HarperCollins 2000)

Oceans Alone - Chris Sayer's solo adventures on the high seas (HarperCollins 2003)

What You Wish For – one man's journey through life, death and alternative therapies

co-written with the late Paul Blacklow, (Blacklow Education Trust 2009)

Wild Seas to Greenland - a sailing adventure with ocean racer Ross Field (Oceanspirit Publishing 2021)

Storms Ahead – Rick Dodson: America's Cup champion to Paralympian (Oceanspirit Publishing 2023)

High Heels and Gumboots – a city girl and a lot to learn (HarperCollins 2025)