About Nigel
Nigel is the second oldest of a family of four and was born in Oamaru on the East Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. Oamaru was, he says, an “interesting” place to grow up. At age eighteen he left home to study at the University of Otago gaining a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, and then a Master of Science in Marine Science.
In 1990, whilst he should have been working on his marine science master’s thesis, he had a brief foray into the world of rock and roll, playing and touring with the world-famous-in-some-parts-of-Dunedin Gavin Thornton’s Steam Injected Band. This was a six piece skiffle band (ukulele’s, tea-chest bass, washboards etc). Gavin’s was huge on the Dunedin busking scene and their gigs included the Telethon bomb scare, the Otago Daily Times Children’s Christmas party, the Alexandra Blossom festival, and a pub in Invercargill. The band broke up following a wildly successful South Island tour on the 1st of January 1991.
At this point he faced a tough decision: either get a real job or find something else to study. It’s no surprise then that he subsequently enrolled at the University of Auckland to train as a Clinical Psychologist. He graduated with a Master of Philosophy with First Class Honors in Psychology, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology.
His professional experience to date reflects a dual interest in both forensic psychology and working with young people and their families. In recent years he has developed an increasing specialty and passion for working with kids in the ‘too-hard’ basket.
Nigel has been in private practice for the last thirteen years having finally accepted the fact that working in organizations just wasn’t for him. The deciding factor was sitting in a staff meeting so inane and trivial that he found himself wishing for death. This, on reflection, didn’t seem like a great way to spend his time.
In addition to working with literally thousands of families over the past seventeen years, he also consults with a range of private and public organizations from throughout New Zealand including social service agencies, sex offender treatment programs, prisons, the Department of Corrections, the New Zealand Police and Child Youth and Family Services. He is a sought after trainer and speaker
In December 2004 Nigel and his family moved from Auckland to Dunedin in search of better parking and a view of the sea. Whilst he continues to work with families, teach, and consult with organizations from throughout the country, he now spends less time stuck in traffic and more time enjoying the many and varied wonders of the South Island of New Zealand. Kayaking around the Otago coastline is a particular passion.
He also wonders why -- when it is patently obvious on most websites that a person is writing their own bio -- they tend to do it in third person. "I suppose," he says, leaning nonchalantly back in the seat behind the ridiculously ostentatious oak desk that used to belong to Donald Trump, "it's just one of those things."
As we speak there is a knock at the door. In walks a tall, solidly built man in a black suit, and dark shades. A Secret Service radio earpiece completes the picture nicely.
'President Obama, needs you again, Mr Latta.'
Nigel looks at me apologetically as he dons his Bat Cape and mask. 'Sorry,' he says, 'but when the leader of the free world calls what can you do?"
It's a bloody good question.