Michael Ponder

Mike Ponder was born and raised in Lower Hutt. For the past 35 years he has lived in Marlborough at the top of the South Island.
Over the years Mike has written and published three bestselling books on his art. Textured Colour, My Way - A Touch of red, and Oil on Canvas.  
In 1998 his book ‘The Good Oil’ was released. It dealt with growing olives and making olive oil in New Zealand, and it was an instant success.
His first novel ‘The Windsor Conspiracy’ was published by Random House in 2007 Its international success led to an Hungarian translation a year later. The explosive sequel, ‘Four Kings, was published in 2012. His third novel ‘For Queen and Empire’ is due to be released in late 2016.
Mikes other interests include painting, grape growing, forestry and a Shorthorn cattle stud. He is married to Di and has two daughters. 

Four Kings

From the author of The Windsor Conspiracy comes a tale of deceit, corruption and greed, deepening the mystery behind Royal involvement in world affairs. Fans of the Windsor Conspiracy will welcome back familiar characters while for new readers this stand-alone story will take them from Zimbabwe to Niger Delta, the slums of Harare and in the Australian outback to undercover shocking secrets.
Zimbabwean Gus McKenzie’s land, Four Kings - won in a card game by his grandfather - is ravaged by looters and murderers after Mugabe decrees all white-owned farms will be resettled. Gus, left with nothing, vows to destroy those responsible for ruining his life. But who was responsible?Was it Mugabe, or was he a mere pawn in an international plot? Was the land taken for resettlement, or was there a more sinister reason? And why did the British not intervene?
In Four Kings the reader is treated to suspense piled on suspense from this masterful story teller, who adds another twist with every page. Four Kings is published by Tangerine Publications.

"Hi Mike. Just wanted to tell you how much i enjoyed your book "Four Kings". It was a super read and has all the makings of being a best seller. I found it more exciting than a James Patterson novel, or Stuart Wood. Now I have to read book one. Thankyou for writing such a fast paced and believable story, it kept me well entertained for a few hours. Love your paintings too, you clever man. All the best. Wayne"

The Windsor Conspiricy

Is Prince Charles really a Windsor? Was the Queen Mother an evil manipulator? Find out the conspiracy behind Britain's Royal Family ...
Has the monarchy’s lust for power gone too far?
The severed finger of a kidnapped man is mailed to newspaper journalist Joanna Doyle, with a note claiming the victim is none other than H.R.H. Prince Charles. As she has just watched an interview with him live on television, Joanna refuses to take the note seriously. Why then the interest of the Secret Service? Why do they demand she relinquish the finger send note to them? Why, only hours later, is she brutally murdered? And why does the Royal Air Force dispatch a Harrier jet fighter to intercept the trawler in which the kidnap victim is being held captive?
Security expert Simon Dwyer is hired to uncover the truth in this fast-paced thriller full of intrigue and suspense. From the vastness and hostility of the Australian outback, to a medieval castle protected by 1000 feet of sheer rock and the crack troops of the 12th Scottish Regiment, every page brings another twist.
This is the first book of a trilogy, followed by Four Kings. The third book soon to be published.
Each book can be read as a standalone story.
Published by Random House

My Way - A Touch of Red

In "My Way - a Touch of Red", Mike Ponder gives an insight into his artistic career from the early beginnings to the flourishing success of the 90's. The 70 page book graphically shows over 30 examples of his recent works in both oil and watercolour highlighting the texture and detail that makes his work truly unique.

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Oil on Canvas

This book is lavishly illustrated with Mike's recent paintings plus a few early works never before seen in print, and is supported with photographs by Alan Voyce that have captured the essence of the High Country.


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The Good Oil

Mike Ponder, New Zealand's pioneer olive grower and oil producer, cuts through the mystique and traditions of growing olives and gives the reader an easy to follow, step-by-step background to their cultivation, covering all aspects from choosing the right site to pressing the oil. This book is also a valuable record of the first decade of modern olive growing in New Zealand, recording the hope, the excitement, and the disappointments.