Growing up in Southland, I was always curious about how the world worked. This curiosity led me to study Politics, Economics and English at the University of Otago. I then worked at the New Zealand Treasury, where I was a macro-economist.

As a graduate in economics and politics, and having worked in this sector, I channelled my curiosity further by completing a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism at the University of Canterbury. After winning the Robert Bell Travelling Scholarship in Journalism, where I looked into the argument that “rugby was a religion” I travelled to London, UK, where I spent 18.5 years.I worked for several organisations, such as Euromoney Institutional Investor and the Institute of Financial Services, which is now part of the City of London business school.I have dual citizenship – New Zealand and the UK.

After the UK, I spent 8.5 years in the Middle East. I lived in Dubai, and worked for a national newspaper, Khaleej Times, and then was head of Mergermarket, an online publication focusing on M&A, that was then part of the Financial Times Group.

Initially, I started my journalistic career pursuing relatively small stories, such as in the retail and then the leasing sectors,but I always loved the challenge of breaking down complex financial news into stories that anyone could understand. My writing was recognized for its ability to demystify complex financial topics. I wrote weekly columns.

Over time, I expanded my journalistic horizons by writing for larger, national publications, covering major financial events, and interviewing key figures in the industry. My journey has been a rewarding one, marked by continuous learning and growth. I remain as committed as ever to my mission: to make finance understandable and engaging for all.

I have travelled to about 90 countries with my work and for enjoyment too. In 2019, I spent 10 months in Vietnam, teaching English and travelling to other countries around the region. I am writing about my journey as a financial journalist, building on my success co-writing a book; “SeniorITy: how AI and tech can enhance senior living”, which is highlighted on this website.

My time in the Middle East inspired me to work with disenfranchised people, who are often refugees. In 2014/15 I made a documentary before the refugee crisis had really happened. It was entitled: “Stepping up: NZ’s response to the refugee crisis”. I have also co-written a number of books on the subject.

Recently I was a judge for the South Pacific Film Festival. http://www.southpacificfilmfestival.com/

I play croquet regularly, go to the gym and am a member of Zonta International. This is an organisation that comprises women and girls and which envisions a world in which women’s rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential. In such a world, women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men. In such a world, no woman lives in fear of violence.

I am also an entrepreneur, having founded Lucia Dore Consultancy and Behavioural Shift. I am also seeking financing for a mediatech platform, Bizdore Ltd.