Ron Crosby
Blenheim historian Ron Crosby is well known for his history books including The Musket Wars, Te Kooti’s Last Foray and NZSAS: The First Fifty Years. He enjoyed a long career as a lawyer and was a member of the Waitangi Tribunal for 13 years. Ron’s interest in te ao Māori is reinforced by his whānau relationships arising from his wife Margy’s whakapapa to Te Rarawa and Te Aupōuri. Ron’s association with the New Zealand Special Air Service began when he was invited to write the history of the Regiment’s first 50 years. His personal values and experiences hunting and tramping in the New Zealand wilderness helped him to connect with and win the trust of current and former NZSAS members, to be able to tell powerful stories, from Afghanistan to Whakaari.
2026 festival sessions
Unforeseen Consequences
Ron Crosby in conversation with Peter Anderson
1.30pm-2.30pm, Sunday 26 July, Whitehaven Theatre Marlborough, $25
Ron reflects on the unforeseen consequences that led to his two latest books: Keep Calm – We’re Coming: The NZSAS in Action in Afghanistan, 2009–2021, published by Oratia in April, and Lucky You’re Tough, out 18 August. The latter is written in association with Mark Law and published by Allen & Unwin.
With hindsight, Ron says both books feel like natural next steps, grounded in relationships built over time and strengthened by shared values, connections, and the trust of those who have entrusted him with their stories.
Keep Calm – We’re Coming takes readers behind the lines of the New Zealand Special Air Service during its later deployments in Afghanistan. Drawing on extensive interviews and research, the book sets the context of the NZSAS role within Coalition forces supporting the Afghan government, before focusing on four high-risk engagements. Ron shares first-hand accounts from soldiers involved in three terrorist attacks in Kabul between 2009 and 2012, as well as the evacuation of New Zealanders from Kabul Airport in 2021.
Lucky You're Tough chronicles the early life of White Island rescue helicopter pilot and NZSAS operator Mark Law, from growing up in the rural wilds of Whangamōmona through to surviving a series of life-threatening events that would shape his life and career.
PaperPlus Blenheim will be selling Keep Calm - We’re Coming and taking pre-orders of Lucky You’re Tough at their festival pop-up store across the weekend.
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