Mob: 07943090042
[email protected]

Work Experience:

Sam Weir Freelance Ltd.

Oct 09 – Present
I began working as a freelance journalist and photographer in October 2009 as a means of beginning my career as a journalist. Since starting Sam Weir Freelance Ltd I have reported from nations including Afghanistan and Zimbabwe and I’ve been published in a number of magazines and newspapers throughout the world. I was one of the few freelance journalists in Zimbabwe during June and July of 2010 while the Kimberley Process meetings in Tel Aviv and St Petersburg were taking place. During this time I conducted an investigation into the conditions at the Marange diamond mines and the corruption involved in the smuggling of the diamonds. The articles I produced, published under the name of ‘Sam Gregory’, were well circulated throughout the United States, Zimbabwe, New Zealand and a number of other countries. I used a false name for safety reasons and would be happy to provide hard copies/links to websites. The articles were published by the American magazines World Tribune, In These Times and Toward Freedom and were also published in Zimbabwe by The Zimbabwe Telegraph, The Zimbabwe Mail and The Zimbabwe Independent. Links to the articles were also provided on the USA Today website as well as The Dallas Times, The Times of India and a number of others.

My most recent trip was to Afghanistan where I spent three weeks of October 2010. I wrote a feature on the plight of Afghanistan’s youth and interviewed New Zealand’s ambassador to Afghanistan. Both of these pieces will soon be published in The Dominion Post- a New Zealand newspaper. Once again I’d be happy to provide hard copy of these articles. I also took a number of photos in Afghanistan which will likely be published along with the articles.

Glo Restaurant Group Ltd.

Apr 09 – Nov 09
I moved to London in early 2009 and began working for Glo restaurants at their London Bridge based head office in April. I worked as an administrator and book keeper. Glo is a China based company which owns a number of restaurants throughout London and Asia. My main tasks were ordering and buying products for each restaurant based on need, distribution of these orders and helping out the head accountant which included appraising the performances of individual restaurants.

Carnoustie Management Ltd.

Jul 07 – Dec 08
In this role I gained experience in business development. Carnoustie Management is a family business in the construction management, construction law, property development and quantity surveying industries. In the last five years Carnoustie has become one of the most successful consultancies in its field in Auckland. Whilst there my responsibilities included client liaison (maintaining relationships with clients, discussing expectations etc.), marketing (advertising in Auckland and New Zealand wide trade industry publications, participating in the development of company website etc.) and general administration work including fax, print, scanning, replying to emails and transporting plans and other documents around Auckland. This was not a full time role as I was studying at the time.

The New Zealand National Party

Nov 08
During the 2008 General elections in New Zealand I worked for the National party as a part of their successful election campaign. I worked as a scrutiniser and in a promotional capacity, distributing party policy information and advertising.

This was a voluntary position.

Prior to 2007 I worked for a number of companies in Auckland on a part time basis whilst I was studying.

Education:

University of Auckland – 2005- 2008
Bachelor of Arts with double major in Political Science and Media Studies.

Takapuna Grammar School – 2000- 2004
Years 9 – 13/ forms 3 – 7. Passed 5th, 6th and 7th form NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement) with a merit average (65 – 80%).
Wrote for school newspaper and magazine.
Presented with class history award 2002.
Testimonials from Takapuna Grammar can be provided with hard copy.

Leisure Interests etc:

I have a strong interest in history and politics and I’m a prolific reader in these fields.

I’ve played a number of sports to a high level including cricket, rugby and golf. I played cricket for my home province of Auckland at under 15 and under 17 level. At Grammar school I played cricket for my school’s 1st XI and rugby for the 1st XV. I also played province wide pennants for my local golf club in New Zealand. I was captain of a number of these teams.

I also have a love of the outdoors and enjoy fishing and getting out into the mountains.

References will be provided on expression of interest