Wasted in a war zone – Hooper-Newton

Wasted in a war zone.

After leaving the army, a Kiwi soldier’s life becomes a restless search for meaning, lived under the illusion of control through highly functional addictions — to risk, conflict, and substances. His journey spans the globe: humanitarian work in war zones of the 1990s, treasure diving, documentary filmmaking, surviving a tsunami, business ventures, and an unrelenting pursuit of adrenaline.

This is not an endorsement of addiction, but a testament to how surviving decades of chaos can ultimately forge purpose, identity, and hard-won wisdom from unforgettable experiences.

Written by Gavin Hooper-Newton, Editor Justine Warne, with contributions by various credited artists and photographers.