Geoff Hicks is Chief Scientist at the Department of Conservation. A marine biologist by training, with a deep love of New Zealand's High Country and coastal environment, he is passionate about communicating scientific ideas to nonscientists and the way science contributes to better policy and decision-making. He was Concept Leader Natural Environment at Te Papa at its establishment and was responsible for creating the Museum's hugely successful natural environment exhibitions – including ‘Awesome Forces’, on which this book is based.

Hamish Campbell is a renowned geologist and palaeontologist specialising in ancient rocks and fossils and the Chatham Islands. A senior scientist with GNS Science and Subject Expert – Earth Science at Te Papa, he is the author of numerous papers and books for popular and specialist audiences.