The Star: July 11, 2024

AFTER A multiple sclerosis
diagnosis, Christchurch-born
Sam Smith had a drastic career
change from dentist to comedy
writer – and now author.
Smith studied dentistry in
Dunedin, graduating in 2009,
while writing and performing
stand-up comedy on the side.
Fast-forward five years into
practising at a dental clinic, and
Smith developed a partial vision
loss. He was later diagnosed with
MS.
His diagnosis meant he could
no longer work in the industry,
which called for a quick pivot to
pursuing comedy fulltime.
“I know it’s not the case for
everyone but in a way, MS was
the best thing that happened to
me,” Smith said.
He has made waves within
the comedy realm, writing
for some of Aotearoa’s most
popular shows including 7 Days,
Taskmaster NZ and Wellington
Paranormal. He sings, acts, plays
music, and was a contestant on
The Traitors NZ.
And he has just published his
third book.
“I find it difficult to read with
my eyesight, but still wanted to
read my kids bedtime stories.
So, for my son’s third birthday I
LIBRARY customers with adult
membership can now place
holds free of charge.
The change took effect on July
1, following its acceptance in the
city council’s Long Term Plan.
Previously adults had to pay $2
per hold.
“With free holds now
available for adult members, this
means no one now pays for this
service, said city council head
of libraries and information
wrote him a poem and thought
I’d read it aloud before bed,”
Smith said.
“I ended up sending it through
to my mum who’s a librarian, to
see if she had any notes, and she
liked it so much she sent it on to
her literary agent.”
After that, it all fell into place.
A book was pitched to publishers
Hachette, and in 2022 Smith became
a published author with his
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Carolyn Robertson.
Youth and concession members
have had free holds for
more than 20 years.
It is one of several changes implemented
within Christchurch
City Libraries over recent years,
designed to reduce barriers and
promote equity of access.
Fines were removed from
overdue material in 2022 and
hold fees reduced from $3 to $2.
Over the next year, the library
‘MS was the best thing
that happened to me’
first book Snake Brought Cake.
“This really is a homecoming
for me, putting my hobbies, skills
and experiences all in one,” he
said.
Smith published his second
book Don’t Scare The Dentist in
February 2024, and has just published
his third, Miles and Jones
The Anaconda Attack.
“The aim is to continue down
this career path. I love writing,
had a 10 per cent increase in
the number of new members
compared to the previous year,
the number of issues increased
4.2 per cent, and there was a 16
per cent increase in people using
the hold service.
Adults will be limited to 15
holds. Robertson said wait
times for popular books might
increase, but holds would be
monitored closely and buying
patterns adjusted if necessary.
PHOTOS:
NEWSLINE
putting stories down on paper
and making them funny.
“I try to think what I would
like if I were still a kid and make
my words comedic while trying
to connect with them.”
Join Smith at Tūranga this
weekend for a storytelling
journey of Don’t Scare The
Dentist, and the first reading
of recently published Miles and
Jones The Anaconda Attack.
Thursday July 11 2024 The Star
NEWS 3
In Brief
Library book holds now free for adults
Peketa campground
to remain open
Kaikoura’s Peketa
Campground will remain
open after site owner Ngāi
Tahu confirmed local iwi Te
Rūnanga o Kaikōura will take
over operations. It follows
months of speculation that
closure was imminent, with
permanent residents fearing
they’d be left homeless.
Nearly two years ago, Ngāi
Tahu gave notice to former
operators Rex and Ruth
McCaa, citing environmental
risks from outdated
wastewater infrastructure.
Ngāi Tahu group head of
strategy and environment
Jacqui Caine confirmed
short-term measures to
comply with Environment
Canterbury requirements
will be implemented, while
viable longer-term wastewater
options are investigated.
Body found in
downtown Chch
A body has been found near
the Avon River in the central
city. Police were called to
the intersection of Churchill
St and Cambridge Tce at
about 6.30am on Monday. A
spokesperson said the death
was not being treated as
suspicious.
Benny’s Hangar dream
over for barber
Benny’s Hangar, an ambitious
Christchurch indoor
entertainment venue dreamed
up by local barber Ben Scott
to offer the likes of archery,
axe throwing and mini golf,
has gone into liquidation. Two
companies of which Scott is
sole director – Benny’s Hangar
Ltd and Benny’s Barber Shop
Ltd – went into liquidation
on Friday, though the barber
shop will continue under
new owners with Scott as an
employee. A liquidator has
been appointed to the two
companies, but is yet to make
a report. Scott tried to raise
$750,000 for his entertainment
centre through PledgeMe, but
the campaign closed with a big
shortfall.
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