Lucky You're Tough | Mark Law; Ron Crosby

Lucky You're Tough chronicles the early life of helicopter pilot and NZSAS soldier Mark Law, from growing up in the rural wilds of Whangamomona through to surviving a series of life-threatening events that would shape his life and career.

After a career as a badged soldier in the NZSAS that led to an intriguing stint with the British SAS and then working as private security in active war zones, Mark returned to New Zealand to start his own helicopter business, Kahu NZ.

It was on a sunny day off on December 9, 2019 when he got the call that White Island was erupting. All those years of service and expertly trained instincts led to a split-second decision: Mark and his Kahu NZ colleagues would fly to the erupting volcano to rescue any survivors they could find.This daring rescue mission would ensure that Mark and the other pilots were able to comfort the injured, as well as to fly those 12 stranded survivors off the island, after they were left there when authorities announced that no official rescue would be coming. Mark's decision led to himself and his fellow heroic pilots being awarded medals for bravery by the New Zealand government, with Mark receiving the New Zealand Bravery Star, the country's second highest bravery award.

Within 12 months of the Governor General presenting his medal, however, his one-man company was landed with a six-figure penalty from WorkSafe related to its past tours on Whakaari. The decision to lay those charges made a year after the eruption outraged New Zealand and led over 140,000 Kiwis to sign an online petition asking the government to drop the charges. They didn't.

From Whangamomona to Whakaari, Lucky You're Tough is a story of service, adventure, humour and resilience, and surviving when the odds are against you.

Mark Law is a former NZSAS member and helicopter pilot, and the CEO of Kāhu NZ. He received the New Zealand Bravery Star for his work in the rescue mission on Whakaari/White Island in 2019. Ron Crosby has written several books, including the histories of the NZSAS: NZSAS: The First Fifty Years & Keep Calm We Are Coming, Te Kooti's Last Foray and The Musket Wars. He was also a member of the Waitangi Tribunal for over a decade. He shares a deep interest in the Urewera with Mark.