Ngā Korero Rererangi Aviation Conversations:
The Last Secret Agent with Jude Dobson
Join Jude Dobson ONZM as she shares the true story of Pippa Latour in her biography – The Last Secret Agent, an iconic parachutist, morse code operator and operative behind enemy lines.
Spend an evening with award-winning documentary producer, WWI and WWII specialist, and best-selling author Jude Dobson as she shares the incredible true story of Phyllis ‘Pippa’ Latour, one of the few female undercover agents in WWII — featured in her novel The Last Secret Agent.
At age 101, Pippa finally told her story to Jude, leading to The Last Secret Agent, an instant best-seller released in April 2024.
Learn about Pippa's remarkable life as a covert special operations agent who parachuted into a field in Nazi-occupied Normandy, knowing instant execution awaited her if she was exposed. Pippa risked her life daily, sending secret messages as part of the SOE’s Scientist circuit. She kept her wartime bravery a secret for nearly 70 years—even from her family — before being honoured with France’s highest military decoration.
Set in the Aviation Hall, arrive early to explore the extensive collection of aircraft on display, which share stories of aviation technology and achievement in Aotearoa. Stop by the bar for a bespoke gin-sour Aviator cocktail while you take in the stunning surroundings of the hall. Doors open at 6:30pm Conversation starts at 7pm
Copies of The Last Secret Agent will be available for purchase on the night, plus an opportunity to get your book signed by Jude herself.
MOTAT is honoured to have this opportunity to host Jude Dobson ONZM to share the legacy of Pippa Latour as apart of the Auckland Writers Festival for 2025.
About Jude Dobson
Jude Dobson is an award-winning documentary producer and best-selling author based in New Zealand, with a strong focus on World War I and II. She explores history through the personal stories of those who lived it, spending extensive time with war veterans, an experience she deeply values.
One of the veterans featured, Pippa Latour, chose to share her previously untold story and their conversations led to the memoir The Last Secret Agent, named for Pippa’s role as the final surviving F Section agent of the Special Operations Executive (SOE). As one of the few female SOE agents in WWII, her story resonated widely, the book became an instant bestseller in New Zealand upon its release in April 2024, received critical acclaim in the UK in November 2024, and launched in the USA in May 2025.
Jude holds the film rights to Pippa’s remarkable story and is now adapting the memoir into a screenplay.