Greg McGee was born in Oamaru in 1950 and educated at Waitaki Boys' High School and Otago University, graduating with an LLB in 1973. His first play, Foreskin's Lament, was workshopped at Playmarket's first New Zealand Playwrights' Conference in Wellington in 1980 and subsequently presented by every major New Zealand theatre company. Foreskin's Lament was described as "a quantum leap forward in New Zealand drama" (NZ Listener).
McGee, a rugby player for the South Island, a Junior All Black and an All Black triallist, wrote with special authority on the rugby world, but also presented a penetrating analysis of New Zealand society and its values.
He continues to write not only for stage, but also film and television. He is a past President of the New Zealand Writers' Guild.