What interested you about studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies?
Religious Studies was a bit of a happy accident. I'm not religious but took a first-year paper and loved it. Religion has shaped almost every part of our history in some way - art, music, architecture, law, philosophy, even town planning. I took papers in Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam and it was fascinating to compare how religion has shaped culture around the world. A special shout-out to Dr Mike Grimshaw - his lectures were a highlight of my time at the University of Canterbury!
You soon went on to broadcasting school and started a career in journalism. Reflecting on this, what is your favourite part of being in that industry? And what has been the most challenging?
My interest in journalism and broadcasting really started at UC's CANTA magazine and as a host and newsreader for RDU. After going to Broadcasting School, I went on to become a 1News and then Fair Go reporter at TVNZ. When the travel itch struck I moved to London and then Qatar for over seven years to work for Al Jazeera English. I've done everything from front-of-camera reporting in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and New Zealand, to producing and eventually ending up as Executive Producer of Newshub Live at 6pm.
I consider myself lucky that I've genuinely loved my career as a journalist - I work best under the pressure of deadlines and I love the constant learning of new subject matter and the camaraderie of a newsroom. Journos truly are some of the hardest-working and resilient people I know.
As for the most challenging moments - covering the Arab Spring and the wars in Gaza. The stories and footage we had coming into the newsroom were difficult to deal with. And right now, journalism is in its toughest phase of transformation.
Are there any stories you have covered that have stayed with you over the years?
All of it's very rewarding and challenging but some stand-outs: reporting on rhino poaching in Kruger National Park in South Africa, interviewing Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci in Paris, reporting from the Rift Valley in Kenya, covering the national election in the mountain kingdom of Lesotho and chasing a dodgy taxidermist in the central North Island on Fair Go!
