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Newshub star Alexa’s new role allows her to get back in the saddle!

Having returned to radio and her rural roots, the award-winning journalist is living the dream
Alexa Cook with her horsesPictures: Eva Bradley.

When you’ve travelled the globe bringing the big stories to the small screen, it might seem hard to find a silver lining to a shock redundancy and moving home to live with the folks, but for former Newshub reporter Alexa Cook, it’s easy.

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RNZ’s new Hawke’s Bay/Gisborne regional reporter can’t believe she now gets to combine her two passions in life – news and riding her beloved horse Milly on the family farm.

“Fifteen years ago, I left the farm and sold my showjumping mare to fund broadcasting school in Christchurch,” tells Alexa. “Since then, it has been flat-out city life and I’m so excited that with my new role, I’ll be able to ride again, but still be at the sharp edge of current affairs.”

Having worked at RNZ after graduating in 2015 – followed by two years at the BBC in England and then four at Newshub in Wellington, during which time she covered big stories such as the King’s coronation and Cyclone Gabrielle – Alexa is excited to get back to her radio roots with all the advantages that come with that.

With her sausage dog
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“I love the immediacy of radio,” she explains. “When there’s breaking news, you go straight to air. You can get the information to people instantly, instead of waiting for a 6pm news bulletin. I feel like I’m being more myself presenting on radio and there’s more time to explore news over a three-hour show. Plus, of course, it’s great being able to turn up at 5am in jeans and a T-shirt. I’m used to TV’s heels and a full face of makeup!”

Alexa’s husband Jason Blanchard has joined her back at her childhood home in Central Hawke’s Bay. He selflessly transferred his civil engineering job to a base in Napier. “We’ve always worked as a team to develop our careers. I’m so grateful Jason was so supportive of our move,” she says.

It’s a full house for Alexa’s parents Julia and Bill, whose son Rowan lives with them too.

Alexa Cook sitting at a table with her family
Alexa’s back under the same roof with husband Jason, mum Julia, dad Bill and brother Rowan.
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Alexa tells, “It’s chaotic at times, but so special being able to have the whole family under one roof again. I’m so thankful to my parents for opening their doors to us.”

She and Jason got married at the farm three years ago. While the move back might seem perfect for starting a family, their careers are still very much the primary focus.

“We’re both from farms – Jason grew up at Danseys Pass in Central Otago. One day we’d love to bring up a family in Hawke’s Bay. But for now, we’re both really passionate about what we’re doing professionally.”

In the second half of January, Alexa will team up with her good mate and former Newshub colleague Paddy Gower to present RNZ’s Morning Report. She smiles, “He’s a lot of fun, a good mentor and we always have great banter.”

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Alexa Cook and Patrick Gower on set of Paddy Gower Has Issues
With her mentor and mate Paddy.

And while her focus will be on giving a voice to the people of Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne this year, Alexa is excited by the flexibility and possible opportunities that come from reporting for RNZ, and being a fill-in presenter.

“With radio, being in a region doesn’t hold me back,” she tells. “Travel is so easy these days. I’ll be popping to Wellington or Auckland to present, then on my days off, I’ll be in the saddle. I’m living my best life. I was devastated by the closure of Newshub because I loved that job and we were such a family. However, the work-life balance I’m now able to enjoy is something I’m incredibly grateful for.”

Alexa’s work reporting from Hawke’s Bay for Newshub after the cyclone earned her the title of News Journalist of the Year at the 2024 Voyager Awards. She was also a finalist for Best Reporter at the New Zealand Television Awards last year.

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Alexa Cook in front if the camera, reporting on Cyclone Gabrielle from a beach
Alexa’s award-winning reporting from Cyclone Gabrielle.

She believes there are still many stories that need telling almost two years on from the catastrophic weather event. The ability to be a voice for those without one is one of the most rewarding elements of her job.

Alexa misses the team element that comes from creating stories for TV and the adrenaline of weaving pictures into a story for a 6pm deadline, but the chance to spend her weekends on the farm and being back at RNZ have offset this loss.

“Being a country girl is a big part of who I am,” she shares. “I didn’t expect to be able to combine this with my passion for news and my career, so I’m absolutely stoked. I know 2025 is going to be a fantastic year.”

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