Pictures: Amalia Osborne.
After years of bringing stories to life from the field, seasoned Stuff journalist Imogen Wells is thrilled to be spending more time behind a desk now she has landed her dream job as weekend newsreader for ThreeNews.
“Fifteen-year-old Imogen would be screaming from the rooftops,” laughs the bubbly presenter, 31. “Television has always been my true love and getting this job is a total pinch-me moment.”
Packing boxes surround Imogen the day she chats with Woman’s Day, while she and hubby Matt Gibbs, 36, who works in commercial property, prepare to upend their lives in Wellington to move to Auckland – Imogen did her first stint behind the news desk on 15 February.
“It’s a big ask for any couple to move cities for one person’s job,” admits the former Newshub reporter. “But from the moment I got the call, Matt has been my biggest cheerleader. He knew if I wanted to keep pursuing broadcasting, Auckland was always going to be on the cards at some point.”
For Imogen, the transition is a homecoming. She moved from Auckland to Wellington six years ago for her journalism career. Now she’s returning with a husband she met in the capital in 2020 after their mutual hairdresser set them up on a blind date.
“Matt has lived in Wellington nearly his whole life, so this is a big move for both of us,” she says. “Six years in a city as an adult is enough time to really put down roots and find your community. We always thought Wellington would be it for us, so this shift is huge.”
It was only a few weeks after their dreamy Hawke’s Bay wedding and Arrowtown honeymoon that Imogen got the life-changing job offer.
“I was wrapping up my last day at work before going on annual leave over Christmas when I got the call,” she tells. “They said, ‘How soon can you be in Auckland?’ Suddenly, our summer wasn’t just about relaxing. It was about planning a massive move. It’s been an absolute whirlwind!”
Shifting into Imogen’s family home in Auckland, which was empty after her parents had relocated north to Whangaparāoa, has made the move a little easier.
“Having that space to land while we figure out our long-term home is such a blessing,” she shares. “It gives us time to settle into the city without the added stress of house-hunting right away.”
Also making the shift to the City of Sails was the couple’s cute eight-year-old Griffon pup Bean. Imogen smiles, “Our friends who know Bean have felt worried about how he’ll take the move. But as long as he’s with his mum and dad, he’s his happiest.”
And conveniently, one of her siblings runs a dog-walking business.
Being close to her family is another bonus of moving north. Imogen enthuses, “Sunday dinners are finally making a comeback!”
Meanwhile, in her new role, Imogen is continuing the legacy of her former Newshub co-stars Samantha Hayes and Laura Tupou, who is switching to weather presenting so she can spend more weekends with her family.
“Sam and Laura have been amazing colleagues and mentors to me. They have set such an incredible path and I feel so lucky to be following them down it. Sam is someone who has inspired me and who I’ve looked up to for a very long time – and that’s having the same hair colour aside!”
Imogen feels thrilled so many of the Newshub team are at ThreeNews. “It’s really like coming home,” she enthuses. “The camaraderie and the energy are truly magical. I’m so excited to be going back in that newsroom.”
Along with reading the weekend news, Imogen is spending three days a week in her other happy place – reporting in the field.
“I can’t wait to start covering some of those big news stories and hopefully being deployed overseas again too. Covering the Paris Olympics last year for ThreeNews was fantastic.”
As for what’s next, Imogen and Matt are looking forward to putting down new roots in Auckland. They’ve also discussed starting a family.
“We’re in no rush, but it’s definitely on the horizon one day,” smiles Imogen. “For now, we’re focused on getting settled, enjoying this new adventure and probably eating our way through Auckland’s restaurant scene. That’s the real challenge of moving – where shall we eat first?!
“Seriously, though, my new job is a dream come true. Every single step I’ve taken in my career has led to this moment and I couldn’t be more excited.”
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