When you’re turning half a century, but it lands right in the middle of winter sports season for four active kids, a low-key, whirlwind escape to celebrate (sans said children) becomes an appealing option. For Jesse – who turned 50 in August – that meant 24 hours with his wife Victoria, 45, flying to Arrowtown for a scenic hike, followed by a special dinner out, before heading back to Auckland.
Get to know the RNZ team: Nathan Rarere, Ingrid Hipkiss, Perlina Lau, Susana Suisuiki, Jim Mora and Emile Donovan
Jesse Mulligan
Host of Afternoons
Family life in full swing
“In our family, the calendar is so tightly locked in that everything requires planning down to the minute,” laughs Jesse,
who is dad to Hazel, 14, Daisy, 12, Felix, nine, and Scout, six.
“It’s hard to get 24 hours away from four kids, but thanks to my mum, who stepped in and minded things at home, we had a brilliant time.”
A birthday surprise
His whole life, Jesse had not-so-secretly wanted a pounamu (greenstone). But there is a belief that a person shouldn’t buy it for themselves; it must be gifted. So Victoria surprised her husband on his birthday with a beautiful Toki. A large, axe head-shaped pounamu that symbolises strength and bravery.
The time away also gave the seasoned broadcaster a chance to reflect on the busyness of life. It is currently dominated by kids’ sports.
A mindshift change
“There had been a few weekends when I kept thinking, ‘I’m not getting any time to myself.’ Hazel is an orienteerer, so it’s an hour just driving out to some far-flying forest for her to run around. “But then I had a bit of a breakthrough. I started to think of all this time driving and chatting in the car as quite a cool investment in my children, rather than a chore,” says Jesse, who’s also celebrating a decade on air as RNZ Afternoons host. “Since that mind shift, life has been much better!”
Turning 50
Turning 50, he says, was something he didn’t fear, nor was he in denial… mostly!
“I’ve had a couple of reunions recently – Hillcrest High School and a student radio reunion – and at both of those events, I looked around and thought, ‘Gosh, they’ve all got so old!’ Then realised they’re looking at me thinking the same thing! “I also think one nice thing about the combination of parenthood and getting older is you do tend to look out a bit and think, ‘How can I help the world?’ I feel a bit more purpose to stand up for what I believe in and do good, whereas in your thirties and forties, it’s just all about you.”
And as a dad of teenage and tween daughters, is his job on radio still cool in their world?
“I used to talk about my kids all the time on air and know that they would never hear it, but in the past two years when I’ve done that, I come home to one of the girls saying, ‘Ugh, Dad! Why did you say that thing about me on the radio?’ “I’ve realised they’ve reached an age where I should probably get their permission before ever talking about them.”
Life lessons on air
Jesse had also thought he’d never need to iron his T-shirt while working in radio. That was until he was called out on it by legendary singer and actor Cher during a Zoom interview earlier this year. He wished he could, ahem, turn back time.
“If Cher tells you to sort something out, you sort it out!” laughs Jesse, who was holidaying with his family in Northland when the unexpected news came that the 79-year-old would talk to him about her memoir.
“Most interviews I do, I have a set of scripted questions that I can divert from when the moment is right. With Cher, I approached it completely differently and when the Zoom connection came through, I put my list of questions aside. “I was just in the moment, enjoying 20 minutes of being with one of the most famous women in the world, who’s had this incredible life.”
Quick-fire questions
- Most pressure you’ve felt prepping for an interview?
When I interviewed [Dame] Jacinda Ardern. She had chosen us as the one RNZ radio show to talk about her new book. I felt like I had not only all of New Zealand, but every other radio presenter watching me, saying, “Get it right!” - What are your memories of your first day at RNZ?
I had to choose an album to feature, and I went with The Cure. As I left work that day, the receptionist said to me, “It’s great to have you here playing some modern music!” The album had come out 35 years ago. - If you could choose any three people – dead or alive – to interview, who would they be?
Jesus, Gandhi, Kim Hill. And the first question for all of them would be… “Would you like sparkling water or still?” – though maybe I’d put Jesus in charge of drinks.
Get to know the RNZ team: Nathan Rarere, Ingrid Hipkiss, Perlina Lau, Susana Suisuiki, Jim Mora and Emile Donovan
Nathan Rarere
Host of First Up
Next time you wake in the wee hours, check the clock and roll back over for another few hours’ snoozing, spare a thought for Nathan. The First Up host rises at 3am every weekday to be on deck for an hour of current affairs between 5am and 6am.
“It’s a pretty brutal time to wake up,” admits Nathan, 53, who is dad to Rylla, 17, and Darcy, 14.
“I’m grateful for my workmates who greet me cheerily each day, but I’m blaming the fast arrival of my grey hair on the hours!”
The former Ice TV star joined RNZ in 2020, and was “surprised and delighted to be around so many people who care about the craft of radio, as opposed to the more ‘instant hot take’ style I had come from in commercial radio”.
Nathan was in the hot seat in September 2022 when news broke that Queen Elizabeth II had died and wishes he could travel back in time to redo the broadcast.
“I was announcing it live on air but got cut off halfway through because the on-air desk got switched over to another studio. So I only managed to deliver the first half!”
Nathan hopes that journalism in New Zealand remains strong, saying, “fact-checked journalism as opposed to ‘reckons’ is hugely important”.
And his favourite piece of audio from the RNZ archive?
“The birdcall of the Riroriro [grey warbler].”
Quick-fire questions
- Morning or evening shift?
Evening. I’m an enthusiastic sleeper. - Best radio voice in New Zealand, past or present?
John “Sweeto” Sweetman. His voice is the polar opposite to how mine sounds. It’s glorious and rich, and he could even say the word “peanut” and it would sound important.
Ingrid Hipkiss
Co-host of Morning Report
First day jitters
When Ingrid joined RNZ in 2023, she was no stranger to a live broadcast. In her two decades at Newshub, she had done just about every job in the building. But all her experience couldn’t keep the nerves away when she turned up for her first day as co-presenter of the Morning Report.
“I think absolute terror sums it up,” admits the 52-year-old.
“I can’t remember much except for that very first moment, thinking, ‘Oh, my goodness, this is it, we’re on air.’”
Finding her morning groove
In the two years since making the move to radio, Ingrid has discovered she’s much more of a morning person, after years of presenting the late bulletin. She now loves receiving instant feedback from listeners while live on air.
“Radio is fantastic for its immediacy – we can get newsmakers on the phone right away and, for me, there’s nothing like three hours of live radio,” says Ingrid.
She’s found her feet now, but Ingrid admits she made a few rookie errors.
“I remember knocking the computer mouse under the desk, so I couldn’t click into the next story,” she laughs.
“I was supposed to be reading an intro but was on my hands and knees under the desk looking for it. That was never an issue in TV land.”
Morning magic with Corin and Nathan
But she wouldn’t have it any other way. She describes working alongside Corin Dann and Nathan every morning as one of the best jobs in the country.
“Corin and Nathan inspire me on a daily basis,” she enthuses.
“We are lucky to have a great rapport and chemistry, which is so important in radio, especially with our early starts.”
Carrying RNZ’s legacy
The mother of two is a lifelong listener of RNZ, so she understands the important legacy that she is a part of. She’s honoured to be a custodian and help herald the network into its next century.
“So many people have grown up listening to RNZ and it has been a constant for 100 years,” she explains.
“I remember starting the day with Morning Report back when I first became a journalist. For others, Saturday mornings are a religion and, of course, Checkpoint for the evening commute. “RNZ’s story is still being written and we’re all here adding another chapter. It’s a privilege for sure and I’m still working on the plotline.”
If anyone knows about the pits and peaks of working in media, it’s Ingrid, having worked in print, TV and now radio. Over the years, she has come up with four foolproof pieces of advice for budding journalists.
“Don’t let being an introvert stop you, learn from those around you, don’t watch the clock and be curious.”
Quick-fire questions
- If you could choose any three people – dead or alive – to interview, who would they be?
Maybe just three everyday people from 100 years ago, 500 years ago and 1000 years ago. Imagine the different perspectives, but also potentially the timeless issues we’d face. - Favourite Kiwi musician or band?
Bic Runga. - Best radio voice in New Zealand, past or present?
Our morning news presenter Nicola Wright.
Perlina Lau
Co-host of Culture 101
When it comes to culture and creativity – which is what her RNZ show every Sunday is all about – Perlina ticks all the boxes! Not only does she play cello and piano, she’s also starred in the popular web series Flat3 about three Asian Kiwi girls living in Auckland – as well as hit TV drama Creamerie.
Perlina, 36, says she felt at home from the moment she joined the national broadcaster in 2020.
“I’ve had so many people tell me they’ve grown up with RNZ,” she tells.
“It’s been a backdrop in their lives and now as adults, they continue to listen – it’s a source of comfort for them. It’s also where they’ll hear discussions and topics they don’t expect or haven’t heard about before.”
Perlina, who is of Kiwi-Chinese heritage, is particularly proud of Culture 101’s coverage of the opening of the newly refurbished Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery in Whanganui in November last year.
“It was the first time I’d done an outside broadcast as a presenter, and we spoke to all the artists, designers and curators. There was so much energy and buzz that weekend.”
Quick-fire question
- Morning or evening shift?
Morning. - Favourite Kiwi musician or band?
Fat Freddy’s Drop. - If you could choose any three people – dead or alive – to interview, who would they be?
Eddie Mannix, Tree Paine, Joan of Arc. - Best radio voice in New Zealand, past or present?
Kim Hill.
Susana Suisuiki
Presenter and journalist on Pacific Waves
Before she started as a presenter and journalist on Pacific Waves, RNZ Pacific, Susana was told no two days are ever the same – and it turned out to be 100 per cent true!
“Sometimes, in one week, I feel like I’ve travelled all around the globe,” says the New Zealand-born Samoan, 32.
“One day I’m talking to a Fijian NGO worker in Myanmar and the next I’m speaking with a Samoan nun at the Vatican!”
Susana’s first day at RNZ was Valentine’s Day 2022.
“Tonga was reeling in the aftermath of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption,” she recalls.
“I remember how dedicated the RNZ Pacific team was in their coverage – all this while still grappling with the pandemic!”
Quick-fire question
- News, features or interviews?
Interviews. - Three people – dead or alive – you would choose if you could?
Tulsi Gabbard, Pope Francis, Barack Obama. - Morning or evening shift?
Evening. - Favourite Kiwi musician or band?
Aaradhna. - Best radio voice in New Zealand, past or present?
Marama T-Pole.
Jim Mora
Host of Sunday Morning
Jim Mora and UK DJ and entertainer Kenny Everett?
Now there are two names you wouldn’t think would go together. But they have more in common than you might guess.
“Someone I knew used to get cassette tapes sent out from the UK of Kenny Everett’s show on Capital Radio,” says Jim, who had a long career in TV before making the jump to RNZ 20 years ago.
“I never cared much about what he did later on TV, but in those days, he used to seamlessly blend pop and classical music together. It was so clever, like musical magic. From then on, I was destined to try and create magical moments that most people might take for granted, but that someone listening might silently salute me for.”
From TV to RNZ
With his trademark wit, smarts and understated humour, Jim has been hosting RNZ’s Sunday Morning show since 2019. Before that, he had a 13-year run as host of The Panel.
On his first day at RNZ, he recalls, “The CEO came up to me and said, ‘You’ve never worked as hard as you’ll work here.’ I was working pretty hard in TV, so I thought, ‘What does he know?’ But he was right.”
One of his most memorable behind-the-scenes moments came when he interviewed American novelist Nicholas Sparks, whose debut romance novel The Notebook was adapted into a blockbuster movie starring Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling.
“He came into the studio prior to his interview,” Jim tells.
“He didn’t say hello. He held out his phone and he showed me what was on it. “It was a video of his point of view as he walked into what looked like a big shopping centre in Manila and went up the escalator. “Several thousand people gathered below had spotted him and were cheering him. I got the picture. He was a romance rock star.”
On the frontline of unfolding tradegy
While his shows at RNZ have had something of a magazine-style format, Jim has put his reporting skills to good use when major incidents have broken while he’s been on air.
“Like the second Christchurch quake,” he says.
“It was all hands on deck. It began for us, not with the dreadful building collapses, but with reports about shaking in Sumner and damage to the road. “Some tragedies unfold in media immediately. You anticipate the likely size of. Others grow shockingly as you report on them. You pretty well find out at the same time as people who are listening.”
The dad of three confesses there have been times when he wishes he could rewind the tape.
The moments he’d like to redo
“I once interviewed two violinists who were sisters. Twins, I think. I asked them how long they’d known each other. I would like to begin that conversation again!”
As for his hopes for the future of journalism and storytelling in New Zealand?
“That we keep trying to find the truth and not rely on our default settings of it.”
Quick-fire questions
- If you could choose any three people – dead or alive – to interview, who would they be?
Jesus, William Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth I. - Best radio voice in New Zealand, past or present?
Mike Baker, my first boss. He used to voice an ad for a product called Bisonboard and they nicknamed him “Bisonballs”. Deep voices were in vogue and I wished I had one.
Emile Donovan
Host of Nights
RNZ National’s 8pm to midnight host has come a long way since his days as an intern at the national broadcaster. At the end of his first week, a short news piece he’d produced played during the 10pm bulletin and he knew in that moment RNZ was where he wanted to be.
“My voice on the radio… I had a buzz for weeks,” he recalls.
The 33-year-old news buff still considers it a “huge privilege” to be part of the RNZ team. In 2016, he was a reporter in the newsroom and covered the devastating Kaikōura earthquake.
“We had no idea what had happened and it was very cool seeing all these journalists working together, piecing together in real time what had happened,” he enthuses.
“I remember talking to a fireman in Cheviot as he drove through the streets in his fire engine surveying the damage. It felt very meaningful.”
Quick-fire questions
- Morning or evening shift?
Evening. - News, features or interviews?
Interviews. - Choose any three people – dead or alive – to interview:
Lee Kuan Yew, Nora Ephron, Mozart. - Favourite Kiwi album?
I’ll Be Lightning by Liam Finn. - Best radio voice in New Zealand, past or present?
Kim Hill.
