Photography: Babiche Martens.
Breakfast host Tova O’Brien has been in journalism long enough to expect the unexpected – but even she couldn’t have predicted how dramatic her first few weeks in the new role would be.
“I always hoped the show would get people talking and engaged but not necessarily to this extent,” she laughs, speaking to us at the Auckland home she shares with partner Cam Williams, their 18-month-old girl Ivy and Cam’s 10-year-old daughter.
It’s a Friday afternoon and despite another intense work week with gruelling 3am starts, she’s feeling good, especially about spending the weekend ahead alongside the people she loves most.
“It’s lovely getting to this point and knowing I’ve got the next few days with Bub unabridged,” smiles Tova,43.
“I value weekends so much more having a little one at home.”
It’s been a huge couple of months for the former Stuff political editor, who started on the high-profile TVNZ show on 31 March alongside co-host Chris Chang, and she’s loving the variety and pace. As one of this country’s most experienced broadcast journalists, the ex-Newshub and Today FM star is no stranger to tough interviews, yet even she couldn’t have foreseen what would come next.
PM pulls the plug on weekly slot
After three headline-making interviews with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Tova and the Breakfast team were stunned when he announced he would no longer appear on the show, cancelling the long-held Monday morning slot.
While she respects every politician’s right to choose who they speak to, Tova admits she’s still a little surprised by the turn of events.
“Our access to politicians in New Zealand really is amazing, which I don’t take for granted, but I do feel disappointed for our audience,” says Tova, who’s quick to point out she felt the same way when Dame Jacinda Ardern cancelled her interview spot with Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking back in 2021, albeit after four years, not three weeks.
“Part of the role of prime minister is communicating to people – giving them an opportunity to get to know them, to test their policies and understand what makes them tick. So yes, I do feel disappointed for the viewers who lose that opportunity to have time with the Prime Minister every week.”
Thriving in a high-pressure role
Her new gig is undoubtedly one of the most high-pressure roles in New Zealand broadcasting, but Tova’s loving every minute. She’s always admired the flagship show and after a tumultuous few years in media – including the shock closure of Newshub and the abrupt end of Today FM – she’s more than ready for this chapter.
“Breakfast shows, whether radio or television, are the dream because they reflect real life. We’re not any one thing – there’s variety, surprise and delight.”
And while three hours of live TV might terrify many, Tova thrives on adrenaline.
Finding energy in live TV chaos
She explains, “I love live broadcasts. I love live television and live interviewing. Even though I’m quite organised – I’m a Virgo, so I like structure – I also love the chaos within that. You can plan your interviews and have a clear rundown, but you never really know what’s going to happen. That’s the part I love.”
She also counts herself lucky to be working alongside Breakfast veteran Chris, who has provided “a korowai of support” as she’s learnt the ropes.
“Having him next to me means I can handle the wild and weird chicanes of the role. He’s such a steady presence.”
Tova rejects criticism she’s biased when it comes to politics and she hopes the PM will decide to return to Breakfast at some point.
Standing by tough but necessary interviews
“Some people might watch an interview with the Prime Minister and think it’s overly aggressive, while others say it’s too soft – it’s all subjective. Politicians are held to a high standard for a reason and it’s a shame when devil’s advocacy, the scrutiny of government decisions or testing policies are mistaken for something more partisan than it is. “It’s important that our show connects our audience with
a broad range of views and perspectives, so we’ll continue to invite politicians from all parties on to Breakfast in the lead-up to the election.”
There’s no doubt the hours required for the show are tough – she arrives at the TVNZ studios before 4am every morning. But the schedule works well for Tova as a mum as she can be home in the afternoons with her little girl Ivy, who was born 10 weeks prematurely in October 2024.
Motherhood and “the enormity of love”
Motherhood’s always been a dream for Tova, who was born in Papua New Guinea to a journalist mother and helicopter pilot dad, but she’s still blown away by “the enormity of love”.
She grins, “Ivy’s the centre of my universe and it’s just that overwhelming love that I’d never experienced before. I miss her when I’m not with her and even when she’s asleep, I’ll go to bed and watch videos on my phone of her!”
Ivy’s first 63 days were spent in neonatal intensive care at Auckland City Hospital. It was a traumatic and beautiful experience, says Tova.
Finding perspective in a NICU journey
“It’s such a double-edged sword being in NICU. It’s scary for a whole lot of reasons, but you’re blessed with this time, support and care that many news mums don’t get. We were looked after so well. It felt defining when we were in it, but now it’s just a part of the tapestry of her life. It feels like a long time ago.”
Thankfully, Ivy’s now thriving.
“She’s a little tank,” says Tova.
“You’d never know she was so vulnerable. Sometimes photos from NICU pop up and it gives me a fright. I’d almost forgotten just how tiny she was. It’s a real reminder of the fragility of life.”
Learning to trust the process of parenting
While Tova had planned on taking six months of maternity leave from her job at Stuff, she ended up extending it to a year – the idea of leaving Ivy was just too hard given her tough start. Tova’s partner Cam, a freelance camera operator, stayed at home for the first three months, before Ivy joined a local daycare centre. Tova admits she was nervous about leaving her, but Ivy took the change in her stride.
“They do this amazing thing called a transition of trust – short visits over a couple of weeks,” she explains.
“We’d come back after 10 or 20 minutes and she’d look at us like, ‘What are you doing here?’ She was having so much fun!” She adores Cam’s eldest daughter too. “She’s an incredible big sister – we’re very, very lucky to have these girls.”
With a busy year ahead – from the FIFA World Cup to a looming general election – Tova knows the pace won’t slow any time soon. But at the end of each long day, she knows exactly where she wants to be.
“Ivy’s in such an adorable stage. She has all these little words and she’s really into ‘huggles’ at the moment – she’ll put her arms out to ask for one and I just melt. I love being her mum.”
Watch Tova on Breakfast from 6am weekdays on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+.
