The Project‘s Patrick Gower has paid an emotional tribute to Newshub journalist and presenter, Emma Jolliff, who has lost her battle with cancer.
Emma, who was a co-presenter on THREE’s weekend politics show Newshub Nation, passed away on Thursday morning in Wellington. She is survived by her husband and two children.
Patrick shared with viewers that he had first met Emma on his first day working in television.
“I tagged along with her to learn the ropes and I became friends with her then and I’ve been good friends with her ever since,” he said.
“I just want to add to that she was an exceptional broadcaster. She had a beautiful voice but she was someone who had a whole lot of warmth. She was a really, really warm person and when I look back I can never think of her getting angry about anyone or saying a bad word about anyone.
“She was a truly warm person and I send all the love from all the people who worked with her in Wellington past and present in that newsroom to John and Ruby and Luca [Emma’s husband and children].”
Meanwhile The Project’s Kanoa Lloyd described Emma as “an awesome, awesome woman”.
In an email to Newshub staff which confirmed Emma’s death, Newshub news director Hal Crawford described Emma as a “fantastic journalist” who “loved telling stories”.
“She considered it an honour to tell people’s stories, and she did it so well,” he wrote.
“Emma was such a lovely person, a real positive presence in the newsroom and a thorough professional.
“I have had many messages today from all over the media and political spectrum, and they all mention Emma’s love of story and fundamentally good nature.”
She was “dear to us”, he said.
Joliff had worked for MediaWorks for 13 years, since 2007, most recently as a co-host of weekend politics show Newshub Nation.
THREE’s head of digital Cathy O’Sullivan took to social media to say it was “a very sad day for the @newshubnz team”.
“Rest in peace Emma. You will be greatly missed.”
