Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Host of Nights

Born in 1966 in Thames. Early years in Ngatea coincided with discovery of crop circles on the Hauraki Plains. There is no link proven.

As a toddler, had a tendency to wander. Often found playing with toy grader in middle of state highway two, or dropping stones into nearby Piako River. Early interest in Doppler effect.

Moved to Auckland in 1969. Discovers the tape recorder. Began producing variety programmes and radio plays with friends in bedroom studio. Destroys first tape recorder. Exposure to stereo technology at high school lead to more ambitious projects, such as a remake of the Hunchback of Notre Dame, as the Hunchback of K Road. School hi-fi out of commission.

Became a fully certified radio journalist in 1993. Sent to Dunedin to cover rural issues for Radio New Zealand. Subsequent posting in Wellington producing and presenting Saturday rural programme from 1995 to 99. Also works in news, Parliament, and produces documentaries. Third tape recorder dies in trenches at Gallipoli. Also trains fellow journalists in how to wreck tape recorders.

2001; decided to explore the Australian Outback. Convinced the ABC to hire him as rural reporter in the Northern Territory town of Katherine, despite lack of any sheep for 10,000 square kilometres. Mini disc recorder expires during monsoonal downpour. Helps to wake up the city of Darwin as Breakfast presenter.

End of 2004, began pining for a New Zealand summer. Returned to Wellington to host “Summer Nights” on National Radio. Nine months later Radio New Zealand decides to make weeknight evening presenting a permanent affair. Hires Bryan Crump on understanding he supplies own tape recorder.