Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Producer and presenter of Spectrum

Almost 50 years ago, Jack Perkins began his radio career tying up bundles of acetate records to be sent to stations around the country. He’d been ordained into the priesthood of the New Zealand Broadcasting Service because he played cricket and classical piano fairly well, smoked a hookah pipe and sported a Harris tweed sports coat with leather elbows.

His first personal report described him as a “nice young chap” whose future did not belong behind the microphone.

But 12 years later, after toil in 2YA’s record library and notably under-performing in various administrative positions, Perkins found a way to get behind the microphone. Producer Alwyn Owen had started the Insight documentary series in 1969; three years later he and Perkins began Spectrum, with a brief to pursue human interest topics as a balance to the current affairs emphasis of Insight.

Perkins can recall many highlights from well over 30 years spent exploring the nooks and crannies of New Zealand life, but one of his most vivid memories comes from 1974 when he thought he had killed what was believed to be the last kakapo in the wild.

For Spectrum, he covers the North Island, south of Taupo.