We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.
Profile image for Kate Hawkesby

Kate Hawkesby

Presenter, Reporter

After studies in politics and a stint on English newspaper The Daily Express, Kate Hawkesby’s screen career began in 1995, with an internship at TVNZ. Over the next decade she reported from Bougainville to the red carpet at the Oscars. She presented for news bulletin Midday and became the youngest newsreader on the 6pm edition of One News — she was a regular fill-in presenter. In 2002 Hawkesby began hosting Breakfast (with future partner Mike Hosking), then fronted late night news slot Tonight for two years until 2006, when she went on maternity leave. She went on to six years hosting a high-rating morning slot on Newstalk ZB. 

I’m not sure if Kate is the right person to host a show called How Normal Are You? She is clearly not normal, and I mean that in the nicest possible way ... I think she’s got lots of quirky charm and I enjoy watching her. But she’s not normal enough to be asking that particular question. David McPhail reviewing the Kate Hawkesby-hosted How Normal Are You, The Sunday Star-Times, 1 May 2005