April Ieremia
Samoan-born but raised in Christchurch, April Ieremia joined netball's Silver Ferns at age 21. Later she captained the Kiwi team against Wales. After co-presenting Moro Sports Extra in 1993, she began hosting the sports section of TVNZ's primetime news. Ieremia helped cover the Olympic Games, and commentated netball and tennis. Her show April’s Angels screened in 1997. Since then Ieremia has presented lifestyle show April in the Afternoon for Sky TV's Living channel, and Choice TV's weekday magazine show Brunch, with Josh Kronfeld. In 2007 she competed on Dancing with the Stars.
Julie Christie
Julie Christie, DNZM, is one of New Zealand's most successful television producers. She built her company, Touchdown Productions, into the country's leading producer of entertainment television and exporter of programme formats. In 2006 she sold Touchdown to global company Eyeworks in a multi-million dollar deal; she stayed on as managing director until 2012.
Cathy Campbell
Cathy Campbell became the first woman in New Zealand to anchor a sports programme, after joining TV One’s Sportsnight in 1989. The longtime news and sports reporter moved into newsreading, and later ran PR and events company Cathy Campbell Communications. She died on 23 February 2012, after a two-year battle with a brain tumour.
Judy Bailey
Beloved ‘Mother of the nation' Judy Bailey fell for broadcasting while studying journalism in Wellington. After graduating she joined the NZ Broadcasting Corporation as a TV and radio reporter. In 1980 Bailey became a newsreader on regional magazine show Top Half, then co-hosted it with John Hawkesby. In 1986 she transferred to the revamped 6pm Network News. Initially she presented with Neil Billington, before kicking off an extended 15-year collaboration with Richard Long. Bailey has gone on to present Anzac Day coverage for Maori Television, and Prime TV series Decades in Colour.
Aileen O'Sullivan
Aileen O’Sullivan has helmed drama and documentary for a wide range of mediums. Her first screen job was an acting role in The Governor. After directing on Gloss and The Billy T James Show, O'Sullivan set up her production company, Seannachie Productions. She is a passionate advocate for telling NZ stories; her subjects have included writers Witi Ihimaera and Ngaio Marsh, and dance troupe Black Grace.