DAVID HARTNELL’S ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW WITH MIRIAMA KAMO I think Miriama Kamo is the best New Zealand TV presenter since Angela D’Audney and Judy Bailey, her presentations are always so professional and her pronunciation is impeccable. She is one of the nicest people both on and off screen. FAVOURITE HOLIDAY TO DATE? I tend to have ‘learning’ holidays, ie: I rarely go anywhere just to relax. So, the last incredibly fulfilling holiday I had was to Cambodia where my partner Mike and I sat in on the war crimes tribunal and the first trials of former Khmer Rouge commanders. It was a time I’ll never forget. We also visited Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia in the same trip. We also travel to Germany fairly regularly. Last year I enrolled in a fulltime month long language course – it was a wonderful time! FAVOURITE KIND OF BREAD? I’m not big on bread. I try to stick to gluten free breads – there’s a wonderful seven grain gluten free bread at Harvest Wholefoods which I love. ANY PETS? We have a wee dog called Flo, or Floey. We actually named her Florence Elizabeth, thinking it’d be hilarious hearing the vet call her name out in the waiting room. But she’s only ever really been Floey. She’s gorgeous, and is well known around our neighbourhood – we like to think it’s because she’s so cute, but actually her fame might be as much to do with her unfortunate yapping habit. Bring on the dog whisperer! WHAT TV SERIES WOULD YOU NEVER MISS? I’m also a bit of a sucker for ‘Desperate Housewives’. IF YOU HAD A FRAGRANCE LINE, WHAT WOULD IT SMELL OF? I love ylang ylang, lavender, and the natural peachy smell of my partner Mike. FASHION WEAKNESS? TK Store in Ponsonby, and just about anything designers Mena and Kiri Nathan create. BEST THING IN YOUR HOUSE? My family and puppy Floey – but if we’re talking inanimate objects, probably an antique couch we bought off Trademe. WHAT IS YOU GREATEST REGRET? Shona MacFarlane (artist and personality) once said to me ‘spending time on regret is my greatest regret’ – she’s right, it’s a terrible waste of time, and I’m far too indulgent of it!
IF NOT BROADCASTING WHAT OTHER CAREER PATH WOULD YOU HAVE TAKEN? I dabbled with the idea of being a Pulitzer prize winning author – sadly, it just didn’t take.
YOUR BIGGEST SELF-INDULGENCE? Food, it’s my greatest expense and most indulgent pleasure.
WHAT DRIVES YOU? My family, I want them to be proud of me. And I want to be an example to the younger members. The mortgage and my desire to travel are good drivers too. And my work, I’ve been really fortunate in my career and have been offered some wonderful opportunities. Right now, I front TVNZ7’s News at 8 bulletin, which has offered some of the most growth giving and professionally satisfying experiences of my career. It’s an excellent hour long commercial free nightly bulletin with interviews on TVNZ7.
HOW DO YOU HANDLE FAME? I don’t have an overwhelming burden of it, so, rather easily. WHAT STAR SIGN ARE YOU? Libra – I am the walking definition of it. Always striving for balance, so often lacking in it. IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I’m pretty happy with who I am, faults and all. I would do something about my sweettooth though if I could, but it’s the chocolates fault – it’s just too good!
I also front Sunday on TV One, which is an unparalleled privilege. When you are given these opportunities you are driven to do your best, which tends to make for a very happy career and life. (DAVID HARTNELL) PN
HOW BIG IS YOUR TELLY? I’m not sure, it’s a flatscreen, but not one of those really big ones. We bought it from my sister last year after going three to four years without one. FIRST JOB? I had a paper-round, every day after school I delivered The Star in south Brighton. THE BEST THING IN YOUR TV STUDIO? I love our TVNZ studios, I feel familiar with every part of what I’m allowed to touch/ wrangle. And it’s filled with people I enjoy working with. IF YOUR HOUSE BURNT DOWN, WHAT WOULD BE THE FIRST THING YOU’D GRAB? Apart from the family and puppy, it’d probably be my computer which is stocked with all our photos.
12 PONSONBY NEWS+ August 2011
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)