John Hawkesby
John Hawkesby is one of New Zealand's best known and well known television personalities.
Winner of six Mobil Radio Awards for excellence in broadcasting and winner of awards for best TV presenter. Former news presenter for both One News and 3 News and host of It’s in the Bag. Since leaving the broadcasting industry, Hawkesby has been active in the NZ wine scene as a judge and reviewer.
John Hawkesby is a former news presenter for both ONE News and 3 News. He started his broadcasting career in 1972 when he researched and presented Radio New Zealand's "Reflecting On" programme. This programme achieved six Mobil Radio Awards for "Excellence in Broadcasting". In 1986 Hawkesby moved to Radio Hauraki and read the breakfast news. In 1977 he joined TV2 as newsreader and in 1981 presented the top rating Top Half regional news programme for TVNZ.
As well as presenting the news, John also hotsted the popular It’s in the Bag programme with co-host Hilary Timmins.. In 1992 Hawkesby moved to TV3 as newsreader and in 1995 and 1996 was voted "TV Guide's People's Choice "Best Presenter", and "Best Newsreader".
John now lives on Waiheke Island growing grapes and olives and is active in the wine scene as a judge and reviewer. In August 1997, Hawkesby published "Save The Last Dance For Me" and he has recently published his first wine book called 'Vintage -- A Wine Journey'. The rest of his time is spent performing MC duties which allows him to continue to engage with a live audience and he’s very much in demand for corporate and high profile events.
John was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours, for services to broadcasting and the community.