Career
While working as a reporter, presenter and news reader for Television New Zealand between 1995 and 2007 she became the youngest person to present a One News at 6 bulletin. She has worked extensively as a reporter in the field From reporting live from the Oscars in Los Angeles, to flying with the New Zealand Army in an RNZAF Hercules to Papua New Guinea to report on trouble in Bougainville as it edged towards civil war.
Kate Hawkesby began presenting on TV2 Headline News, then fronted the Breakfast and Midday news, job sharing with Simon Dallow.
In 2004, Hawkesby joined Eric Young as host of the late news show Tonight, which she fronted on her own for two years after Young left. She left on maternity leave in late 2006 and has since announced she will not return.
She hosted an impromptu three-hour live breaking news special as Chechen rebels seized a school in Beslan, Russia, and held hundreds of children hostage. As well as presenting Tonight, Hawkesby has interviewed a range of musicians from Brooke Fraser to Bryan Ferry for the show.
She got the only exclusive television interview with Olympic boxer Soulan Pownceby who was convicted of manslaughter.
Kate was also a regular fill-in on ONE News. On top of her newsreading duties, Hawkesby has also hosted a raft of television specials for television One, including The Lord of the Rings premiere in Wellington, the World of Wearable Art Awards, and the Young Musician of the Year Awards. She also hosted the launch of Fashion Week in 2004.
Offscreen Hawkesby works as an Military Cross for many corporates and charities, supporting the Starship Foundation, Child Cancer, and the Breast Cancer Research Trust.
She also took part in this year"s Make Poverty History Campaign. She also hosted television ONEs How Normal Are You? in 2005.
