You have worked in several different countries, reporting in New Zealand, Japan, Indonesia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and most recently Canada. Was working internationally something you have always wanted to do?
Yes, actually, and I probably have UC to thank for that! I did a university exchange to Waseda University in Tokyo when I was doing my undergrad, and it really instilled a love of travel in me from the moment I touched down. Since then, I've taken off for several stints of travelling and living abroad, using New Zealand as an intermediary base, but in 2016 I left for good and spent 6 months hitchhiking through Europe, before finally settling in Dubai as a gateway to the Middle East. It's one thing to travel to a country, but it's totally another to work and live there -- being able to really soak up the culture, get to know locals and expats alike and experience a truly different way of life. Employers also like Kiwis on the whole -- we're known for our work ethic and positive attitudes apparently, which makes getting jobs abroad not as difficult as many might think.
What do you enjoy most about covering breaking news and investigative journalism?
I love the rush of being out there on the ground, being the first eyes and ears on a story and communicating it to the world. Journalism is considered the first draft of history, and it's something I really do believe in. We are also granted incredible access to people and places that are otherwise off-limits, and that's something not lost on me either. But, at its core, I love journalism because at this industry's heart is people, and the stories of people. I love hearing those stories and I love telling them; I love celebrating people who do incredible things and holding power to account. The latter is such an important aspect of journalism that I think people overlook -- democracy wouldn't exist without it. This is also a job that allows you to make a difference in the world -- if you do it right.
On the other hand, what are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in these roles?
With the rise of social media and citizen journalism, the line between real and fake news has definitely blurred in recent years. And it's becoming harder and harder to convince people that what they read on Facebook or Instagram or whatever might not be real -- or, on the flipside, that what they're reading IS real and that the mainstream media is not simply there to lie to them. There are plenty of conspiracy theories, false narratives and bad actors working against journalists these days, attempting to discredit our roles, and it's getting harder and harder to cut through that. That also works against us in terms of funding, we're having to fight for our jobs in an increasingly underfunded and understaffed industry. But I would also argue that in today's hyper-online world, there's never been a more important time for journalists to be there to tell real from fake and to ensure history is being documented accurately.
What has been your biggest career highlight or most memorable moment to date?
I spent 2022 reporting from the front lines of the war in Ukraine and that was undoubtedly the most rewarding year of my career. Being in the thick of such a rapidly unfolding situation, and one that the world so desperately needs to pay attention to, was personally very fulfilling. While the danger of being in a war zone is obviously something not to be taken lightly, I knew I had the ability to leave and go home to safety afterwards -- and that's not something the Ukrainians get to do. That was never lost on me. During my time in Ukraine, I broke some big stories. Most notably one about a dog shelter volunteer who was shot and killed in cold blood very early in the war (https://globalnews.ca/news/8661361/volunteer-death-kyiv-ukraine/) which travelled around the world, was covered by most of the globe's major news outlets, and shared by some of the most powerful people on the planet. It's those moments when you realise how important journalism is.
What brought you to UC to study your Bachelor of Arts in Japanese and Media and Communication?
UC had a great reputation as the best place to study towards a career in journalism in New Zealand, and I was looking forward to enrolling in the postgraduate diploma in journalism. Unfortunately, the earthquakes put an end to that the year I was due to enrol, but I'm nonetheless glad I chose UC for my undergrad because it was some of the most formative years of my life. The friends I made in the halls of residence there are still some of my closest friends, my lecturers left a profound impact on me, and Christchurch was a great base to lead an active lifestyle balanced between academics and adventure. My exchange to Tokyo also altered the course of my life, and I don't think I would have had the opportunity to do that elsewhere.
Any fond memories of your time at UC?
Too many to count! Tea Parties were a big one -- there's just something about getting dressed up and hanging out in a sunny park all afternoon with a few drinks, good music and your best friends. I loved O-Week and, honestly, anything social that involved going out and meeting people and blowing off some steam after some long weeks of studying. It might sound trite, but I think the social aspect of UC was just important as the academic side -- it really helped me grow as a person, become more outgoing, and generally gain some pretty amazing life experience.
