Kate Rodger
Although born to Kiwi parents, Kate Rodger was born in Suva, Fiji and lived there until she was four, before moving home to New Zealand. Kate went to Baradene College before heading down south to study radio at the Christchurch Polytechnic Broadcasting School.
Her first job was with Radio i in Auckland as a producer and announcer. From there she moved to Radio Taranaki as the breakfast news presenter, before coming back to Auckland to host her own show on Classic Hits.
She then spent four years with IRN News, as a reporter and breakfast news presenter.
Kate then flew the Kiwi coop, spending 8 years living in London and New York, where she held down a number of interesting roles, including working in a global communications role for a large investment bank (Credit Suisse First Boston).
She returned home in 2003, joining 3News as a reporter, presenter and producer, before moving into her dream job – 3News Entertainment Reporter and Film3 reviewer.
In mid-2010 she launched her own half hour local film show Reel Late with Kate, which ran for 35 episodes over ten months on the TV3 network to excellent ratings and gaining an avid and loyal following from Kiwi film lovers. The show will be returning in early 2012.
Through her growing TV3 profile, Kate has been asked to present awards at the WIFT and Music Awards, and has MC’d the MPIC annual awards dinner, the Howick Showcase Awards, and hosted her own inaugural film awards – The Visa Entertainment Screen Awards. She has a yearly lecture at Waikato University to the media studies students, and has acted as a judge and ambassador for many film competitions and festivals, including the 48Hour Film Festival, Show Me Shorts, and the Documentary Edge Festival. She also supports grassroots student filmmakers, judging films for media studies students at Baradene College, and mentoring students interested in careers in journalism and film.
Kate’s interests out of work are unsurprising. A self-confessed movie junkie, much time is spent in a dark cinema or plonked in front of the dvd player. To prove she actually has a life, Kate confirms she’s not allergic to the outdoors, in love with a good west coast walk, swim or horse ride. She’s also partial to the odd summer scuba dive and has been known to ski averagely in winter, always followed by a glass or two of yummy pinot in front of the fire (usually nursing bruises). She alleges she can play tennis although preferably with a G&T in hand, and will happily spend all day and every day either on or near the ocean. She also enjoys watching other people fish while she reads a good book waiting for the catch to be served off the barbeque.
A self-confessed bogan, Kate loves to drive, especially long-haul. Her ten year romance with her MGF British Racing Green sports-car just ended along with its engine, but she immediately fell in love again – this time with a brand new BMW Mini Ray. Her summer of motoring heaven is assured.
She is a firm supporter of the Breast Cancer Foundation, and any other charities that benefit breast cancer.
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