Kate Rodger is a dynamic and passionate film journalist, former Entertainment Editor, and Film Critic for what was formerly Newshub. For two decades, she was a primetime broadcaster, reviewer, producer, and presenter with TV3 NZ, bringing the world of cinema to audiences with energy, insight, and an undeniable love for storytelling.
Throughout her career, Kate has traveled the globe covering film premieres, awards ceremonies, and festivals, crossing live from the Oscars and BAFTAs, and reporting from Cannes, Toronto, Sundance, and Doha. She has interviewed Hollywood’s biggest stars, from Meryl Streep and Keanu Reeves to Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Nicole Kidman, as well as icons like Jason Bourne, James Bond, and Captain America. When the world pivoted during COVID-19, Kate adapted seamlessly, hosting Zoom Q&As and conducting virtual interviews with the likes of Angelina Jolie, Dame Helen Mirren, and Benedict Cumberbatch. Her hosting highlight remains an hour-long virtual chat with Eric Bana and the team behind The Dry, engaging with fans in real-time.
Beyond her screen presence, Kate is a tireless champion of local film and filmmakers. She has been a judge, host, and ambassador for various festivals, including the 48Hour Film Festival, Show Me Shorts, Tropfest, and the Documentary Edge Festival. She famously hosted the live-streamed world premiere of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies from London’s Leicester Square, reaching audiences in over 80 countries. She also took centre stage as MC of Disney and the New Zealand Film Commission’s Power of Inclusion summit, introducing keynote speaker Geena Davis. In 2018, her contributions to the film industry were recognized with the NZMPIC Industry Award for Excellence.
Kate’s work has extended beyond television, with film and travel writing for The Australian Women’s Weekly, Newshub Travel, and Island Time Magazine. She’s made regular radio appearances across RNZ, Magic Talk, and Radio Live, and co-hosted Newshub’s Post-Credits film podcast. She also became a familiar face on The Project, Three’s flagship current affairs show.
With the closure of the Newshub newsroom and brand, Kate embarked on a new adventure—rolling out her own brand, Kate Rodger Inc. No longer tied to a single network, she’s embracing the exhilarating world of freelancing—“kind of like the OG freelancer Boba Fett,” as she quips, “but without the helmet.”
A creative gun for hire, she has barely taken a breath, hosting back-to-back black tie awards evenings and industry conferences, panels, and Q&A's up and down the motu. She is back on the telly, filing in-depth entertainment stories for TVNZ flagship 7pm show Seven Sharp and reviewing films on TVNZ Breakfast. She is also the producer/host of the monthly New Zealand Film Commission podcast Lights, Camera, Kōrero.
She talks film on RNZ's Afternoons with Jesse Mulligan and is the new regular Sunday Afternoon nationwide host on Mediaworks top-rating network The Breeze. On top of her broadcasting commitments, Kate also took on the role of E-News Editor for WIFT NZ (Women in Film & Television) and has conducted bespoke media and presenting training days for executive staff in the arts and film sector.
She was also beyond stoked to be chosen by Dame Jacinda Ardern's team to interview the former PM via Zoom, a conversation that was played in cinemas across Aotearoa during the release of the box office record-breaking documentary "Prime Minister".
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Kate Rodger
Kate Rodger is the Newshub Entertainment Reporter and Film Reviewer. Her role takes her all over the world to cover premieres and awards ceremonies where she has interviewed some of the biggest names in film including the likes of Meryl Streep, Robin Williams and Angelina Jolie!Kate was absolutely awesome. She understood the event and the audience and added great colour and class to the overall event. Her pronunciation of the Maori words was fantastic, her ad-libbi ... keep reading Mystery Creek Events
Kate Rodger was simply the BEST MC I have ever seen! She effortlessly worked the crowd beforehand to gather injokes and weaved them in to her adlib monologues like a pro. So engaging, down to earth and magnetic... You will not find a better MC.. She's an absolute rockstar and won the room over in the first 30 seconds with her warm engaging humour.
Kate was a lifesaver coming in at short notice. Where a lesser MC may have struggled, she thrived. Did a truly excellent job, mastered the room and was a huge hit.
Kate was high energy, fun and a delight from the get-go. She really took the time to get to know us and our guests and made our CEO award nominees feel really special. Kate met with our team before the event to chat through particulars, allowing us to clearly define her role and the unique touches we needed her help to execute. We would have no hesitation in using Kate in the role of MC for future events.
Kate was fabulous for our event and I received many comments specifically about how well Kate facilitated the scientific panel sessions. She was very professional and well prepared and managed to keep to the brief. She was also very responsive and communicated well throughout the symposium.
Kate Rodger remains the best in the biz for all things Master of Ceremonies. Would recommend her for any and all events.
Kate was brilliant capturing the audience's attention at our event, as well as keeping the crowd under control which was exactly what we needed. When Kate arrived, she got straight into rehearsing herself and helped me feel completely at ease whilst we had other things to manage. Great to work with you Kate.
Kate was a breath of fresh air, she added a positive relaxed tone to the session. Great feedback from all guests on the event.
