Kim Hill, known as the Queen of National Radio, is a New Zealand broadcaster who currently presents the programme Saturday Morning on Radio New Zealand National.
Background
Born and raised in Shropshire, the English county bordering Wales, Kim was just 15 when the family arrived in Otorohanga, and for a while, it was a bit of a culture shock. But gradually she adjusted, taking a BA in French and German at University (Massey and Otago) and then becoming a masseuse.
Kim was working as a barmaid, at the Sir George Grey hotel in Tairua, when she learned she’d been accepted for Canterbury University’s Postgraduate School of Journalism. Oddly enough, it wasn’t an easy choice for her to make - she’d enjoyed being behind the bar. But off she went, joining Radio New Zealand in Gisborne after completing the Christchurch course. A stint in Greymouth followed, as did a period writing for the Nelson Evening Mail and working for newspapers in the UK and Australia, before Kim arrived in Wellington to brandish her acerbic skills on the current affairs show, Checkpoint. Next came Morning Report, with Geoff Robinson, where she quickly gained a high profile for her probing, persistent style of questioning.
When Kim became the host of the daily morning programme Nine to Noon in 1993, it quickly became essential listening. In the nine years she was host, she interviewed thousands of people, and probably read as many books. Among her guests included the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Jeffrey Archer and Monica Lewinsky.
Kim began hosting the Saturday Morning show in 2002. This programme gives her the opportunity for expansive interviews with her guests - be they scientists, historians, theologians, psychiatrists, novelists, or just characters or high achievers - while also taking in some leisurely interests: food, classic literature and poetry, children's books and music.
Awards
In 2017, Kim was awarded a Gold Radio Award for Best Radio Personality: Network/Syndicated at the International Radio Program Awards.
In 2012, Kim was awarded International Radio Personality of the Year by the Association for International Broadcasting.
In 2006, Kim became a Companion of the Royal Society of New Zealand for her contribution to publicising science on her Saturday morning Radio NZ show.
In 2000, Kim was awarded a Bravo award by the New Zealand Skeptics for her interview of John Read, Director of Scientific Affairs of the NZ Psychological Society on National Radio.
An award winning journalist, Kim is an excellent event facilitator and MC bringing her interviewing expertise to get to the heart of the subject.
