Kim Hill is an Iconic New Zealand broadcaster and formidable interviewer.
Born in the English county of Shropshire, Kim Hill moved to Ōtorohanga at age 15, adjusting to a new country and culture. She studied French and German at Massey and Otago Universities and briefly worked as a masseuse and barmaid — nearly turning down journalism altogether to stay behind the bar. But her acceptance into Canterbury University’s Postgraduate School of Journalism set her on a path that would shape New Zealand’s broadcasting landscape.
Her early career with Radio New Zealand began in Gisborne, followed by stints in Greymouth, and then time in print journalism in Nelson, the UK and Australia. Returning to RNZ in Wellington, Kim’s sharp mind and unflinching style earned her national attention on Checkpoint, then as co-host of Morning Report alongside Geoff Robinson.
In 1993, she began a nine-year run as host of Nine to Noon, where her fearless interviews and unrelenting curiosity made the programme essential listening. Over thousands of interviews, she spoke with figures like Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, Monica Lewinsky and Jeffrey Archer, consistently challenging ideas and expectations.
Kim has hosted Saturday Morning on Radio New Zealand National since 2002, where her long-form interviews delve into science, literature, politics, history and music. Her ability to explore complex subjects with wit and rigour has remained her trademark.
In 2024, Kim returned with a new podcast, Kim Hill Wants To Know, reigniting her passion for asking questions in her inimitable style. The series features conversations with guests from around the world, guided by the topics that spark her interest — and will undoubtedly spark yours too.
Over her career, Kim has earned significant recognition. She was named International Radio Personality of the Year by the Association for International Broadcasting in 2012, and won the Gold Radio Award for Best Radio Personality at the 2017 International Radio Program Awards. She is a Companion of the Royal Society of New Zealand, acknowledged in 2006 for her contributions to science communication. In 2019, she received a Paul Harris Award for the same.
Big thank you to Kim for her excellent facilitation for the Zero Waste event. There was a palpable sense of fun as well as liveliness to the discussions, which was a really welcome change fr ... keep reading Zero Waste Network
