Paul Patrick

Paul was always great with words – speaking and writing!  At school his love of the English language was fostered by the four “H’s” – Ms Hawe, Miss Harvey, Mr Hodge and Mr Harris.  Paul credits these people for his successful career over the past three decades.

At school Paul gained SC in five subjects, and was accredited UE.  Paul left school midway through the 7th form to follow his passion – first with a wonderful cadetship at the Matamata Chronicle under the wise guidance of Gaye Belton and Harry Baker before gaining his Journalism Certificate at what was then Auckland Technical Institute (now Auckland University of Technology) in 1985.

At school he was a keen, but decidedly average hockey (2nd XI) and basketball player, played clarinet in the school band, school productions (South Pacific and a couple of Variety Performances)  and was a member of the Senior Class Executive in 1984.

After journalism school, Paul spent five years working for Radio New Zealand in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland.  In 1990 he travelled to London at Worldwide Television News (now known as APTN) and held that job for three years.  In 1994 Paul returned to Television New Zealand and his final position there was Editor of Daily Programmes.

Paul has now crossed the ditch to work for Network TEN in Sydney as Director of Network News – a new city, a new challenge in increasingly difficult times for the media industry.

Paul said of his major achievements post school – a big mortgage, a lovely wife and two kids – amounting to suburban utopia!!