AUT student journalists live on TVNZ
In a collaboration started in 2025, third-year journalism students have been producing stories for TVNZ Breakfast. The students identify relevant stories, do all the research, interviews and pre-production, and present them live on air, either in a live cross from AUT’s newsroom, or in studio at TVNZ.
Associate Professor Merja Myllylahti says the students have shown real resilience. “Recently a team of students; Gaby Lilley, Eva Perese-Wood, Elena Abbott and Kyla Blennerhassett, reported on controversial amendments to the Crimes Act. They secured an interview with Minister of Justice Paul Goldsmith and produced a timely news report that was broadcast on national television.
“To top it off Gaby and Eva joined Breakfast hosts Tova O’Brien and Chris Chang live in the studio to discuss the story. I’m very proud of this next generation of journalists.”
The collaboration is the perfect culmination to the student’s degree and a wonderful introduction to the realities of the industry.
“It is wonderful to see how editorial leaders at TVNZ coach the students, providing valuable suggestions and advice,” says Myllylahti.
Laura Tupou, Auckland Reporters Team Leader at TVNZ, says the students absolutely smashed it. “From the first meeting this group of AUT students were brimming with ideas and enthusiasm. They had a deep understanding of the issues that matter and would resonate with not just young people, but the wider Breakfast audience. Their commitment to reaching people via email, phone, and face-to-face conversations was impressive. And their willingness to put in long hours, collaborate closely and take on feedback was central to the project’s success. The group ultimately delivered a broadcast-ready Breakfast-appropriate two minute story and then confidently answered questions about it in studio. They are an exceptionally driven cohort, and their training and education at AUT has clearly instilled in them the importance of a strong fourth estate.”
Dr Greg Treadwell says seeing the students put what they’ve learnt into practice is gratifying. “Working directly with TVNZ’s Auckland newsroom, led by Laura Tupou, is a real test for our students. Being able to research and produce the story with TVNZ’s mentoring allows the students to observe the day-to-day practices of news production, which will be invaluable as they enter the workforce.”