Isaac Gunson

Just a few short years after leaving high school and his hometown of Te Puke, Isaac Gunson is reporting the news for TVNZ Breakfast.

Isaac made the transition by studying broadcasting at Ara’s acclaimed New Zealand School of Broadcasting where the likes of Mike McRoberts, Jenny Suo, Mei Heron and Jack Tame got their start in the industry.

Isaac’s ambition to work in broadcasting came from his passion for people and storytelling. “I’d always acted, performed and emceed, so crafting and presenting stories felt like a natural progression. People are at the core of all the stories you’re telling – they're impacted by decisions big and small - and you have to care about them.”

Isaac says he found it surprising and exciting how practical his broadcasting degree was. “I loved how hands-on it was. You’re learning while you’re doing. You’re out there making phone calls, talking to decision makers and the people those decisions affect. You’re voicing bulletins on 96.1 and presenting the news on Metro News. At other institutes it’s all theory-based, so it felt like a real advantage to have had two years actually doing the job you want to do, preparing for it. For me that really set the course apart.”

Isaac encourages everyone thinking of studying to go for it. “Give yourself an advantage by going to Ara and doing a course that matters. I did and it’s a real honour to be able to do what I love.”