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The Life and Times of a Brown Paper Bag
Biography of New Zealand journalist and television personality Kevin Milne.
- GenresNonfictionBiography
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 10, 2023
It hadn't occurred to me until I started reading this that I didn't really know much about Kevin Milne. He's always been a staple of New Zealand television, almost as familiar to me as a family member, so it was fantastic to learn something about him as a person. He is a very good writer and I found this book to be a wonderful read - funny, at times sad (I teared up quite a lot) and quite heartwarming. I also love the title!
March 14, 2011
The life and times of a brown paper bag – Kevin Milne
Kevin Milne’s memoir is not just about his life, but also a potted history of his 4 decades working in the broadcasting industry. Milne is probably one of the more well-known television presenters in New Zealand having spent 27 years with that good old consumer affairs programme, “Fair Go”. Battling on behalf of the little guy, taking on scammers, con artists, dodgy dealers and big business bullies, Kevin Milne has ended up in 2010, being voted the most trusted face on television.
The life and times of a brown paper bag gives us an insight into the cases (some of them hilarious) investigated by the Fair Go team and is a reminder of just how compelling, good investigative journalism can be.
Milne also opens up about his family and home life and his colleagues at TVNZ. A really good read – lots of laughs.
Kevin Milne’s memoir is not just about his life, but also a potted history of his 4 decades working in the broadcasting industry. Milne is probably one of the more well-known television presenters in New Zealand having spent 27 years with that good old consumer affairs programme, “Fair Go”. Battling on behalf of the little guy, taking on scammers, con artists, dodgy dealers and big business bullies, Kevin Milne has ended up in 2010, being voted the most trusted face on television.
The life and times of a brown paper bag gives us an insight into the cases (some of them hilarious) investigated by the Fair Go team and is a reminder of just how compelling, good investigative journalism can be.
Milne also opens up about his family and home life and his colleagues at TVNZ. A really good read – lots of laughs.
January 23, 2011
The is an easy read book about the journey of Television presenter and popular personality, Kevin Milne. He is well known from his many years on the Fair Go Programme.
It is filled with names, situations and locations that will be well known to the NZ reader. Good, fun and low key book which of course is exactly like the writer and his life. Excellent weekend read.
It is filled with names, situations and locations that will be well known to the NZ reader. Good, fun and low key book which of course is exactly like the writer and his life. Excellent weekend read.
January 12, 2012
Brilliant look inside the life of a broadcasting legend. I loved every page of this book!
June 1, 2016
An easy and enjoyable read. An sight into a period of NZ history through the eyes of a well-known and loved New Zealander with a great sense of humour and plenty of cheek.
February 9, 2020
Funny as. I loved it. Good to hear about the old days of TV in New Zealand.
April 10, 2024
Thanks Kev for this interesting memoir.
You were a staple of TV when I was young, and its great to read your story of how you got there, and discover along the way that you are what you appeared to be - genuine and straightforward.
I did find it ironic that the only person Kev did not have effusively kind things to say about was Bill Ralston, and guess who turned back up on our TV last night, talking about the latest media restructures? He looked as disheveled and weird as always.
I do wonder how Kev is taking the news that Fair Go is maybe leaving TV after all these years though...
Read over a handful of hours, this is engaging and easy to read.
You were a staple of TV when I was young, and its great to read your story of how you got there, and discover along the way that you are what you appeared to be - genuine and straightforward.
I did find it ironic that the only person Kev did not have effusively kind things to say about was Bill Ralston, and guess who turned back up on our TV last night, talking about the latest media restructures? He looked as disheveled and weird as always.
I do wonder how Kev is taking the news that Fair Go is maybe leaving TV after all these years though...
Read over a handful of hours, this is engaging and easy to read.
March 11, 2019
Well this was published 2010 I don't know if Fair Go ever investigated the plastic bag crisis, but now we are back to brown paper bags, hooray. About time.
Kevin Milne's life was fairly interesting, but I can't say I know all the people in media he name drops.
What I learned from this book, beware dodgy gypsy roofers and some insurance companies have zero compassion. Also you don't even need School Certificate to be a journalist.
Kevin Milne's life was fairly interesting, but I can't say I know all the people in media he name drops.
What I learned from this book, beware dodgy gypsy roofers and some insurance companies have zero compassion. Also you don't even need School Certificate to be a journalist.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews