Holmes

by Paul Holmes

Few New Zealanders have lived the last decade in the raw glare of the spotlight as Paul Holmes has. He works in the public eye, married in the public eye, and separated controversially in its same brutal stare. He is a broadcaster of strong views about the way broadcasting is done. He is known as a man who speaks simple, asks the questions people at home want answers to and does not boast about his meticulous research and reading of current issues. His Newstalk ZB Breakfast show is listened to by more people than any other radio programme in the country and his nightly television programme Holmes remains, after ten years, the most influential current affairs programme in New Zealand. Holmes is a broad-ranging, roller-coaster story of a life lived to the full, from Paul Holmes' early life on a 1950s tomato farm in Haumoana in Hawkes Bay to his becoming one of the most recognised faces in post-war New Zealand. Paul Holmes is a broadcaster distinguished by his range. He takes our senior political figures to task daily while maintaining the affection of New Zealanders for his common touch. He is a controversial man, admired by some for his direct and aggressive questioning, and condemned by many for the same. In Holmes he speaks of the years of learning his craft. New Zealanders knew little of Paul Holmes before the definitive night in 1989 when American yachtsman Dennis Conner walked out. The storm that raged made the Conner incident the most talked-about event in New Zealand television history and the New Zealand television history and the New Zealand public took both Holmes and Holmes himself to heart. Holmes is the story of a man who loves life and embraces people through the camera and the microphone as few have been able to do. This is the no-holds-barred story of the man radio and television professionals in New Zealand themselves acknowledge as our greatest broadcaster.

296 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

As well as being a consumate broadcaster, Paul can write and write well. His style has an immediacy that holds the interest. His frankness here reveals his honesty and humility as a man also. The colourful fellow is there too of course. An interesting and courageous life to date and well worth the trouble to find today.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should be a 4 1/2 stars.

I must admit, I'm not a fan of Paul Holmes, but this book allowed me to see him in a completely different light.

Readable and interesting. Not only is this an autobiography, but also an insight into the 1970s and 1980s in New Zealand and Europe.

[Carl Sagstad · Rating 3 out of 5]

He writes well and plenty of decent anecdotes, and seems honest about his part in the marriage break-up.
Probably too many details on Hinemoa’s interactions afterwards, given he describes her as a decent woman for not selling out and talking to the press about it. She sounds very decent, he really doesn’t to be honest.
Still it was interesting to learn about his journey and backstory.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say that I admired Paul Holmes and his journalistic insight. Well written, humorous, tender and leaves no stone unturned. However the last three chapters with respect of his affair were distasteful. The need to get it off his chest (at the time of writing) is obvious. However with time it comes across as vitriolic regret. Fantastic book overall. RIP Paul Holmes