Profile

Purveyor of war stories
Mark Sainsbury is one of New Zealand’s most experienced and recognisable media figures. Spanning more than thirty years at TVNZ, and approximately five thousand interviews, Mark Sainsbury has stories for the ages – not to mention his moustache being named “arguably the most famous in the country”. Throughout his career, Mark has worked as Political Editor for One News, Foreign Correspondent for TVNZ, host of TVNZ’s popular current affairs show Close Up, and Morning Host for Radio Live. His work has earned him the title of Qantas Best News and Current Affairs Presenter three times. There are truly exceptional stories regarding exceptional people brimming at the surface of this delightful speaker.
Mission
Having been a talk back host, columnist, presenter and documentary-maker, it’s clear Mark has a passion for talking to people. Keeping his family life private, volunteering at the SPCA, running the New Zealand campaign for Men’s Health Week and occasionally taking on journalist jobs for the likes of the BBC and The Listener, Mark is at the stage of life where he is ready to share his extraordinary experiences and continue to engage with people directly.
Keynote
Mark Sainsbury was a part of Broadcasting and hard hitting journalism that saw the biggest shifts in the industry. From using satellites to send stories out, shooting on film, and flying to the source of every major story, Mark is the pinnacle of the golden days of journalism. He has covered every Prime Minister since Muldoon, encountered some of the most celebrated people in the world, from celebrity chef Rick Stein to Star Trek director William Shatner. Oh, and he once survived a near death experience in the Himalayas alongside Sir Edmund Hillary… more about that from him directly. Mark offers different perspectives on people who are in the public eye.
From his experiences in this wild broadcasting career, his known passion for cars with a 1963 Lincoln four door convertible, the time the King sent his own helicopter to pluck himself and Edmund Hilary out of Nepal, his corporate advice for CEO’s or his passion for leadership and character, Mark Sainsbury has it all. He offers light and shade, an abundance of humour, features video inserts and dives head first into his first hand adventures.
Pronoun
He/Him
Ethnicity
European
Location
Wellington, New Zealand
Skills
After Dinner Speaker, Compere/MC, Debator, Judge, Keynote Speaker, Live Performance Host, Panellist
Interests
Broadcasting, Current Affairs, Film & Television, Food & Wine, Interviews, Intrepid Travel, Politics & Advocacy, Satire, Sport, Travel
Speaking Topics
Business, Motivational Speakers, Politics & Advocacy
Social Links
Event Highlights
2022 | CEO Retirement Party, AA - MC | ||
2022 | NZAMI Conference, NZAMI - MC |
Testimonials (4)
Eric Cormack | Operations ManagerMark played a big role at our Annual Sponsors & Supporters Dinner and delivered an enjoyable, humorous, and extremely interesting presentation on New Zealand Prime Ministers from the 70’s till current, He was extremely professional, very accommodating, and just so easy to work with. Highly recommended.
Riccarton Park Annual Sponsors & Supporters Dinner
Canterbury Jockey Club Inc.