'Where Are They Now?' has returned, and on this week's episode, Magic Breakfast’s Mark McCarron caught up with Kiwi media and broadcasting legend, Tom Bradley.
His journey, spanning decades, saw him navigate the evolving media landscape, from early radio days in the 60s to a prominent newsreading role on New Zealand television.
To begin the chat, Tom reflected on his start at 19 years old in Palmerston North at 2ZA radio, calling it a “very interesting journey.”
He recalled, “They had just opened the announcer’s training centre in Wellington to whip announcers into shape… so they sent me there, and after six weeks, they sent me off to Palmerston North.”
Listen to the full chat below
His early days included pirate radio station Radio Hauraki, where, luckily, “I never had to go out on the Tiri. I recorded all my programmes on land and they sent them out on tape.” Tom was happy “to be one of the good guys and just be able to say I was there.”
Off the back of this, Tom recounted an interesting turn of events that led him to Australia, where he initially pursued a singing career.
After recording a version of ‘Fly With Me,’ no NZ stations except Hauraki would play it, so Tom headed to Australia: “Anything to do with Hauraki was the kiss of death, NZBC would not touch the record… so I tucked it in my luggage and went to Sydney.”
This led to appearances on shows like ‘Bandstand’ and a newsreading job on Channel Seven.
He returned to New Zealand after starting a family, asking himself, “Am I really enjoying what I’m doing here? Am I enjoying the cabaret circuit? No. Not particularly.”
Back home, he landed a Wellington radio job and then TV2, becoming part of NZ’s first “Twin City news tandem” with Philip Sherry, “one of the nicest people you could ever meet” and “a man of enormous generosity of spirit.”
He remembered some particularly moving moments, including the Mt Erebus tragedy and reporting on the LA riots in the 90s, when a photo of an injured truck driver who resembled his son “hit me very strongly”
Beyond broadcasting, Tom also ventured into storytelling for children, writing numerous books and scripting shows like ‘Buzz and Poppy.’
He attributes this talent to "the child inside of me writing the story," referring to his inner ten-year-old self, whom he calls Tommy.
“He sort of sits on my shoulder. And if I ever do any writing for children, it's this kid inside of me writing the story… I’m just going along for the ride”
Image from Sun Media
His TV career ended unexpectedly in 1998 when “They said, ‘Thank you, Tom. Goodbye.’ It was about as simple as that. ‘We're not going to be renewing a contract, there is no work, see you later.’”
Now retired, Tom enjoys early mornings, coffee, catching up on news, and working out in his home gym, calling it “all very retirement living at this stage. I’m absolutely loving it. Just enjoying the day and time with my darling wife.”
He’s also currently recording an audiobook of his memoirs, “having an enormous amount of fun,” quick to emphasise it’s “not done with the help of any artificial intelligence… just me and the microphone.”
Looking to the future, Tom hopes broadcasting and media “continue to be good and become great. And I hope it doesn't get lost along the way by other diversions in society.”
Tom’s journey is a testament to a life lived with passion, adaptability, and a deep connection to the world of broadcasting and storytelling.
Tune in to Magic Breakfast Tuesdays at 8 am, or listen on demand HERE, to catch up with more NZ stars of the past and see what they’re up to now.
